Heart and teamwork. These two elements will lead the mighty Orange and Blue to victory Friday night over the Redhawks of Naperville Central.
“We’ve really come together as a team, more than last year,” senior linebacker Jon Boyajian said. “This year we’re playing it for [Kevin] Hahn and Jurj [senior running back Bill Jurjovec].”
Hahn is out until at least Oct. 20 with a sprained ankle suffered against Glenbard North. Jurjovec broke a foot on the opening kickoff against Wheaton North. He is to return just in time for the playoffs Oct. 27.
“There’s a real good mix of guys,” Naperville North head coach Larry McKeon said. “The seniors and juniors aren’t jealous of each other for playing time.”
The heart shown by the Huskies is easily seen on the field. Game after game, the offensive and defensive line square off against bigger opponents. This never has daunted North. The team has given up only five sacks to the opposition in seven games.
A great example is senior Mike Polachek. At 5-foot 8-inches and 185 pounds, he doesn’t appear to be the most daunting of offensive linemen. Once he’s on the line, however, no one gets past him, with his combination of speed, heart and love of the game.
Heart and teamwork have done great things for Naperville North. The offense is among the most potent in the state with 2,657 total yards and isled by senior quarterback Jay McCareins.
McCareins has connected with senior wide receiver Andrew Gordon 20 times for six touchdowns this year, and his speed and mobility have helped him run the ball for 340 yards. Add to this the two-pronged attack of junior running backs Steve Sarm and Mike Roney, and defenses can have headaches trying to adjust.
North knows it will go up against what many consider the best linebacker corps in the state but it doesn’t seem to care.
“We’re just going to go out and play the best football we can,” McKeon said. “We aren’t going to change to accommodate them.”
On defense North looks even better. Led by Boyajian and senior linebacker Steve Kasperski, the Huskies have limited opponents to just 112 points, allowing only 15 in the second quarter. Fronted by senior defensive lineman Justin Bartl and Chris Lance, Kasperski and Boyajian have access to the backfield to pressure the quarterback.
When the ball goes in the air, the secondary of senior Jeff Hartman, junior Brandon Anderson, and sophomore Corey McKeon go to work. The trio has had 64 tackles this season, with one of the team’s three interceptions belonging to Anderson. The Huskies’ defense has caused 11 fumbles and only allowed their opponents to retain two of them. This has allowed McCareins and crew onto the field with the chance to control the clock.
Then you must look at the intangibles.
“When I look at the crowd, seeing all of the painted faces, it just feeds me,” Boyajian said. “There’s nothing like the sight of seeing all of your friends with their faces painted and your number on their shirts.”
The North crowd surely will be behind this team and at the game in force, already riled up from homecoming last weekend. With tailgating already planned by North students, it’s a sure bet Boyajian and the rest of the team will have much to feed from.
“They [the Huskies] aren’t the biggest football players on the field, or the most talented,” McKeon said, “but they have the most heart. They want it the most”
