Unbeatens Naperville North and Wheaton North will be looking to give each other the runaround Friday night when they clash in their DuPage Valley Conference opener.
Five of the league’s most talented rushers will hit the ground running at Harshbarger-Welzel Field on the north side of Naperville.
Wheaton North is powered by Andy Cvengros and 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound A.J. Harris, who is being recruited by Michigan, Purdue and Iowa. In last week’s 14-12 victory over Simeon, Harris ran for 173 yards and one touchdown.
The Falcons (2-0) also have been inspired by popular senior defensive back Dave Ryan and his courageous battle against brain cancer. Ryan didn’t go out for football as a junior, instead devoting himself to weightlifting and strength conditioning. He had grown to 6-1, 180 pounds and was expected to contribute on special teams and in the secondary. He was diagnosed with his illness over the summer.
“Everything in our program pales in comparison to this,” said Wheaton North coach Matt Foster. “Dave is your typical high school football player who just loves being out there. We’re all pulling together and pulling for Dave. He had a message for the rest of the team: `If you think you can’t go any harder–you can.”‘
Naperville North (2-0) is ranked third in the Chicago area and boasts a trio of potential game-breakers in its double-wing attack. Steve Sarm, Corey McKeon and Mike Costantino can all cover 40 yards in 4.48 to 4.5 seconds and may be the fastest running-backs combo in school history.
“We stress to all our backs that they’ve got to be blockers and receivers as well as running backs,”said Naperville North coach Larry McKeon. “My son Corey has already caught a 50-yard TD pass and Costantino a 30-yarder.”
Naperville North hasn’t had many long drives because its defense has produced 10 turnovers. Safety Brian Vavruska has three interceptions and middle linebacker David Choi has four fumble recoveries.
“I’d have to say the defense is ahead of the offense right now,” McKeon said.
That’s saying a lot, considering the Huskies’ offense has 90 points and 785 yards in its first two games. Then again, Naperville’s starting defense has yielded only one touchdown.
