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Sports

Murphy Praises Warriors After Fast Start

Waubonsie beats Central in season opener.

The Warriors' defense overwhelmed Naperville Central's offense in Waubonsie Valley's 21-7 win Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

Three juniors created turnovers while junior tight end Troy Fumagalli had two catches for 90-yards and two scores as the Warriors (1-0) beat a Redhawk team that defeated them the last two meetings.

On his second run from scrimmage, Waubonsie senior running back Austin Guido (12 rushes for 55 yards) zipped a 37-yard touchdown run, producing a 7-0 Warrior lead in the first two minutes.

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“Good start,” Waubonsie Valley head coach Paul Murphy said about the first drive. “In 35 years of coaching, I never had a better, clockwork drive.”

The Redhawks went three and out on the next possession, but Central junior defensive lineman Cody Campbell sacked Waubonsie senior quarterback Mitch Stefani the next drive.

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Waubonsie junior linebacker Austin Lacke recovered a fumble from Naperville Central senior running back Matt Randolph (20 rushes for 98 yards) in the second quarter to steal the Redhawks' momentum. However, defensive back Pat Clark picked Waubonsie senior quarterback Mitch Stefani's (7-for-11 for 144 yards) pass to wake the crowd, but Warrior junior linebacker Luke Roth intercepted Lewandowski  shortly after.

In the third, the Redhawks (0-1) opened an eight-play drive with a pass interference and Lewandowski’s first completion for a first down. However, Lewandowski missed senior wide receiver Sean Goblet in the open field, missing a touchdown opportunity.

Stefani then hit Fumagalli for a 69-yard tally up the middle to make it 14-0.  Randolph gained a couple of first downs, but Lacke sacked Lewandowski to force fourth down. The two Warriors' connected again late in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard tally on a seam route.

“I was just executing that play in practice all week,” Fumagalli said. “I was just thinking getting six. My line did a great job blocking today. All I did was run.”

Central’s one triumph came on a post route when junior wide receiver Blake Butler caught a 55-yard touchdown from Lewandowski.

“It was a play we ran at the end of the first half,” Lewandowski said. “We noticed the cornerback break off the longer I held the ball. They bit on the No. 2 guy when I hit Blake.”

Lewandowski was held to 3-for-8 passing with 72 yards, a touchdown and two picks. 

“We were hit low all night and they did a great job tackling,” Lewandowski said. “They had man coverage and did a great job. We missed some open shots.”

Murphy said he was excited about his team's effort.

“We left two touchdowns on the field in the first half when our defense played its butt off,” he said. “Despite some things we need to clean up, I'm happy. We want our kids to be exhausted at the end of 48 minutes because we want their full effort after the 48 minutes are done.”

 

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