Naperville North’s Defense Strong in 14-10 Win Over Thornton

Friday’s game between and Thornton came down to the last drive, but the Huskies’ defense came through.

Naperville North’s secondary held Thornton junior quarterback Jason Towns to five incomplete passes in the final seconds as the host Huskies beat the Wildcats 14-10.

The secondary was key in forcing Jason Towns (12-21, 195 yards and a touchdown) to five incomplete passes, including the concluding two attempts.

“I thought our defense did a better job tackling and they were more physical,” Naperville North head coach Sean Drendel said. “When you are playing a great team like Thornton, you’ve got to play well. We were hitting more in practice this week to be ready for their physical play and it showed today.”

In the fourth, leading 14-10, the Huskies started position at Thornton’s 41, but the Wildcats’ defense held to five yards in three rush attempts. North was going for it on fourth-and-five, but a foul start forced the Huskies to punt.

Despite having 10 offensive penalties, Naperville North (1-1) was able to get senior running back Danny Puknaitis going as he had 173 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.

However, senior punter Ron Coluzzi pinned the Wildcats to their own 4. 

Jason Towns had two completions for 33 yards to junior receiver Jamal Towns and a face mask had the Wildcats driving to North’s 40.

Husky senior linebacker Tim Davis tackled Jason Towns to make it fourth-and-four. Thornton decided to go for it, but Jamal Towns was stopped a yard short with fewer than four minutes remaining.

Thorton got the ball back with 1:23 left. North junior defensive lineman Ryan Wilson sacked Jason Towns and the Huskies’ secondary forced him to throw five incomplete passes.

North senior quarterback Tyler Gehr hit junior tight end Zach Martin on a 15-yard strike up the middle for a 7-3 lead in the second quarter’s opening minute.

The next possession had Puknaitis trucking the Wildcats’ defense with a 42-yard scramble to the Wildcats’ 1. Puknaitis scored the next play.

“We started off with that huge run and the biggest thing was the push up front,” Puknaitis said. “Once we had the push up front, it was all downhill from there. The momentum carried us through the whole thing and it was just constantly moving the defense and hitting your blocks.” 

Late in the second, Thornton senior wide receiver Jamel Frazier (three catches for 106 yards) nabbed a 79-yard strike from Jason Towns to close the game to a 14-10 North advantage. 

The Wildcats managed a field goal during their initial offensive drive. 

Naperville North senior defensive back Mike Wisner had a solid first quarter as he broke up three passes, preventing Thornton sophomore tight end Isaiah Polk and senior wide receiver Michael Easter from scoring on consecutive plays. 

“I saw it in the corner of my eye and I knew it was do-or-die time,” Wisner said. “I just had to get him into a corner and stop a touchdown. I knew it would’ve changed the game if they scored and I’m glad I could stop it.”

Note: Naperville North’s sophomore team beat Thornton’s 35-8 before the varsity contest.