Wildcats Run Over Huskies in Season Opener

Joey Rhattigan couldn’t wait to get the 2011 season started and it showed.

The junior running back ran for 161 yards on 32 carries and scored four times in the Wildcat’s 37-23 triumph over Naperville North at Neuqua on Friday. This was only the second time in school history that Neuqua (1-0) has beaten North.

Just before he spoke to reporters, Rhattigan excused himself saying he needed to do something first. When he returned he had his offensive linemen and fullback. One by one he introduced them.

“Without these guys here, I couldn’t do any of this and they deserve some recognition,” Rhattigan said. We win games by power running and I have these guys to thank for that,” Rhattigan said. “They (North) have a great line and they are good team, but we wanted to show them that we were better.”

Neuqua got the ball in great field position to open the game as the Wildcat defense snuffed out a fake punt and made North turned the ball over on downs on their first possession. Rhattigan then went to work and on his second carry of the game he broke two tackles and then bounced toward the center of the field. The junior showed off his speed as no Huskie could catch him on his 39-yard touchdown score. Before the night was over Rhattigan would add touchdown runs of 1, 2, and 5 yards.

“He (Rhattigan) is just a great back and when he’s not running the ball he is out there blocking for the other backs,” Wells said. “We just beat a good team that has great offensive and defensive lines. I’m proud of the way our kids came out and played tonight, and I’m excited that we can go out and beat North and (Naperville) Central in the first two weeks.”

The Wildcats had the first two scores of the game and led 13-0 midway through the first quarter sending the standing-room-only crowd at Neuqua Valley into a frenzy. However North would settle down and put Neuqua on its heels by scoring 16 straight points. Danny Puknaitis ran the ball in from two yards out then the Huskie defense came to life forcing a safety. On the ensuing drive, Dominic Imburgia ran the ball in capping off a 14-play drive in which all the plays were runs.

Neuqua regained their composure and scored the next 17 points including a field goal as time expired in the first half and a 36-yard touchdown pass from Nate Boudreau to Jeff Evak.  

“They (Neuqua) came out there and outworked us and played harder. Sure our offense was good at times but they were better. They were just better,” Huskies coach Sean Drendel said. “Neuqua is the team that I thought we were going to be.”