Naperville Central’s momentum from Friday night did not carry over to Saturday’s restart of a game suspended by lightning.
The Redhawks fumbled at the Waubonsie Valley 1-yard line when the game resumed, leading to a touchdown by the Warriors. After that, Waubonsie’s defense shut down the defending Class 8A champions.
The Warriors forced four fumbles, returned an interception for a touchdown, intercepted another pass in the end zone and had several pass breakups and tackles for losses in a 20-6 season-opening win.
Chris Fenley recovered the Redhawks’ first fumble. The Warriors followed with an 80-yard, eight-play drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown run by quarterback Zack Bennema for a 7-0 lead with 6 minutes, 17 seconds left in the first quarter.
Waubonsie’s defense forced another fumble near its own goal line early in the second quarter and later broke up two Redhawks’ passes near the end zone.
No. 6 Naperville Central (0-1) got on the board on a 26-yard run by quarterback Conor Joyce at 3:41 in the second quarter, but trailed 7-6 following a fumbled snap on the extra-point attempt.
No. 18 Waubonsie Valley (1-0) extended its lead to 13-6 with 37 seconds left before halftime on a 25-yard interception return by Nick Horn. After an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Warriors, the extra-point kick was blocked by the Redhawks’ Cameron Conners.
Tony Durns sprinted 54 yards down the left sideline for another Waubonsie score with 4:27 to play in the third quarter and a 20-6 lead. Warriors linebacker Luke Marzano recovered two fumbles in the second half and Max Ihry intercepted a pass in the end zone to thwart a late Redhawks drive in the fourth.
Players of the game: Waubonsie Valley defense, 4 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, 2 sacks.
Key performers: Waubonsie Valley — Tony Durns, 16 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD; Zack Bennema, 11 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD; Luke Marzano, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 sack. Naperville Central — Kevin Clifford, 20 carries, 120 yards.