It was as if the ball was waiting for Isaiah Robertson to run all the way upfield to greet it, slipping in and out of hands until the Neuqua Valley senior was in position to scoop it up.
The bounces went the Wildcats’ way all night, though it didn’t hurt to have multitalented players like Robertson.
Robertson, a Notre Dame recruit, turned a fumbled punt snap into an improbable early touchdown and made big plays in all three phases as No. 5 Neuqua Valley took command of the DuPage Valley Conference on Friday with a 35-20 victory at No. 13 Naperville North.
“A lot of things went our way and we’re glad to get this win,” said Robertson, who left midway through the third quarter with hamstring tightness and did not return.
“This was the moment we needed to capitalize on to solidify our standing in the DVC. This was the other undefeated team.”
It’s no wonder Robinson’s speed is put to use on Neuqua’s punt-return unit, but his touchdown was a first.
More Top Picks Best Portable Radios
Lined up to return a punt by Naperville North (5-1, 4-1) on the game’s first possession, Robertson never got the chance because the snap was mishandled.
The ball squirted around before he picked it up cleanly around the 20-yard line and sprinted to the end zone to give the Wildcats (6-0, 5-0) a lead they never relinquished.
“I was back deep,” Robertson said. “I was just watching. It went over the punter’s head and I kind of jogged. I kept seeing the ball moving around so then I started sprinting and when I got there it was still moving around.”
In the first half alone, Robertson added a circus catch that extended Neuqua’s second scoring drive, a touchdown-saving tackle and a pass break-up on a long fourth-down attempt as the Wildcats took a 21-7 lead at halftime.
North had a chance to tie late in the third quarter before Neuqua broke it open in the fourth.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
Player of the game: Isaiah Robertson, Neuqua Valley, 20-yard fumble return TD; 3 receptions, 55 yards.
Key performers: Neuqua Valley — Jake Eskoff, 6-11 passing, 142 yards, 2 TDs; Donald Navarro, 3 receptions, 87 yards, TD. Naperville North — Cross Robinson, 25 carries, 115 yards, 2 TDs.