Neuqua Valley’s Will Chevalier has a style of running that yearns for open space to provide the full range of his distinctive moves.
Indeed, the senior running back proved to be electric and elusive in multiple phases Friday night.
“When I have room in front of me and I have a chance to make a guy miss, it’s that old saying,” he said. “You never want to let one person take you down.”
Excelling as a runner, receiver and return specialist, Chevalier scored two touchdowns as Neuqua notched an historic 27-6 victory over Glenbard North in both teams’ season opener.
The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Chevalier scored on runs of 17 and 2 yards as Neuqua (1-0) jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter.
He ran 18 times for 85 yards, caught two passes for 48 yards and exploded for a 63-yard punt return in the third quarter that set up a 17-yard TD burst by sophomore running back Armani Moreno.
“I like the juke and spin moves,” Chevalier said. “At my size, I am not going to run through too many people. I am going to be shifty.”
The Wildcats defeated their former DuPage Valley Conference rivals for the first time in their 21-year history.
More Top Picks Best Portable Monitors For Students
Last season, Glenbard North beat Neuqua 24-14 in Week 9. The Wildcats suffered through a three-game losing streak to finish 5-4, ending a state playoff run of seven straight seasons.
Glenbard North (0-1) is now a member of the new DuKane Conference.
Senior linebacker Jacob Boumans knew the history.
“They beat us last year,” he said. “And we have been preparing for this game all summer.”
Boumans keyed a dominant Neuqua defense that produced three turnovers and eight plays of negative yardage. The Wildcats limited Glenbard North’s offense to 89 yards.
Boumans scored his first career TD on a 22-yard interception return after senior safety Grant Pashkowsky tipped the ball. It gave the Wildcats a commanding 20-0 lead at halftime.
“I just followed the ball and I was blessed enough to catch it,” Boumans said.
Boumans’ fumble recovery in the first quarter also set up Chevalier’s 2-yard TD run.
Making his first career start, junior quarterback Mark Gronowski completed 8 of 11 passes for 108 yards. He connected with Chevalier for a 46-yard play.
“At first I was nervous and had butterflies, but once we scored on those first two possessions, everything settled down for me,” Gronowski said.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.