Sports
Hail Mary! Wheaton-Warrenville South Shocks Naperville North
Wheaton-Warrenville South 24, Naperville North 21. Receiver Brandon Moore saved the Tigers from a 1-3 start with a 47-yard TD catch with no time left. The Tigers rallied from a 21-6 halftime deficit.
Breaking it Down: For almost the entire game, the Wheaton South Tigers were playing catch-up. Naperville North went on the attack in the first half. Running back Kendall Veluvolu scored on a four-yard rush on the Huskies’ opening drive.
After a Tigers touchdown early in the second, Huskies RB Desean Brown scored on a 27-yard TD catch up the middle and a 29-yard run in the second to give the Huskies a 21-6 lead at the half.
The Tigers responded on defense in the second half, stifling the Huskies’ run game and taking advantage of six second-half penalties by the Huskies. The Tigers cut the Huskies’ lead to 21-12 in the third on a 1-yard run by Brandon Adams. The Tigers scored again on a 1-yard run from Jesse Padalik with 6:12 left in the fourth.
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With less than 40 seconds to go and no time outs, Wheaton went on the attack and got to the 47-yard-line with less than five seconds left. Tigers quarterback Ryan Graham, scrambling on the final play, threw a Hail Mary. Receiver Brandon Moore came down with the ball and made a quick turn for the end zone. He managed to stay upright into the end zone for a 24-21 walkoff win.
Patch’s MVP: Brandon Moore, Wheaton-Warrenville South. His incredible catch gave the Tigers a much-needed shot in the arm. He had three receptions for 81 yards.
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Naperville North Stat Pack: Running back Kendall Veluvolu had 17 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown. Running back Desean Brown had eight carries for 50 yards and four receptions for 44 yards. He had a rushing and receiving TD to go along with his balanced attack.
Wheaton-Warrenville South Stat Pack: Running back Brandon Adams had 11 carries for 34 yards and two rushing TDs. Fullback Jesse Padalik had seven carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. He also had three receptions for 38 yards.
Quotable I: Wheaton-Warrenville South receiver Brandon Moore: “I’m still seeing the ball in the air. Still going through the motions. It was incredible.”
Quotable II: Wheaton-Warrenville South coach Ron Muhitch: “We needed a jolt like this. We needed a victory that meant something to us as a team and I’m very proud of the way they played tonight.”
Team Records: Wheaton-Warrenville South is 2-2 and 2-0 in Dupage Valley Conference play. Naperville North is 1-3 and 0-2 in the Dupage Valley.
What’s Next: The Huskies play at West Chicago on September 21. The Tigers play at Naperville Central on September 21.
Scores of Interest: Wheaton North crushed West Chicago 52-0. For more scores, go to ihsa scorezeone