Naperville Central football vs. Lyons Township Class 8A playoffs score, news, our picks, live coverage – Shaw Local

Naperville Central faces Lyon Township in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Class 8A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive editor Josh Welge has live updates, scores and news from the game.

What you need to know

Kickoff Naperville Central vs. Lyons Township: Friday 7 p.m

Where: Lyons Township High School

A taste of Naperville Central-Lyons Township

About the Redhawks: Naperville Central defeated Fremd 31-28 in the second round, a game in which the Redhawks jumped to a 24-0 halftime lead and then held off a furious Vikings rally. The Redhawks are in their first quarterfinal since 2017. Naperville Central’s lone loss came in Week 9 against No. 1 seed Lincoln-Way East. All-State defensive lineman Jack Stanish is the anchor of a defense that has played five of 11 defensively competitions has allowed single digits. Aiden Clark is the Redhawks’ key offensive player. Clark rushed for 165 yards on 35 carries with a touchdown in the win over Fremd. Clark has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Gavin Wade had a 55-yard interception return for a TD against Fremd. Senior QB Sebastian Hayes has returned to lead the Redhawks after missing both his sophomore and junior years with torn ACLs. He threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns against Fremd. DeShaun Williams, a St. Francis recruit and transfer from Indiana State, had nine catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.

About the lions: Lyon, in its second quarterfinal in three years and third in school history, has gone unchallenged in two playoff wins, 38-0 over Joliet West and 63-20 over Downers Grove South. All-State receiver/back Travis Stamm, an Illinois State recruit, continued his sensational senior season with the win last week. Stamm had eight catches for 159 yards and three touchdowns, and also intercepted three passes, including his second pick-six of the season. Dom Pisciotti threw for a career-high 327 yards and five touchdowns in the win and Danny Carroll rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns, including a 98-yarder. Lyon defeated Naperville Central in a 2022 first-round match en route to a quarterfinal appearance. Lyons is aiming for its first semifinal appearance in program history with a win.

Progress: Winner faces the winner of No. 27 Warren (7-4) at No. 14 York (9-2)

FND choice: Naperville Central

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