Naperville Central Wins Regional Title with Dominating 25-0 Victory

UPDATE: In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, the Naperville Central Redhawks shut out the Glenbard West Hilltoppers 25-0 to capture the regional championship on Wednesday night. Senior star Malia Shen made headlines with two pivotal touchdown catches, propelling Naperville Central to a decisive victory that secures their spot in Monday’s South Elgin sectional semifinal against Willowbrook.

The game, held in Naperville, showcased a defensive masterclass from the Redhawks, who dominated throughout the match. “The defense locked down,” said Redhawks coach Caroline Schwartz. “We had a good game plan. We made a bunch of adjustments, and it proved to work out in our favor.”

Early on, a 26-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Lyla Hope to Shen set the tone for the night, marking the first score of the game just seconds into the second quarter. Shen reflected on her performance, stating, “When it got deflected, I just had to think for a split second and then just tried my best to react as fast as I could.”

The Hilltoppers, holding a strong season record of 17-2, struggled to find their rhythm. A promising drive was abruptly halted when Redhawks defender Bella Eaves intercepted a pass from Glenbard West quarterback Shelby Bobroff. The turnover allowed Naperville Central to extend their lead to 13-0 with 3:09 left in the first half, thanks to a 2-yard touchdown pass from Hope to Mena Bartolucci.

Despite their earlier success this season, including a 20-7 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South, Hilltoppers coach Stephanie Brezwyn acknowledged the challenges faced against the formidable Redhawks. “We had a good night before but struggled to get things clicking tonight,” she said. “They’re a very good team with a lot of speed and athleticism.”

Shen’s second touchdown, a remarkable 31-yard reception following another deflected pass, came with 8:53 remaining in the game and solidified Naperville Central’s dominance at 19-0. “Malia is just so amazing,” Hope praised her teammate. “Her hands are so good, and she’s so fast. She literally can do anything.”

The Redhawks sealed the victory with a 1-yard touchdown run from Hope after another interception, this time by Nicole Smith. “It feels good,” Smith said, expressing excitement for the upcoming challenges. “The girls are just great, the coaches are great. We all work really well together.”

With this victory, Naperville Central improves to 16-3 for the season and looks ahead to the sectional semifinal against Willowbrook. As they prepare, the focus will be on building momentum and maintaining their stellar performance.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Redhawks as they aim for further success in the postseason.