Collins returns from injury to help Naperville North end 16-year playoff drought

Naperville North secured its first football playoff victory since 2010 on Friday night, beating Fremd 38-31 behind a strong return from junior running back Jayke Collins. The Class 8A first-round contest at Harshbarger-Welzel Stadium in Naperville remained undecided until the closing seconds, when the Huskies stopped the Vikings near the end zone.

Collins, who broke his collarbone in Week 5, rushed for 135 yards and scored on runs of 8 and 70 yards. He said the Huskies’ bye provided additional recovery time and helped prepare him for his return. After spending time watching from the sideline, he entered the game determined to contribute. “But I’m back, better than ever,” Collins said.

The victory improved 13th-seeded Naperville North to 8-2 and set up a second-round matchup at fourth-seeded Oswego, which is 9-1. Charlie Neumann, Brendon Wickert and Victor Tyson also scored rushing touchdowns for the Huskies. Jack Zito added eight receptions for 72 yards as Naperville North kept pace with Fremd through a game of repeated scoring drives.

Fremd held a 10-7 advantage after the first quarter, with Kale Peterson delivering a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and led 17-14 at halftime. Collins opened the second-half scoring with his 70-yard touchdown run. That play began a stretch of five consecutive possessions ending in scores between the two teams.

Neumann finished that sequence with a 21-yard touchdown run. Miles Nio’s extra point put the Huskies ahead for good, 35-31, with 8:21 remaining. Nio then converted a 33-yard field goal with 3:29 left, completing Naperville North’s run of 10 unanswered points. Coach Sean Drendel praised the kick and described the playoff breakthrough as meaningful for both the school and its community.

Fremd, which finished 7-4, mounted one more drive behind junior quarterback Will Clark and senior running back Jayden Faulkner. With 53 seconds remaining, the Vikings had first-and-goal at the Naperville North 9-yard line. But they missed an open receiver in the end zone, and coverage from linebacker John Lyons and defensive back CJ Geist helped the Huskies prevent a tying touchdown.

Clark passed for 184 yards and a touchdown while adding 100 rushing yards and touchdown runs of 9 and 12 yards. Fremd coach Lou Sponsel said the teams had struggled to stop each other and confirmed that the Vikings intended to attempt a two-point conversion if they scored late. Clark credited his defense with keeping Fremd close and maintaining energy for the offense despite the defeat.