By Bobby Narang
The North Central College football team made history Friday.
The Cardinals, hailing from Naperville, captured the program’s first championship, by defeating Wisconsin-Whitewater in blowout fashion, 41-14, in the Division III national championship game in Shenandoah, Texas.
The Cardinals, 14-1, made their first trip to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl a memorable one, by surpassing the program’s previous finish in a semifinal playoff loss in 2013.
Quarterback Broc Rutter passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns and Ethan Greenfield did the damage on the ground with 138 yards rushing and three touchdowns to spark the Cardinals.
“We came out and we were ready to play,” said Rutter, a senior, from Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. “We couldn’t wait all day. We came out and executed the game plan.”
Rutter, earlier in the day, was named the Division III Gagliardi Player of the Year.
North Central head coach Jeff Thorne said his players and coaching staff members were building toward a special season.
“Just thrilled with the way these guys played,” Thorne said. “These guys played their ever-living tails off like they have all year long. To be here in this position is just beyond description. Just so grateful.
“It’s been an incredible run for us. I’m grateful for everything that’s come our way. We’ve had to work for it, which makes it more rewarding. What it means is a dream that was launched in 2002 when my dad took this thing over and so many people put so much into this thing.… To see it to completion means the world to me and to be able to hand the trophy to my dad (John Thorne) tonight was very special.”
Division III all-America junior left guard, Sharmore Clarke, harkened back to his freshman year for his first indicator of the possibility of a championship level team.
“My first year, I knew this team was special and the competition was going to be fierce,” Clarke said. “I knew I was going to stick it out and make this my home. Being a part of this team meant everything. We talked about bringing home a championship in my freshman year. Everything fit in line perfectly, we built the chemistry with this last group of seniors.”
North Central’s only defeat in the season was to Wheaton College, 35-21, Saturday, Oct. 5 in a road game for the Little Brass Bell. Wheaton won the CCIW championship and made it to the D-III quarterfinals prior to suffering defeat.