By Bobby Narang –
Batavia High School experienced an earlier-than-expected dose of pressure playoff football in week eight Friday.
The defending Class 7A State champions managed to keep their undefeated streak alive, locked up at least a share of the DuKane Conference regular-season championship, and displayed some championship mettle with a memorable 27-24 comeback victory over St. Charles North.
The Bulldogs, 8-0 and 6-0, will close out the regular season at Wheaton North, 4-4 and 3-3, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The North Stars, 6-2 and 5-1, had their five-game winning streak snapped prior to Friday’s home game against Wheaton Warrenville South, 7-1 and 5-1.
It was sweet revenge for the Bulldogs. The North Stars defeated the Bulldogs last season, which secured the Upstate Eight River championship for St. Charles North.
Trailing 24-21 with one minute and 22 seconds left in regulation and no timeouts, Batavia quarterback Jack Meyers went to work and tossed a 37-yard pass to Ethan Neibch, then hit running back Art Taylor for an eight-yard touchdown to seal the victory with 12 seconds left.
Meyers said he wasn’t sure if the Bulldogs’ coaching staff members preferred a field goal attempt or pass into the end zone on the final series.
“I didn’t know if we were going to kick a field goal or go for it until I saw the coaches signaling go for it,” he said. “We had the play in the works all week. It was misdirection (right) and it worked perfectly. It was so amazing to see (Taylor) wide open in the end zone.”
Meyers sparked the turnaround by helping to erase a 17-7 halftime deficit with three second-half touchdown on pass plays. The North Stars were stung by a questionable defensive pass interference play on a fourth down play with 47 seconds left that kept the Bulldogs’ drive alive.
“It was a judgment call and I hate to see a judgment that makes the difference in a game like that,” St. Charles North head coach Rob Pomazak said.
The Bulldogs finished with 179 rushing yards, led by Taylor’s 84 yards. Meyers was nine-for-24 passing for 160 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Nick Rempert led Batavia with three receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Click here to see the standings.