Highland Park’s sideline was pretty chaotic — until Noah Spitz brought closure.
The junior defensive back put the finishing touches on a wild affair on Friday night, when he intercepted a deflected pass with 27 seconds left to play.
His INT deep in Highland Park territory — 19-yard line — gave the host Giants a 14-9 victory over a very good Vernon Hills squad.
The win gave HP a co-CSL North title with Glenbrook North. Both teams finished league play 4-1. GBN beat Maine West 42-14 in its Week Nine contest.
Meanwhile, Vernon Hills, which edged GBN 26-25 in Week Eight, wound up 3-2 in its inaugural season in the Central Suburban League.
“A hard-fought game,” said Spitz, who ended the game with two picks to go along with seven tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, and one pass break-up. “I’m proud of my teammates tonight. And I’m proud to be able to make some plays for them.
“This is what we’ve been striving for. To make the playoffs and win conference,” Spitz added. “It’s nice to bring the conference title back to Highland Park where it belongs.”
Once again, D.J. Penick was crazy good for the Giants (7-2 overall). He rolled up 239 rushing yards on 28 attempts. His first-half touchdown runs measured 29 and 87 yards.
“Just another day with D.J. Penick,” said head coach Joe Horeni, who is his second season with the Giants. “Tough kid. I hope we’ve got five more games with him.”
“He’s pretty amazing,” HP offensive center Joe Sereda added. “He can just find holes. A defense can’t give him anything. If they do, he’ll be off and running downfield.”
Penick’s offensive night wasn’t perfect, however.
In a key drive in the fourth quarter, he got a chance to throw a long pass on a halfback option. It was intended for Jeremy Allen. It was intercepted by Vernon Hills’ Jake Morris.
“Sometimes, you take chances. We thought it was an opportune moment for it [gimmick play],” said Horeni. “Their kid [Morris] found the ball sooner than our kid.”
It was the lone turnover of the night for the Giants.
The Cougars had three miscues, which proved to be costly. In addition to Spitz’s two picks, HP safety Ryan Brinks intercepted a pass in the end zone on the first series of the second half.
Showing running back speed — because he is one — Brinks returned it 50 yards before fumbling. But the Giants caught a break, when teammate David Barrette scooped up the loose ball and advanced it another 10 yards.
The Giants also had the sack attack thing going. They had six for the game. Penick had two as did inside linebacker Bobby McCraren. Barrette and Luke Crawford had one each.
Highland Park Game Balls: D.J. Penick (Running Back/Linebacker), Noah Spitz (Defensive Back), Ryan Brinks (Defensive Back), David Barrette (Offensive Line/Defensive Line), Bobby McCraren (Linebacker), Luke Baldwin (Defensive Back), Luke Crawford (Linebacker)
Vernon Hills Game Balls: Chris Marietta (Wide Receiver), Kyle Hull (Quarterback), Drew Winegardner (Wide Receiver/Returner)
Highland Park Offensive Player of the Game: Penick
Highland Park Defensive Player of the Game: Spitz
Highland Park Stat Leaders
Offense: Penick (28 rushes, 239 yards, 29-yard TD, 87-yard TD), John Sakos (6-9-0 passing, 53 yards), Justin Goodman (2 catches, 21 yards), Ben Fishman (1-14)
Defense: Penick (7 tackles, 2 QB sacks, 1 pass breakup), Spitz (2 interceptions, 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 pass breakup), Brinks (7 tackles, INT), Barrette (4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery), McCraren (4 tackles, 2 sacks), Baldwin (5 tackles, 1 pass breakup), Crawford (7 tackles, 1 sack), Jeremy Allen (3 tackles, 1 TFL), Nick Siegel (4 tackles)
Vernon Hills Stat Leaders
Offense: Hull (14-21-1, 134 yards; 12 rushes, 72 yards), Marietta (7 catches, 100 yards)
Special Teams: Winegardner (75-yard punt return for TD), Andre Szmyt (35-yard field goal)
Highland Park Unsung Hero: DeAngelo Alonzo
Notable: Vernon Hills quarterback Kyle Hull, a double threat, sustained an injury with 4:29 remaining in the third quarter and never returned. The Cougars had to go with backup Jack Himet for the final 16-plus minutes.