Aidan McClure’s three interceptions help St. Charles North turn away Lake Park

ROSELLE – Midway through the first quarter Oct. 13 at Lake Park, St. Charles North linebacker Aidan McClure got his first interception of the season.

He wasn’t done at that point, though. Not by a long shot.

McClure tacked on two more interceptions to make it three for the game and the North Stars responded from an early deficit for a 42-14 DuKane Conference win over the Lancers.

St. Charles North (6-2, 4-2) rushed for five touchdowns in the victory.

“I’m just grateful for my teammates and coaches tonight,” McClure said. “They put me in the position to succeed. I just made the plays.”

“This was his first time playing outside linebacker for us and he did a great job,” North Stars coach Rob Pomazak said. “We feel like he’s an all-state football player down the road and he’s a tremendous young man.”

Lake Park dedicated its West Campus Stadium before the game, renaming it Bob Monken Field in honor of the longtime Lancers coach.

Lake Park players added to the festivities by scoring a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

Quarterback George Tzamouranis connected with wide receiver Matthew Rodriguez on a 71-yard toss to make it 7-0 just 17 seconds into the game.

“It was a really hot start,” Lake Park coach Chris Kirkpatrick said. “Our guys were fired up to play this game.”

St. Charles North responded with five first-half scores to take a 35-7 lead into halftime.

Quarterback Ethan Plumb had two short touchdown runs. Joell Holloman rushed for a 3-yard TD. Jake Mettetal tallied from one yard out and Plumb threw a 40-yard scoring pass to Anthony Taormina.

“We’re resilient,” McClure said. “We fight through any adversity and a shoutout to our offense for keeping us in the game.”

Lake Park (4-4, 2-4) played much better defensively in the final two quarters, stopping the North Stars on their first two drives of the third quarter.

St. Charles North found the end zone again in the second half when Holloman scored on a 5-yard run.

Lake Park went on a long fourth-quarter drive and got the final touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run by junior Robert Munaco, who finished with 100 yards rushing, all in the second half.

“Lake Park does not quit,” Kirkpatrick said. “We’re very proud of the culture we’re quietly building here and it’s a credit to our seniors.”

Plumb had 151 yards through the air for St. Charles North. Holloman rushed for 84 yards.

“Our boys fight really, really hard,” Pomazak said. “They’re a bunch of dogs out there. They’re fast, they’re physical and they did a great job tonight. They’re 6-2 now and playoff eligible. I’m so proud of them.”