During the first half of Friday’s DuPage Valley Conference game, Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley’s offenses offset each other.

Michael Creedon’s 25-yard field goal with six seconds left before halftime was the difference-maker as the Wildcats led 17-14 at the break.

In the second half, Neuqua Valley’s offense continued on all eight cylinders while the Wildcats’ defense shut down the Mustangs for a 37-22 road win.

While Neuqua Valley’s ground game sparked the offense by grinding out 313 yards and scoring three of the teams’s four touchdowns, Creedon earned a major assist. The senior booted three fields goals, was a perfect four-for-four on PATs, and placed kicks into the end zone, requiring Metea Valley to start most of its offensive drives form its own 20-yard line.

Neuqua Valley’s two first-half TDs came on a 13-yard pass from quarterback Drake Menneke to Ben Stefanski and a 12-yard Pierce Stevens run.

Metea Valley (2-3, 0-3) countered during the first 24 minutes with a 57-yard pass from QB Charles Larson to Christopher Jordan (three catches for 73 yards) and a 4-yard Larson keeper. The junior quarterback completed 18 of 34 passes for 254 yards.

In the second half, Neuqua Valley (2-3, 1-2) stepped up its defense. Four of Metea Valley’s five second half drives ended with a punt or turnover on downs.

The Wildcats scored on their first possession of the third quarter to widen the lead to 24-14. Stevens (116 yards on 14 carries) scored his second TD on a 36-yard run with 7:34 left in the quarter.

Creedon kicked his second field goal, a 32-yarder, on Neuqua Valley’s next drive when it grounded to a halt on Metea Valley’s 15-yard line early in the fourth quarter. The junior came through again on the team’s next possession with a 26-yard field goal to extend the Wildcats’ lead to 30-14.

With 2:02 left to play, Metea Valley closed the gap to 30-22. Larson found Marcus Stewart (four catches for 64 yards) all alone in the right corner of the end zone for a 13-yard TD. The duo connected again for a successful two-point conversion.

After the Mustangs’ score, a failed onside kick and penalties set up Neuqua Valley on Metea Valley’s 43-yard line. Two plays later, Andrew Barkley ran 42 yards to score the final touchdown of the night. The senior running back rushed for 135 yards on 19 carriers.

https://www.dailyherald.com/20250928/prep-football/neuqua-valleys-defense-picks-up-in-2nd-half-of-win-over-metea-valley/