Defying the odds is what Downers Grove North does.
"We believe," quarterback Dan Sheppard said. "We gotta believe in ourselves."
After Oct. 31's improbable upset over Wheaton Warrenville South, Downers Grove North was at it again, beating visiting Proviso East 16-0 on Nov. 7 in Class 7A second-round action.
The Trojans now face a rematch in quarterfinal play on Nov. 14 against 11-0 Glenbard West. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Downers Grove North.
Glenbard West won big 35-0 in the team's regular-season West Suburban Silver contest during Week 7.
North has allowed just seven points in its first two playoff games.
"Coach Bill Kleckner, our defensive coordinator, we have a standing joke: You shut them out, we win," coach John Wander said.
The defense was no joke, it was down right punishing.
The Trojans (7-4) forced three turnovers and produced seven sacks, and held Proviso East (8-3) to -3 yards of offense.
The Trojans scored first on a Jermal Jones touchdown run, going up 7-0 at half. However, the lead didn't come easy as the Trojans turned the ball over three times in the first half.
North lost three fumbles in the cold and wet conditions, but Proviso East was never able to capitalize on the mistakes.
"Besides the three turnovers, I was happy," Wander said. "We knew our best defense is our offense, and that's how we play football here at Downers North. I think we set back the game of football about 50 years going into the T formation."
The Trojans ran the ball and said "stop us." North ran the ball every play in the second half.
"It is basically our game plan," Sheppard said. "The running backs played hard, and our line blocked good."
The Trojans forced a safety, going up 9-0 with 7:34 remaining in the fourth quarter.
On the following drive, North took advantage of good field position, and Sheppard capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
Sheppard, a quarterback and linebacker, led the way on both sides of the ball.
He sacked the quarterback, which was followed by an interception. The pick sealed the game for North.
"Shep's a darned warrior," Wander said. "He's not going to get the accolades that kid deserves. He'd better, taking us literally to the quarterfinals. He deserves everything I can try to get that young man. You don't see many middle linebacker/quarterbacks in the state of Illinois, and if there's an award for that, I've got the player for that."
Sheppard ran the ball almost 20 times during the coarse of the game, and was able to get up to play some incredible defense.
"My mind clicks off when I go on defense," Sheppard said. "It is all I think about. It is on and off really."
Despite the odds the Trojans are marching forward.
"No one really believed in us at all," Sheppard said. "Let alone make the playoffs, but to make the quarter finals." The Trojans know they have to stay prepared for their upcoming opponents.
"We are going to have to prepare for speed, we know we will be up against fast guys," Sheppard said. "We are going to have to step up and play even harder."
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