Niles North wins, but misses playoffs

Niles North's Terry Turner rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 13-10 win over Glenbrook North on Saturday. The victory gave North a final mark of 5-4 overall.
(Jason Brown/Staff Photographer)

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Cheers turned to tears in a matter of a few hours Saturday for Niles North.

After a wild celebration following a 13-10 victory over Glenbrook North, the Vikings met bitter disappointment when the IHSA selection committee passed over Niles North for the Class 7A playoffs.

"We went from a super high to disappointment," head coach Scott Smith said. "But it doesn't take away from the accomplishments we made this season."

Running back Terry Turner scored from the 4-yard line to lead Niles North to a come-from-behind victory over the host Spartans Saturday afternoon.

Turner, who rushed for 142 yards on 19 carries, finished a seven-play drive with 3:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. The victory gave the Vikings their first winning season in 16 years at 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the CSL North. Niles North ended the regular season tied with Deerfield and Glenbrook North for second place in the CSL North -- each at 3-2.

"We played hard and we did it," said Niles North quarterback Michael Granato. "We're destiny. This year we wanted to do something. It is nice that the school will now believe in us."

The team gathered at the home of one of the assistant coaches to watch the IHSA selection show on television. When the players realized their goal of making the IHSA playoffs fell short, sadness hit the group.

"I told them they still should be proud that they were the first team in 16 years to post a winning record," Smith said. "The seniors will go out knowing they helped turn this program around and the returning kids will still have a goal to shoot for. There is no doubt we will make it next year."

Niles North missed the postseason by one point. The cutoff for advancing was 36 and the Vikings had 35 points accumulated.

"We knew it would be close," Smith said. "We suffered a couple big losses earlier in the season that didn't help our cause. The kids worked hard and were dedicated to the program. It was a great season and I'm looking forward to next year."

The GBN homecoming game originally began on Friday night, but was postponed at halftime because of thunderstorms that hit the North Shore area. The game resumed at the beginning of the third quarter with the Spartans leading 3-0 on a 37-yard field goal by Jimmy Schmidt.

Glenbrook North extended the lead 10-0 when Paul Jung ran in from the 7 with 3:33 left in the third quarter.

Niles North cut its deficit 10-6 on a 37-yard TD pass from Granato to Michael Dotson. Dotson caught the ball between three GBN defenders, broke free and sprinted into the end zone.

Glenbrook North had one final crack at winning the game when Spartans quarterback Tommy Coughlin tossed a 55-yard pass to Mason West, who ran it to the 10. After an incomplete pass, Schmidt attempted a field goal on fourth down but missed. Niles North took over and ran out the clock, which sparked the celebration on the Vikings' side of the field.

"It was a huge accomplishment," Smith said. "Our sophomores won conference and we only lose six seniors. Vikings football is looking up."

Glenbrook North finished the season 4-5 overall.

Niles North 13

Glenbrook North 10

Star Performances

Terry Turner: 19 carries, 149 yards, TD

Mike Granato: 8-of-17 passing, 108 yards