NAPERVILLE -- As far as Waubonsie Valley is concerned, the tone for Friday night's Indian Prairie Classic was set when the Warriors packed their bags for the 10-minute bus ride to North Central College's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
"I told anybody who didn't believe that we couldn't win tonight - don't get on the bus," Waubonsie coach Paul Murphy said.
The Warriors backed up Murphy's message by securing their first win with a 28-26 victory against rival Neuqua Valley.
It is Waubonsie's second straight victory in the series and third since the school's began meeting in 1999.
"It is a great feeling," Waubonsie defensive lineman Sherrod Stancil said. "It feels good to get the first win, but beating Neuqua two years in a row and knowing it is not a fluke makes it feel even better."
The lead changed hands four times before Waubonsie's defense made the decisive play.
With 5 minutes, 49 seconds remaining Warriors quarterback Tyler Castro tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the night when he connected with Alex Stokowski to give Waubonsie a 28-20 lead.
It took Neuqua (1-3,0-2 UEC) all of four plays to march 80 yards capped by quarterback Alex Lincoln's 15-yard scoring pass to Conner Yearian to pull the Wildcats within 28-26 at the 4:41 mark.
The Wildcats attempted to forge a tie with a two-point conversion, but Robert Herzberger was stopped shy of the goal line by Waubonsie's Jason Lockowitz and Perry Levin on a wide-receiver screen.
"We knew they were running it," Levin said. "The credit has to go to our scout team because they ran that play against us over and over and over and it really prepared us."
Neuqua coach Bryan Wells thought Herzberger found the end zone.
"It was tough to tell from where I was standing," said Wells, who was extremely disappointed in the officiating. Neuqua still had two time outs remaining, but the Wildcats' defense could not stop the Warriors (1-3, 1-1) and running back Kendrick Crayton on the ensuing possession as Waubonsie chewed up more than 4 minutes before having to punt with less than a minute remaining.
The Wildcats regained possession with 20 seconds remaining at their 37, but failed on a hook-n-ladder play as time expired.
Castro and teammate Mark Hilgers ignited the Warriors' passing attack. Castro completed 19 of 28 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns, while Hilgers hauled in 10 catches for 198 yards and two scores.
The Warriors hope this victory propels another late-season surge similar to last year when a victory against Neuqua helped begin a strong finish and a playoff berth.
"Obviously 0-3 is a rough way to start, but to be the first Waubonsie team to beat Neuqua two years in a row, and getting that first win there is no better feeling," Castro said. "This is great start for us and it is up to us to continue and build upon the momentum we've created." Waubonsie Valley 28, Neuqua Valley 26
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