On the evening of Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, the local community came together to witness one of the most anticipated events of the year – the crosstown classic between St. Charles East High School and St. Charles North High School.
Held at the historic Norris Stadium, the clash exemplified not just the love for the game but a historic rivalry that has existed between these two schools for years.
Historical Context
The rivalry between East and North isn’t something new. It’s deeply rooted in history, with both schools trying to outdo each other in various sporting events. Football, however, remains a special point of contention. With alumni, families, and students attending, the atmosphere often simmers with excitement, competition, and camaraderie.
Highlights of the Game
This year’s game was no exception. Both teams put up a fight that kept spectators at the edge of their seats,but among the many plays, some key moments stood out.
Aeden Hayes’s jaw-dropping 87-yard touchdown reception was one for the books, while Ethan Plumb left spectators in awe with a 35-yard scramble. As the night progressed, North managed to establish a dominant lead, eventually ending the game with a decisive 40-14 win over East.
Performance Insights
Despite the final score, it’s undeniable that several East players showcased remarkable skills throughout the game.
Mac Paul, the quarterback for East, demonstrated remarkable prowess. With 244 passing yards and one touchdown under his belt, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Brandon Swartz shone brightly with six receptions, amassing an impressive 153 yards and securing a touchdown. His gameplay was essential to the team’s offensive efforts.
On the defensive front, players like Anthony Gutierrez and Charlie McArdle from East stood out, making key tackles and sacks that showcased their commitment and drive.
An Exclusive with Mac Paul:
In a post-game interview, Paul described their preparation, saying, “We physically prepared with intensive practices, and mentally with film analysis. Right before the game, I listen to Bob Marley to stay level-headed.”
The energy during the crosstown classic was unique. “You can feel the crowd’s desire for us to win. We wanted to represent our school well for everyone part of East,” Paul remarked.
On his personal contribution, Paul shared, “Being part of the Saints football program is an honor. There’s nothing I’d rather do.”
Handling the game’s pressure was about trust. “I trust my teammates. Knowing they have my back alleviates stress.” Paul also praised the fans, especially after the first touchdown, noting, “It was awesome to see people care and support us.”
For the remainder of the season, Paul’s vision is clear: “Our goal is to soak it all in, My teammates are like brothers, and we aim to make the most of our time playing the game we love.”
As the dust settles after this spirited contest, the town’s unity shines bright, reminding everyone that while rivalry games bring fierce competition, they also help to promote a sense of pride and community in celebration of local talent.
Sophomore Game
Despite the outcome of the varsity game, just a few hours earlier the Sophomores defeated the North stars with a score of 27-10.During the game, East intercepted North 3 times, one made by Mason Daros (#3) at the start of the game, returning for a touchdown, “A few notable plays that led the team to winning were Mason Daros interception for a touchdown because the game was close and his interception set the down for the remainder of the half.” Shared Xander Salazar (#22), who scored 3 touchdowns during the crosstown game.
“Some highlights from the game [were] the 3 interceptions we had against North and one of those picks being a pick-6.” said Logan Tatar(#10) . The other two interceptions were made by James Dolewski (#21).
Just when it seemed that the stars could catch up, the Saints scored a touchdown, “Also the teams first offensive drive right after half. We marched the ball down the field and scored a touchdown which set the tone for the rest of the game that we weren’t done.” said Salazar.
Both the Sophomore and Varsity teams have played against many teams this season, winning and losing a fair amount of games.
“The team has performed great throughout the season, we’ve faced some adversity with losing out first game and our starting quarterback breaking his collarbone but we came back and are currently 5-1 for the season. We have some tough opponents these last 3 games but we have phenomenal coaching and players and we will become conference champs.” mentioned Salazar.
Our Saints have faced adversity head on and will continue to persevere throughout the remainder of the season.
