Perhaps at the right time, Naperville Central is quickly developing a reputation as a second-half team.
Central senior quarterback Nick Linne threw four touchdown passes — three to senior tight end Cam Brate — as the Redhawks scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to pull away from Lockport, 28-16, Friday night in a Class 8A first-round playoff game.
"In a game, you're not really thinking about (a deficit) too much," said Linne. "Most of my nerves come from before the game even starts. Once you get on the field, once you get hit a few times, you're not thinking about anything but playing the game."
Nursing a five-point lead with Lockport driving in Central territory in an attempt to take the lead, Nate Delisle recovered a fumble from Lockport senior quarterback Kyle Billig at Central's 37-yard line with 10:25 remaining in the game to preserve the lead and the game.
After the fumble recovery, Linne proceeded to find junior wide receiver Hayden Daniels for an 18-yard TD, finishing off a three-play, 63-yard drive, giving the Redhawks their final margin of victory.
Much like in their 17-point comeback against Neuqua Valley in Week 2, the Redhawks used their running game to get their offense going. Linne and senior running back Ben Murphy combined for 220 yards on the ground.
Once Central found itself deep in Lockport territory, Linne then would attack through the air.
"I've never caught three touchdown passes before," said Brate. "That was a really good feeling. Anything I can do to help the team out. That was fun."
Linne finished 11-for-19 passing for 116 yards with the four touchdowns and an interception.
Lockport junior running back Daniel Holman had 176 yards on 20 carries, but the Central defense did a tremendous job of clamping down on the Porters offense after halftime.
"(Our) defensive coaches made some adjustments (at halftime)," Stine said. "(Lockport) has a great offense. (Holman) is very good. (Billig) is real good. We were able to get a couple stops and put the ball in the end zone.
"We put the game in Nick's hands in the second half."
Central (8-2) advances to face Marist or Schaumburg on the road next week in a second-round tilt.