Dupage Policy Journal

Payton Thorne threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as Naperville Central easily rolled over arch-rival Naperville North 35-7 in the battle for Naperville.

Thorne completed 16 out of 21 passes for 286 yards against North’s overmatched defense and later credited the team’s strategy for much of his success.

“The game plan was great for us, it allowed me to complete passes,” the Western Michigan recruit told the Chicago Sun-Times. “That’s a credit to our coaches: they kept it simple for us. The receivers ran great routes. You can’t throw it to guys that aren’t open.”

Cam McDonald was the recipient of eight of Thorne’s passes, good for 147 yards, including a 46-yard score, while Samuel Jackson and Jared Suchevits each snared scoring tosses.

“I run the route and I just know the ball is going to be there,” McDonald told the Sun-Times. “You don’t have to worry about that. You just worry about making the catch. Payton is the best quarterback I’ve seen. It is awesome getting to play with him.”

In practice, Central (1-2) stressed protecting the ball after averaging four turnovers over their first two losses.

“We knew we could put up points and rack up yards,” Thorne said. “Obviously it is a luxury to have receivers like that out there running routes, Cade played outstanding. Sam is making progress. He had never played receiver in his life before this year but he’s been great.”

Running back Danny Hughes also starred for the Redhawks, rushing for 168 yards on 25 carries.

The Huskies’ (0-3) lone score came on a 58-yard reverse by Matt Maschmeier.

The two teams meet again in a DuPage Valley Conference game at North Central College on Sept. 28.