Illinois HS team Neuqua came out of a trip to St. Xavier (OH) with two victories.

Neuqua defeated Penn HS 14-10 in what can only be called a major upset.

It was certainly an early game for both, but buoyed by some solid results in Texas, Neuqua was playing with some confidence. The Illinois team's outstanding backline scored on a kick-and-chase play, and then a blocked kick to make it 14-0 at halftime.

Penn dominated the set pieces and ran well in tight with their larger forwards, and that forced Neuqua into numerous penaties. Eventually Penn was able to score, but couldn't hit the conversion. Penn scored just before the end of the game, and had one more chance to take the lead, but good cover defense from Neuqua ended it all.

It was a game that could have been won by either, but in the end Neuqua's better kicking game won it.

On Sunday against Walnut Hill both teams played a younger lineup. Walnut Hills worked their forwards for two tries and a 12-0 lead before Neuqua responded with two nice tries to lead 14-12 at the break.

The 2nd half opened with sides trading scores to level it up 19-19, but then Neuqua was able to pull away on a try from yet another chargedown, and then a break up the middle, to win 31-19