DGN football team experienced a season of defining moments in its state semifinal run

BY JEFF VORVA | PHOTOS BY JEFF VORVA

It seemed like Downers Grove North’s football team experienced a little bit of everything in 2025 and gave fans their money’s worth.

You want close games?

Downers Grove North players huddle up before a Class 7A semifinal game against Brother Rice in November in Chicago

The Trojans gave you some close games, including an 11-8 win over Morgan Park with a last-second field goal by Baker Glomb, a 9-7 win over Hinsdale Central, and a 28-21 triumph over Prospect.

You want blowouts?

The Trojans gave you some of them, too, including a 49-0 win over Proviso West, a 47-0 win over Proviso East, and a 55-14 victory over rival Downers Grove South.

You want revenge? Oh, yes, they gave you that, too.

The Trojans dropped a 35-21 decision to Glenbard West on September 20, but in the postseason knocked the Hilltoppers out of the second round of the Illinois High School Association Class 7A playoffs with a 19-7 win.

The Trojans finished 10-3 and made it to the Class 7A Final Four for the second time in three years in a season that was filled with injuries.

Adam Solecki of Downers Grove North was injured for a portion of the season but is heading to Purdue for college.

“Stuff occurred – for sure,” coach Joe Horeni said. “It was a struggle, but our kids showed a lot of grit and resilience and continued to play hard to be successful in the playoffs.”

Shortly after their season ended with a state semifinal loss to eventual state champ Brother Rice, four Trojans took advantage of the early signing period and inked letters-of-intent Dec. 3 to attend Division I colleges.

Quarterback Owen Lansu signed with Minnesota, tight end Will Vala with Illinois, lineman Aiden Solecki with Purdue, while receiver Oliver Thulin chose Dayton. More college signings will likely come before the end of the school year.

Horeni will miss this senior class, as the team had a few players who were three-year varsity athletes who were also a part of the 2023 team that finished second in the state in Class 7A.

“I feel like I spent a lot of time with these kids,” he said. “When you can coach a kid for 39 games, that’s rare on the varsity level. You get to know them and their families on a personal level.

Downers Grove North quarterback Owen Lansu is heading to Minnesota

“Even with colleges coming in and recruiting, the amount of traffic that we’ve had because of those guys is substantial. Interacting with those guys, not just in the football sense but helping them in their recruiting process, and obviously, they are great kids. They are a special group.”

As an aside, the Trojans were able to pick up a new fan in an unlikely place – Tennessee.

A blogger on barstoolsports.com named “Big Tennessee” adopted the Trojans as a team to follow and wrote about them periodically.

He, along with several Trojan fans, witnessed a thrilling ride on the way to the state semis, with many different heroes contributing to the fun.

On Halloween night, the Trojans opened the postseason and pulled off a 28-21 first-round win over Prospect at home as Conner Crowley intercepted a pass on the opening drive to help set the tone for the night. Kevin Jay had three touchdown runs, Caden Chiarelli had a 65-yard scoring run, Lansu threw for 190 yards, and Thulin had five catches for 98 yards.

Will Vala of Downers Grove North is a tight end heading to Illinois

The second round found the rematch with Glenbard West, and Thulin came up with a huge pick-six late in the game of the 19-7 victory in Glen Ellyn. Chiarelli ran for two touchdowns in the win.

That led to the quarterfinals back home, where it beat Lincoln-Way West, 28-10, as Lansu threw for 209 first-half yards and hit Max Troha with passes of 40 and 50 yards.

The season finished with a 45-17 loss to Brother Rice. Lansu threw for 230 yards, and Jacob Vroman had a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown.