Football | 10/17/2015 5:25:00 PM

Box Score - North Park v. Elmhurst

A solid defense led to an almost unstoppable offense on a memorable Homecoming afternoon at the Holmgren Athletic Complex Saturday.

With two of its defensive and offensive greats in attendance – Arriel Gray Jr., a 1981 graduate who went on to play defensive back for the Chicago Bears and Rich Mahoney, a 1969 grad who was an integral part of North Park's historic 1968 season – both of whom were inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame Friday, NP held Elmhurst to under 300 yards of total production and showcased its high-octane offense in the second half of a 24-14 CCIW victory.

The Vikings' triumph marked the third-straight Homecoming win under Coach Michael C. Conway and its first over Elmhurst since the 2000 season.

Junior quarterback T.D. Conway, who completed 17 passes without an interception for 272 yards, did most of his damage in the second half as North Park racked up 14 second half points after freshman Robbie Hillier II electrified the crowd with a 76-yard blocked field goal attempt return for a touchdown. Freshman David Simmons Jr. came up with the huge block on Elmhurst's attempt at a 34-yard field goal with 5:35 left in the third quarter. Hillier II finished the day with two tackles, but more importantly came up with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and the blocked field goal.

The defensive effort of sophomore Chaun Maiava was just as impeccable as he led the Vikings with 11 tackles, including four tackles for a loss of 16 yards, two sacks for a loss of 13 yards and two pass breakups. In all, the Vikings had three four sacks and 10 tackles for a loss.

Elmhurst looked as if it might spoil the Vikings afternoon early on however as they took a 7-3 halftime lead, but North Park burst out of the gate by engineering a pair of drives that gave them a commanding 24-7 advantage with 4:58 left in the third quarter. Sophomore Devin Childress ended the first drive – a seven-play, 54-yard march – with a 15-yard touchdown catch from Conway and John Wilkinson culminated the second drive, a 6-play, 67-yard effort with a one-yard over the top of the defense TD score.

Overall the Vikings accumulated 339 yards of total offense with Childress garnering 130 all-purpose yards. Dakota Conway added five catches for 82 yards and Kvonte Spearman controlled the ground game 14 carries for 49 yards.

Not to be overlooked was the stellar special teams play of senior punter John Gieseking, who had six punts for 256 yards, averaging just under 43 yards per punt, one of which landed inside the 20-yard line. Junior Noah Moore also booted a 36-yard field goal and was a perfect 3 for 3 on PAT attempts.

North Park (2-4, 1-2) returns to action next Saturday when it travels to Decatur for a 1 p.m. contest with Millikin University.