Naperville Central junior linebacker Landen Goebel played a pivotal role in his team’s 18-14 victory over Warren in a Class 8A opening-round playoff game held Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Naperville. After switching from outside to inside linebacker this season, Goebel has excelled in the middle of the Redhawks’ 3-4 defense, finishing the regular season with a team-high 96 tackles, including 59 solo stops.

Goebel’s performance was especially critical in the second half, helping Naperville Central (6-4) rally after falling behind 14-3 in the second quarter. Warren’s ground attack, led by junior running back Jonathan Randolph, who rushed for 167 yards and scored two touchdowns, had repeatedly pierced the Redhawks’ defense. However, a halftime discussion among the players, motivated by the seniors’ desire to extend their season, spurred a defensive adjustment that limited Warren’s offense to zero points over their final seven possessions.

Key defensive plays helped keep the Blue Devils (4-6) off the scoreboard. Junior cornerback Eron Kennedy broke up a crucial fourth-down pass inside the Redhawks’ 10-yard line and added a diving interception and another pass deflection on Warren’s last two drives. Senior defensive lineman Jaxon Pytlak recovered a fumble near midfield, contributing to the team’s strong finish. Throughout these sequences, Goebel was instrumental in closing running lanes and making tackles, earning praise from teammates and coach Mike Ulreich.

Naperville Central’s offense capitalized in the third quarter on two long touchdown passes from senior quarterback Simon Hayes to junior receiver Mark Williams. The first was a 67-yard fade along the sideline followed by a short swing pass that Williams turned into a 74-yard score, giving the Redhawks their first lead of the game.

Ulreich, who compared Goebel’s style to that of Bobby McMillen—a standout linebacker on the 2013 Naperville Central state championship team—commended the linebacker for his consistency and ability to read plays. Teammates also highlighted Goebel’s relentless approach to filling gaps and making tackles.

With the win, Naperville Central improved to three consecutive victories and five wins in their last six games. The team will travel to face fourth-seeded Oswego (8-1) in the next round of the playoffs, aiming to continue their momentum. Goebel expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory, crediting their defensive improvements in recent weeks as key to their success.