Anthony Noto went to Lincoln-Way Central games when the team was making the playoffs in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Noto recalls that he and his Junior Knights teammates were able to go on the field during warmups and then go to the stands when the games began.

The senior running back is staying on the field a lot longer these days and helping the Knights get in position to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

“To experience the playoffs would be, I mean, it would be so awesome,” Noto said. “It’s always been my dream as a kid to come here and play varsity football and make the playoffs.”

The Knights moved closer to qualifying with a 20-14 homecoming win against Sandburg in a SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover game in New Lenox on Friday.

Noto had 76 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries for Central (4-1). Those numbers might not sound like a lot, but Sandburg (3-2) was stingy defensively, giving up just 188 total yards. Central had 52 plays and was able to gain 10 or more yards just three times, twice on passes.

The biggest gain of the game was Noto’s 23-yard run in the second quarter, a play that set up senior quarterback Michael Kuehl’s 1-yard TD run. Senior kicker Andrew Schiller booted a pair of field goals.

Sandburg junior quarterback Anthony Shelton threw for 238 yards and found senior tight end Ethan Highfill nine times for 74 yards and junior wide receiver Charlie Snorek eight times for 76 yards.

The Knights took what they could get.

“If I could get the big gain, I’ll take the big gain,” Noto said. “But this game we were able to chip away, and it was nice.”

First-year Central coach Dave Woodburn used an analogy from another sport to describe the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Noto.

“He’s like a bowling ball out there,” Woodburn said. “He’s an unreal kid. The school loves him, his teammates love him and the community loves him. He has a ton of energy, and he’s a fun-loving kid, and when he comes out here, it’s business.”

Schiller appreciates watching Noto run.

“He’s our energizer, and we can always rely on him to get us some yards,” Schiller said. “He’s always going to go beyond what people think he’s going to do.

“He takes a hit in the backfield and turns it into a positive gain, which is a really big momentum swing.”

The two teams’ fates have mirrored each other the past two seasons. Neither made the playoffs in 2022, but both won three of their first four games this season.

Each had a signature win, with Central knocking off O’Fallon in Week 3 and Sandburg beating Lockport in Week 4.

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Noto knew this matchup was going to be important in securing a playoff spot. The Knight need just one more win in the final four games to qualify.

“This is absolutely a big turnaround from last year,” he said.

Sandburg coach Troy McAllister was pleased with his defense but didn’t like the turnovers and penalties.

“Central will nickel and dime and take it,” he said. “Our defense did a good job, but we put them in some really bad spots (for Sandburg) early with field position.”

Meanwhile, Noto is hoping for a few more big games to show off his skills to college recruiters.

“I 100% want to play college football,” he said. “I have a great attitude, and I’m always positive. I’m pretty shifty, and I just love being out on the football field.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.