Hinsdale Central’s gutsy call in overtime turned into the capper to a great turnaround night by Wheaton Warrenville South.

Trailing 28-27 in overtime Friday after a first-down 10-yard touchdown pass from John Whitelaw to David Banasiak, the Red Devils (0-1) disdained the extra-point kick and opted for a two-point conversion attempt to win.

Whitelaw (14-of-21 passing for 174 yards, plus 90 yards rushing) was pressured by two Tigers on a rollout pass attempt against zone coverage, which resulted in a game-ending incompletion and a dramatic final chapter in Wheaton South’s rally from a 21-0 first-quarter deficit.

“There was no way we weren’t going for two,” Hinsdale Central coach Mike  DiMatteo said. “That decision was made the moment we knew overtime was happening.

“We thought we would score on the first play, and I thought we had a good call for the two-point conversion. We just didn’t get it done.”

“Going for two is the right call for him and his program,” said Wheaton South coach Ron Muhitch, whose team has reached the state finals the last two years. “That’s a program maker for you when you’re trying to get your kids to believe in the next step. They get that (conversion) and they’re on to bigger and better things. And you know what, they’re going on to bigger and better things anyway.”

The night couldn’t have started much better for the Red Devils, as they reached the end zone on three of their first four possessions to lead 21-0. But with the lead 21-7, Whitelaw was hit as he passed at the Tigers’ 6 yard line 29 seconds before halftime, resulting in a threat-ending interception.

Wheaton South would deny the Red Devils in the red zone again with the score 21-14 in the fourth quarter, when Whitelaw was stopped a foot shy of a first down on a fourth-and-2 run at the Tigers’ 9 yard line.

“John got snagged just short of a first down on a draw,” DiMatteo said. “We were breaking tackles in the first half that in the second we didn’t. It was a tale of two halves. They executed. That’s really what it comes down to. “

Wheaton South also kept its cool after the early barrage, driving 70 yards on eight plays to tie the game at 21-21 with 39 seconds left in regulation. The Tigers’ Peter Jarrett caught an 8-yard touchdown pass on a screen from Joseph Furco to force overtime, then Jarrett’s 4-yard scoring run and a later pivotal extra-point kick opened the extra period.

Hinsdale Central’s big first half included two touchdown runs by Whitelaw, a 49-yard scoring run by Rich Zajeski (nine carries, 110 yards) and a 38-yard pass reception by Chris Kiser to set up a score. Mike Rogowski also had an interception to deny a Tiger threat at the Red Devil 35-yard-line.

“Hinsdale Central is a lot like us,” Muhitch said. “Mike has this program on the rise. They have nothing to hang their heads about. They’re an awesome team, their quarterback, wideouts, defense. We had to work for everything we got.”