Glenbard South finishes with victory

On a day on which Glenbard South said goodbye to its seniors, it couldn't help but look to the future.

Junior Wes Sanders rushed for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Raiders (4-5) finished their season with a 22-13 nonconference victory against Fort Zumwalt South (Mo.) on Saturday in Glen Ellyn.

“Winning three of the last four ballgames definitely is something to hang your hat on,” Raiders coach Jeremy Cordell said. “We made progress. We knew this was going to be a rebuilding year as far as a lot of inexperienced guys going into the season. But we did get better.”

Sanders was one of several players who will return next season when Glenbard South joins the Metro Suburban Conference and had a big hand in the win. Sophomore Tony Tenuta came up with a key interception with four minutes to play and the Raiders' lead just 3 points. Freshman running back Zach Smith picked up some hard-earned yards. In fact every skill-position player who touched the ball on offense except Jessie Larabee returns in 2011.

“That's going to be really big for us next year. I can't wait for that,” Sanders said.

The Raiders took a 16-13 lead into halftime, but both offenses struggled in the second half, with the only scoring coming on Sanders' 22-yard run with 1:24 to play.

“When I came to the huddle, I was like, I'm going to score this, put this game away,” he said.

“He's going to be something to watch next year,” Cordell said of Sanders. “He's an explosive kid. He's just starting to know football, become football savvy, so I think next year he's going to do some big things for us.”

Sanders also picked up a sack while playing defensive end.

“It was a special play they put in for me. Coach said I was going to get one,” Sanders said.