Glenbard North notches big win over WW South
Glenbard North standout running back Devion Hodges has become accustomed to rushing touchdowns.
His first varsity TD as a defender Friday against Wheaton Warrenville South was perhaps ever sweeter.
"It feels a lot different. You can definitely feel the difference," Hodges said.
That 36-yard interception return for a TD midway through the third quarter helped the Panthers feel their first victory of the season, 28-6 over the Tigers in DuPage Valley Conference action in Carol Stream.
Hodges' pick-six put the Panthers (1-2, 1-2) ahead 21-6. He added one of those more familiar rushing TDs on a 48-yard scamper with 49.6 seconds left to finish with 110 rushing yards.
"On offense, when you're running the ball, there's people hawking after you," Hodges said. "When you're running the ball (on an interception), they're kind of just dead. It kind of sucks the life out of them so I was just running free."
In all the Panthers collected 5 interceptions, 2 by sophomore Greg Newsome, and Colin Rosado recovered a fumble.
The Panthers needed a victory, losing their first two games by a combined 8 points despite allowing just 26 points.
"Going 0-3 is brutal, absolutely. A win was needed for sure," Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens said. "The defense is just outstanding week in and week out. (Coordinator) Rich Smelko does a great job with our guys and he's got them understanding what's going on and they fly around."
The Tigers (1-2, 1-2) continue to be besieged by injuries, especially on offense. Junior quarterback Jack Maher, who began the season third on the depth chart, started Friday after coming in last week.
After standout running back J.J. Johnson took a few snaps at quarterback Friday, he was sacked just before halftime and lost the rest of the game to a high ankle sprain.
"We are falling like leaves in the fall on an oak tree. It's bad," WW South coach Ron Muhitch said. "I've got to figure out a way to do something to keep them healthy and still move the ball. Glenbard North is a very tough defense. Credit to Glenbard North. They were 0-2 and that was a big win for them."
The Tigers also have been playing great defense, but the Panthers opened the game with a 77-yard TD drive, 54 of them by Hodges. Quarterback Shane Conway scored on a 1-yard sneak.
"That got us pumped up because they deferred the ball," Hodges said. "That just felt good on O to come out and just smack them in the mouth."
After the Tigers missed a 38-yard field goal on their first possession, senior middle linebacker Alex Taylor made his first high-school interception.
After Newsome's pick to begin the second half, Conway made perhaps the offensive play of the game on third-and-12 from the Tigers' 36. Rolling toward the sidelines, he found Jace James at the 12, and he went the rest of the way for a TD and 21-3 advantage. Conway completed all 6 of his passes to James for 78 yards.
"(Conway) was literally falling out of bounds when he threw," Wilkens said. "Chase made a nice grab and that was a huge play for us."
WW South senior Andrew Patinos kicked 31 and 40 yard field goals. This was his first football game since his recovery from being struck in the head by a discus during a track meet his freshman year.