Glenbard West defense sets tone for victory
Glenbard West defended its home turf in Glen Ellyn the best way it knows how -- with defense.
The Hilltoppers remained unbeaten and unscored upon in two games at Duchon Field with Saturday's 21-0 West Suburban Silver victory over Proviso West.
Notching a touchdown in each of the final three quarters, Glenbard West (2-2, 1-1) steadily pulled away. Proviso West (0-4, 0-2), while hanging tough, struggled to just more than 100 yards of offense for the game.
"To their credit that's one of the most athletic teams anyone will face around here," said Hilltoppers running back Kane Keirnan, who rushed for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 carries. "Our offense in the first half was a little bit shaky. The defense saved us today. The game ball definitely goes to our defense."
Glenbard West's defensive effort was impressive on multiple levels. It held the Panthers to minus-4 rushing yards and the passing game to an 8-of-35 completion rate.
Proviso West never advanced inside the Hilltoppers' 40-yard line on its 11 possessions, two ending on interceptions by J.D. Macleary and Chris Brewer.
Glenbard West's offense wasn't fancy, but at times it was very effective. The Hilltoppers, who ran the ball 63 times for 159 yards, opened the game with a 17-play drive and added two more drives that lasted at least 10 plays.
"I like the way our kids played," said Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet. "Whenever you're playing an athletic team like that, it's keep-away. We want to keep the ball in our hands and keep the chains moving."
The Hilltoppers took a 6-0 halftime lead on Keirnan's 3-yard second-quarter touchdown run. Other scoring chances, however, were thwarted by 10 first-half penalties for 60 yards.
Bryant Venson helped put Glenbard West ahead 14-0 midway through the third quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run. With 1:07 left in the game, Keirnan capped the scoring on a 4-yard burst into the end zone.
A solid effort on both sides of the ball allowed the Hilltoppers to erase the sting of last week's 35-14 Silver-opening loss to Oak Park.
"Last week we kind of came out flat, but this week we weren't going to let that happen again," said Hilltoppers lineman Eric Orrison. "We're not planning to let it happen ever again."