Glenbard South enjoying opportunity to play host

It's a rare occasion for Glenbard South to host a playoff football game.

After last week's loss to Sycamore, the idea looked like it'd become even rarer.

As it turned out, though, the Raiders were one of only eight qualifiers with a 6-3 record to earn a home game. The result is tonight's first-round Class 6A game in Glen Ellyn against King (6-3) from the Chicago Public League.

"I thought we had a chance to get a home game," said Raiders coach Dan Starkey, whose program last hosted a postseason game in 2003. "We're excited about it."

Glenbard South surged late in the season and won four straight games for the first time since 1999. The streak ended with the loss to Sycamore, but the impact of the success remains.

The Raiders, a qualifier for the first time since 2004, are eager to prove they have staying power in the playoffs.

Despite a season-ending injury to running back Nick Summers in Week 3, the Raiders have developed a strong offense behind Mike Oratowski, who stepped up with 711 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

"That was a turning point," Starkey said. "Mike's ability to fill that role got us moving in a new direction."

With junior quarterback Kevin Marshall throwing for 1,200 yards and 8 touchdowns, the Raiders present a balanced attack against the Jaguars.

King, which hasn't won a playoff game in three prior appearances, hit the 40-point mark in three games, including last week's 42-6 win over Brooks. A pro-set style of play is headed by Illinois-bound lineman Jeffrey Allen and running backs Michael Thompson and Devon Robinson, a freshman.

The Raiders defense meets the challenge with a solid corps of linebackers that includes Oratowski, leading tackler Greg Calabrese, sophomore Austin Teitsma and Louis Erkins.

"We're going to have to play real good defense, especially against the run," Starkey said. "The key is to make them play from behind."