Panthers hope DVC schedule pays off now

It's been four years since Glenbard North last won a playoff football game.

The Panthers plan to change that trend tonight when they travel to Chicago's Hanson Stadium for a Class 8A first-round game against Whitney Young.

The two teams have taken dramatically different paths to reach the playoffs.

Whitney Young rolled through the regular season, posting 6 shutouts and out-scoring opponents by an average margin of nearly 29 points while completing its first 9-0 regular season.

Fourteenth-seeded Glenbard North (5-4), on the other hand, has been up-and-down all season. The Panthers lost to four playoff qualifiers before clinching its fifth straight postseason berth with last week's win over West Aurora.

Battle tested coming out of the DuPage Valley Conference, the Panthers are confident despite facing a No. 3 seed in the opening round.

"We just need to play more consistently," said Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens. "If we can do that, I think we'll be all right."

The Panthers aim to control the game offensively with the physical junior duo of running back Tyler Doll, who's rushed for 1,104 yards in eight games, and quarterback Evan Watkins, a 6-foot-5 force who's dangerous whether he's throwing the ball or running with it.

Senior receiver Matt Ng, with 46 catches for 586 yards, presents another option in the offense. Ng contributes on special teams as well and joins Justin Wahrman, who has 5 interceptions, in a strong secondary.

Also trying to contain Whitney Young's potent offense is a defensive line led by Greg Mahan and Frank Cusumano along with linebacker Adrian Leal.

Whitney Young counters with 1,000-yard rusher Jordan McCord, one of several two-way starters for the Dolphins. Alan Roberts, a defensive end and receiver, has 23 sacks, including 6 in the last two weeks alone.

"They've got so much talent," Wilkens said. "We'll have to play our best to beat them."