Doll, Panthers beat Whitney Young
Minutes before kickoff, football became pretty simple for Glenbard North.
In a near-constant downpour Friday at Chicago's Hanson Stadium, a typically dominant Panthers running game worked junior running back Tyler Doll even more than usual.
Doll and Glenbard North kept their focus during a penalty- and turnover-filled game, blanking previously unbeaten Whitney Young 23-0 to advance into the second round of the Class 8A bracket.
The 14th-seeded Panthers (6-4), who notched their first playoff win since 2003, will play host to No. 6 York (8-2) next week in Carol Stream.
Overcoming 4 turnovers and 11 penalties for 115 yards, Glenbard North broke open the game with 2 fourth-quarter touchdowns. Doll finished with 30 carries for 184 yards and a pair of scores.
"Early in the game it was hard, you had to adjust," Doll said of the rain that arrived just prior to kickoff. "But as the game went on you just hold the ball with two hands and just followed my line."
Glenbard North still managed to win the turnover battle to keep Whitney Young off the scoreboard. The Dolphins threw 3 interceptions and lost 4 of their 8 fumbles.
Bad snaps and big losses led to minus-88 total yards for Whitney Young in the second half. Five of their 18 second-half plays were turnovers and 3 of their 8 first downs for the game came on Glenbard North penalties.
After playing powerhouse DuPage Valley Conference teams Wheaton Warrenville South and Naperville North, the Panthers were well-prepared for the third-seeded Dolphins.
"Anytime you go through the DVC, once you get to the playoffs you can play with anybody," said Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens. "I think that helped prepare us for tonight."
Aside from a fumble, Doll ran every play for the Panthers leading up to his 42-yard touchdown burst midway through the second quarter. Three Glenbard North turnovers, however, kept the lead at 6-0 heading to halftime.
Whitney Young had the ball inside the Panthers' 30-yard line on its first three possessions but couldn't convert. The Dolphins started the second half with a first-and-goal at the 8 after the Panthers fumbled the opening kickoff, but Justin Wahrman's interception and 81-yard return led to Brian Hackett's 29-yard field goal and a 9-0 lead.
Doll and Adrian Leal scored in the fourth quarter to give the Panthers breathing room.
"We came in pretty confident," said Panthers offensive lineman Nick Iossi. "We made sure we weren't cocky, but we were confident. We practiced hard all week and it paid off."