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Hilltoppers plan to pound the ball

Here's how familiar Morgan Park is with its second-round Class 7A foe:

The Mustangs wanted a Friday night football game at Glenbard West.

No. 6 seed Hilltoppers, having enjoyed a decisive 41-8 win over Reavis, hope to earn the No. 2 seed's respect in broad daylight Saturday the old-fashioned way.

"Our game plan doesn't change week to week," said coach Chad Hetlet, whose running backs Bryant Venson, Kane Keirnan and Robert Cook zigged, zagged and pounded straight forward to combine for 309 yards rushing against Reavis. Venson scored 4 touchdowns, Keirnan 2.

"We try to do what we do best," Hetlet said, "and that's run the ball and limit our mistakes, take advantage of any mistakes that (opponents) may make."

Morgan Park (9-1) made precious few of those last week, crunching a good Wheaton North team 41-0.

The Mustangs, beaten only by Richards 23-21 in Week 2, average 39 points while allowing 5.6. They've reached at least the 7A quarterfinals three of the past four years.

Dual quarterbacks Jelani Eady and Victor Scott, who have passed for a total 1,225 yards and 12 touchdowns, share reps behind linemen Jazzario Barrios and William Sargent, an unruly 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, and 6-4, 350, respectively.

No wonder running back Dominique Bell hit Wheaton North for 155 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns.

Glenbard West (6-4) must ensure linebackers Garrett Richards, Chris Kallapodi and J.T. Baginski don't get enveloped in the Mustangs' bulk.

"We have to be good technicians," Hetlet said. "If we're not we'll be in trouble."

On the other side of the ball Morgan Park brings speed galore. Hetlet cited defensive end Craig Drummond, a big part of a defense that last week held Wheaton North's 1,600-yard back Mike Trumpy to 26 yards on 16 carries.

That was at night. In daylight, in front of fans buzzing with excitement over the resuscitated program, Glenbard West's 12th man will be the home-field advantage.

"We hope to survive," Hetlet said. "You've got to fight for your lives -- and that's what the kids are doing."

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