Eagles don't get much breathing room

In order to make a deep run in this year's class 7A postseason, the Glenbard West Hilltoppers will need to play physical on both sides of the ball.

A tough Hilltoppers' defense carried the load for Glenbard West, paving the way for a 23-2 victory over Leyden in Northlake.

Glenbard West allowed the Eagles just 85 yards of total offense, including a paltry 3 yards on the ground.

"I think our defense had a great effort. We certainly have to (defend) a little bit better on the pass, but I think our defense played like a championship-level defense," Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet said. "I think that it's the other side of the ball that we need to clean up."

Glenbard West (2-0) picked up just 23 points despite being handed quality field position all night by both its defense and special teams.

Leyden (1-1) registered its only points of the game midw ay through the third quarter, when a long-snap from the Hilltoppers 2-yard line sailed over Cook's head and out of bounds for a safety.

Leyden connected on 56 percent of its plays through the air, yet failed to execute a single play from scrimmage longer than 15 yards.

"When we had the oppor unity to make some big plays, we just missed on some," Eagles coach Tom Cerasani said. "We just missed on a long throw, on protection and things like that."