Glenbard West scampers to victory

For a while Friday night Glenbard West seemed like a team in a hurry.

The Hilltoppers' first drive at Addison Trail lasted 6 plays before JT Mesch scored on a reverse. Their second drive was just 3 plays, ending in a Pierre Washington-Steel 5-yard run. The third drive they cut to just 1 play, a Washington-Steel 9-yard run after a Nick Burrello 41-yard punt return.

Glenbard West (6-0) fell just short of starting a running clock for the second half but impressed Addison Trail with its 46-13 West Suburban Conference crossover victory in Addison.

"It's tough to get in a rhythm throwing the ball when you've got such good running backs," Hilltoppers quarterback Tyler Warden said. "One play and they're scoring."

Warden was 6-of-8 passing for 129 yards and a touchdown in a little more than a half of action.

"As usual our running backs did their job," Warden added. "We tried to throw the ball a little bit, but it's really not necessary when you have such good running backs."

Addison Trail never gave up, however, and the Blazers (2-4) started the fourth quarter by ending the shutout bid. Frank Cervantes broke out with a 31-yard reception off a screen pass from sophomore quarterback Anthony Catanese.

After a muffed kickoff the Blazers quickly scored again, this time a 5-yard Anthony Beltrano run.

"The way we came out in the second half was a little disappointing, but in the first half we executed everything really well," Warden said. "I'm happy with the way we played in the first half."

The victory means Glenbard West will get a playoff bid later this month.

"The kids played four quarters," Addison Trail coach Paul Parpet said. "They fought one of the better teams in the state of Illinois, and I'm proud of them. Glenbard's a class organization. They did a great job, and I wish them nothing but the best."