Glenbard North continues its roll
It took a rash of injuries to get Phil Jackson into a varsity football uniform.
Talk about making the most of an opportunity.
The Glenbard North sophomore - in his second varsity game - ran for 190 yards on 26 carries with 4 touchdowns in the Panthers' 42-6 win over West Aurora on Friday night in Carol Stream.
A nice encore performance, after a 206-yard debut versus Glenbard East a week ago.
"I just went with the flow when they called me up," Jackson said, "and after being nervous at first I felt like I belonged here. I love this sport with a passion, so I play every game like it's my last. And I have a great offensive line."
Glenbard North (7-0, 5-0 DuPage Valley Conference) could get starting running back Evin Natick back from a leg injury next week in time for a showdown with DVC co-leader Wheaton Warrenville South in Carol Stream.
Jackson's a nice option to have. After scoring untouched from 16 yards out on Glenbard North's first drive, he dragged a would-be tackler in from 6 yards out to make it 14-0. Jackson added a 1-yard score, then capped off his night by carrying a pair of defenders into the end zone with him on an 18-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
"I keep moving my legs until I hit the ground," Jackson said. "I've been doing that ever since I started football. It comes naturally."
"He's a bigger-type kid," Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens said, "so he can take some hits and he can take the carries. We're hoping Evin's back next week. If not I'll go to battle with Phil."
Glenbard North's defense saw its scoreless streak end at 23 quarters. West Aurora quarterback Malcolm Wood found a streaking Nate Zinzer behind the Panthers defense for a 70-yard touchdown pass a minute into the second quarter. But the Panthers, despite losing linebacker Nick Abbate to an ankle sprain in the first half, held West Aurora to 4 first downs the rest of the night - 2 on penalties and 1 in the game's final minute.
Wood completed 8 of 18 passes for 98 yards for West Aurora (3-4, 1-4). Leading rusher Leon Spears was held to 37 yards on 12 carries.
"We are not the biggest defense," Wilkens said, "but we do swarm pretty well to the football. I thought our defense did a pretty good job containing No. 21 (Spears) tonight. We're fast to the football and the kids anticipate well."
Tom Trafficanti had a 21-yard touchdown pass to a leaping Jason Spencer late in the second quarter. Fullback Ben Hester ran for 72 yards and a touchdown.