Glenbard South wins first league title in 32 years

Glenbard South went to Sycamore Friday night with hopes of the school's first conference title in 32 years and came home with a share Western Sun Conference crown thanks to a 267-yard rushing performance by quarterback Trace Wanless.

Wanless's effort on the ground helped lead the Raiders to a 32-20 victory.

"That's our O-line. They did a great job of opening the holes and our receivers did a great job of blocking downfield," Wanless said. "Geneva's been winning this (conference) for a long time, so we just wanted to come out here and prove ourselves. Thirty-two years is a long time, so it's just an overwhelming feeling."

Raiders coach Dan Starkey called Wanless's number early and often.

"He's just an unbelievable athlete," Starkey said. "This was a great team effort in all three phases of the game. They just refused to lose. Trace was unbelievable on the ground and in the air."

Glenbard South (7-2, 6-1) didn't waste any time, scoring on its third play of the game when Wanless hit Austin Teitsma in the left flat and Teitsma took it the rest of the way for a 39-yard score.

Early in the second quarter, Nick Slezak took it in from 6 yards out, and it started to look as though the visiting Raiders were going to have an easy night.

However, Sycamore (6-3, 4-3) returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield and scored seven plays later when junior quarterback Trevor Mathey took it in from 2 yards out.

Sycamore was able to tie the game just before the half when Mathey hit C.J. Compher for a 20-yard scoring pass and followed that with a 2-point conversion to Beck Ackmann. Eric Ray's interception on a deflected pass near midfield gave the ball back to Sycamore to set up the score.

Connor Douglas scored on the Raiders' second play after halftime to put them ahead again, but the extra-point attempt failed. Sycamore then scored on its next possession on a 1-yard plunge by Mathey, but the Raiders blocked the extra-point attempt to keep the score tied 20-20.

Wanless returned the lead to Glenbard South with 2:47 left in the third quarter on a 31-yard run, and then put the game away for good with a 68-yard run with 11:48 left in the game.

"I can't be more proud of our team tonight," Starkey said. "We haven't won conference title in 32 years. This win is for a lot of Raiders who stuck with it through a lot of tough times. So I'm just glad these kids could win a conference championship for the first time in a long time."