Glenbard North gets another shutout

Glenbard North linebacker John Pullia insists his defense doesn't play for shutouts.

They just happen.

"It's not so much that our goal is to shut teams out - we just want to play good physical defense," Pullia said. "If we shut teams out, so be it."

Pullia and the punishing Panthers were at it again Friday night, beating Andrew 29-0 in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs in Carol Stream for their fifth shutout of the season.

No. 3 seed Glenbard North (9-1) next plays at No. 11 Sandburg, a 35-10 upset winner over defending 8A runner-up Hinsdale Central.

"It shows anything can happen on any given night," Pullia said.

Glenbard North didn't allow Andrew (6-4) past midfield until midway through the third quarter - and that came on a kickoff return. It didn't happen again until the game's final minute, on a Panthers penalty.

An offense led by Minnesota-bound offensive lineman Mark Lenkiewicz managed just 22 yards rushing, 95 yards of total offense. Chris Gavigan and Pullia had sacks, and fellow linebacker Pat Maxwell's third-quarter interception set up an Evin Natick touchdown run.

"Except for one game, they've been playing this way all year," Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens said of his defense. "I think (Andrew) tried to run and they couldn't. They were getting stuffed for a 1-yard loss and had to go to the pass."

Glenbard North couldn't have asked for a better start to the game. After a long Mike Carev opening kickoff return, Natick went untouched up the middle 59 yards on the first play from scrimmage for a 7-0 lead 16 seconds in.

"That wasn't what we were expecting the first play, but it was good blocking up front," said Natick, who ran for 191 yards on 29 carries. "We had an iso block, when one of our backs comes back through the hole. He kicked him out nicely. It was a big hole. I just used my speed."

A 22-yard Mark Ng field goal made it 10-0, and on Glenbard North's next possession Tom Traficanti hooked up with Carev for a 65-yard touchdown pass. Carev took a deep crossing pattern and raced down the left sideline.

"A kid like Mike, he can make 8-yard passes into 50-yarders," Wilkens said. "Nice to have."

Traficanti completed 10 of 16 passes for 167 yards, Carev catching 5 of those for 113 yards. Traficanti later threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Nick Abbate to cap the scoring.