Ho-hum: Another shutout for Glenbard North

Put another notch on Glenbard North's shutout belt.

The Panthers advanced to the Class 8A quarterfinals for the second time in three years with Friday's 27-0 victory over Sandburg in Orland Park.

Next week third-seeded Glenbard North (10-1) will play host to today's winner between Downers Grove South and Bolingbrook for a berth in the semifinals.

"We have confidence in our guys and just try to play four quarters," said Panthers running back Evin Natick, who carried the ball 24 times for 177 yards and touchdown runs of 15, 17 and 5 yards. "It's a good win."

For the sixth time this season - and the second straight time in the playoffs - the Panthers blanked their opponent. Eleventh-seeded Sandburg (7-4) managed only 60 total yards and 6 first downs, two coming on first-half penalties.

The Eagles didn't reach Glenbard North territory until they were down 21-0 early in the fourth quarter, and even then they only made it to the Panthers' 36-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.

Glenbard North sacked Sandburg quarterback Phil Musa five times, including twice by Chris Gavigan. With little time to pass on their 9 attempts, the Eagles struggled mightily against the Panthers' fierce defense.

"We just play hard and fly around to the football," said Panthers defensive lineman Nick Abbate. "We're a very aggressive defense. If we get a shutout it's great, but we just want to play good defense."

The teams exchanged punts through most of the first half until Glenbard North took advantage of a muffed long snap by the Eagles. Natick capped a 4-play drive with a 15-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers ahead 7-0 at the half.

The Eagles, pinned at their 3-yard line midway through the third quarter, gave Glenbard North another short field for its second touchdown. The Panthers went 19 yards on two Natick runs, the second a 17-yard scoring romp.

On their next possession the Panthers again only had to go 37 yards to score. Quarterback Tom Traficanti lofted a perfect 27-yard touchdown pass to Jason Spencer to put Glenbard North ahead 21-0.

After scoring on drives of 38, 19 and 37 yards, Glenbard North tallied its final touchdown on a 57-yard drive when Natick ran it in from 5 yards out.

"Defense and running the football," Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens said of his team's winning formula. "I can't give enough credit to coach (Rich) Smelko. He does an outstanding job with the defense. They fly to the football."