A present for coach? Glenbard W. knows just the thing
What to get the football coach who has everything...
Because Glenbard West's Chad Hetlet seemingly has it all - program-wide momentum, a slew of running backs for different jobs, an active defense that allows 154 yards a game, an accurate big-armed quarterback, a great offensive line.
How about a Class 7A quarterfinal win Saturday at Duchon Field?
"This would be a great birthday present for me," said Hetlet, who turns 37 on Sunday. Coming off last week's 27-14 win over Rockton Hononegah, Hetlet is now 29-6 in his third year with No. 1-seeded Glenbard West (11-0).
Ah, but he got that present last year, a win over Downers Grove North on the eve of his birthday. And truth be told, the unbeaten Hilltoppers are expected to vie for a state title in Champaign.
Saturday's opponent, No. 12 seed St. Charles North (8-3), has no problem with that perception.
"We told them we are not the favorite," said St. Charles North coach Mark Gould, whose squad reached its first quarterfinal in eight straight playoff seasons with last week's tight 20-14 win over Elk Grove.
Feeling little pressure, his North Stars can feed off the underdog status to come after Hilltoppers quarterback Tyler Warden, big-play receiver JT Mesch and running backs Adam Bruere, Pierre Washington-Steel and Steve Jones. Running behind offensive linemen such as Jordan Walsh, Greg Kuhn and Mike Sandoz, that trio heads a ground game that's gained 2,995 yards.
"Our big thing is just play our game and know your assignment and the rest will work out," said North Stars senior linebacker Dom Imbordino, whose interception in the end zone last week sealed St. Charles North's second playoff win after ending the regular season on two straight losses. "If everyone on the field does what they're supposed to do, then we're a force to be reckoned with."
Operating out of a base 3-5 defense as does Glenbard West, Imbordino, Conner Mohs, J.J. Weaver, Spencer Swarts and the rest of a universally tough yet athletic unit defends the entire field. Coordinator Jared McCall's defense gives up an average of 13.3 points a game and hasn't allowed more than 16 since a 35-28 Week 4 loss to Waubonsie Valley.
"They don't have any weaknesses or anybody we think we can pick on," said Hetlet, who lost linebacker Beau Warden last week to a broken leg and awaits the return of all-around force Nick Burrello from a shoulder injury.
As St. Charles North must watch Tyler Warden's play-action passes to Mesch, who caught 2 touchdown passes last week, Glenbard West faces big-play receivers Jeff Stolzenburg and Josh Mikes. Stolzenburg has 8 touchdown grabs and 2 more on kickoff returns. The 6-foot-4 receiver caught 2 touchdown passes against Elk Grove from junior quarterback Jake Bergren, who has thrown 12 touchdown passes to just 1 interception and leads the North Stars with 573 yards rushing, 16 more than back Dirk Schmitt.
"We're happy it's at our place," said Hetlet, whose seniors - 23-1 their last two years - play at Duchon Field one last time.
"It's going to be an emotional game win or lose for them, so that's kind of a big deal," he said.