Glenbard South still looking for first quarterfinal win

Glenbard South's football team faces the semifinal wall yet again.

In the state quarterfinals for the fourth time overall and for the second straight year, this time in Class 5A, the Raiders seek their first semifinal berth when they head to Woodstock on Saturday night.

"We want to take that next step," coach Dan Starkey said. "Right now we just want to keep playing."

They'll be playing this weekend with a limp.

Quarterback Trace Wanless, who's rushed for 1,392 yards and thrown for 1,084 while accounting for 29 touchdowns, injured his Achilles' in last week's win over Vernon Hills. Add that to a knee injury by linebacker-receiver Nick Slezak and a lower back strain for defensive lineman Austin Teitsma, and the No. 3 Raiders (9-2) will be hurting against No. 7 Woodstock (8-3).

"We have some key guys who are questionable this week," Starkey said. "They all want to be out there, but we'll have to see how it goes leading up to the game."

Regardless of health, this is a pivotal game for Glenbard South's program as it tries to make history against a Woodstock team fueled by a potent passing attack.

The Blue Streaks' spread offense amassed about 450 yards in last week's 42-17 win over Lakes, highlighted by quarterback Logan Kunzie's 300 passing yards and 3 touchdowns on 25-of-33 passing. Four different receivers caught at least 5 passes from Kunzie, who has nearly 2,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.

Running back Mike Liedtke rushed for more than 100 yards last week, but he's best known on the other side of the ball. Liedtke, committed to Western Michigan, leads the defense as a rush end.

Starkey compares Woodstock to Kaneland, which the Raiders beat 21-7 in Western Sun Conference play. Cornerbacks Connor Douglas and Dan Parks, along with safeties Brandon Phillips, Tyler Benware and D.J. Wuanti, need to stay solid in the secondary.

"I think that's really been a strength for us," Starkey said of his defensive backs. "We haven't faced too many passing teams, but we're really going to be tested."

Woodstock's a long bus ride for the Raiders, but they won't mind a bit. They're unbeaten in five road games this season.

If the Raiders make it 6-0 on the road, they'll happily drift into uncharted semifinal waters.

"Our kids have really come out ready to play," Starkey said. "Hopefully, we can keep that going."