Hobbled Glenbard S. runs out of time

In the aftermath of a second consecutive season-ending quarterfinal loss, the Glenbard South players' faces were as tear stained as their second-half resilience was remarkable.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, though, Woodstock senior Scott Rausch had one final game-defining play. The Streaks' wide receiver broke free on a third-and-6 play and scampered 77 yards on a crossing pattern to alter the Class 5A football epic one final time.

Woodstock forced its fourth interception on the Raiders' ensuing possession to put the finishing touches on a 44-35 victory Saturday night in Woodstock. The Streaks (8-3) advance to meet Montini next week; the Raiders' season ended at 8-3.

"(A James Smead block) opened up the sideline for me," said Rausch, who also burned the Raiders' secondary with a 90-yard connection from Logan Kunzie to give the Streaks a 28-7 halftime lead."I wasn't going to get caught."

Battered and bruised by a rash of injuries, Glenbard South never quit. Connor Douglas was lost on the last play of the opening quarter with a broken leg, but senior classmate Brandon Phillips' 44-yard reception on the first play of the second quarter epitomized the Raiders' spirit.

Even after falling behind by three scores, Glenbard South never wilted. Nick Slezak had a 55-yard burst four seconds before the third-quarter horn to rally Glenbard South. Slezak and senior wide receiver Michael Rovansek made play after play for Glenbard South down the stretch, despite needing medical attention after spectacular plays reduced the Streaks' 38-21 fourth-quarter cushion to a mere 3-point spread.

But it was Trace Wanless who was the most steadfast of all the Glenbard South warriors. The senior was hobbled all week in practice due to a combination Achilles' injury and high-ankle sprain. Wanless was forced out of the game midway through the third quarter after a vicious sack.

With his dual-threat abilities reduced to an almost exclusive air attack, Wanless continued to work wonders.

"It was my last game," Wanless said after completing 19 passes for 273 yards and three scores. "I tried to do everything I could. I couldn't do what I normally wanted to do."

"(Glenbard South) played their hearts out for their two players (Douglas and Wanless)," Rausch said. "(Wanless) was hopping around on one foot and still making plays."

Tyler Padera performed admirably in Wanless' absence, scoring once from the Wildcat formation. Wanless' second strike to Phillips, eight plays after AJ Distefano recovered an onside kick for Glenbard South, reduced the Streaks' lead to 38-35 with 2:57 remaining.

"I am so proud of the effort in the face of adversity," said Glenbard South coach Dan Starkey. "We had so many injuries this week. The last (Rausch) score was a dagger in our hearts."

Glenbard South had a disastrous second-quarter stretch in which Woodstock forced turnovers on three consecutive plays.

"We weren't focused," Wanless said. "In the second half we regrouped and showed what we co do."