WW South fans look forward to title game with Glenbard West

Posted November 20, 2009 10:00 pm

Matt Arado

During the Wheaton Warrenville South playoff game Saturday, the thrill of a possible state title game with rival Glenbard West was definitely in the air.

"I actually thought it would be us against Glenbard West for the state championship," Wheaton Warrenville South alumnus Bill Englehart said at halftime.

Englehart was a member of the 1998 football team that won the state title. "It would be a fun game. I haven't seen Glenbard play this year, but I like our team a lot."

Englehart's grandfather, Hank Bailey, said he didn't care who South played in the title game, "just as long as they get there."

Both men got their wish. Wheaton Warrenville South and Glenbard West high schools won their respective semifinal football games, which means that no matter what, a DuPage County school will celebrate a Class 7A state football championship next weekend in Champaign.

The two schools will square off in the title game at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.

Glenbard West won its trip to the title game with a 21-17 victory over Lake Zurich in Lake Zurich.

Wheaton Warrenville South earned its trip by beating East St. Louis 34-15 on a nearly perfect fall afternoon in front of an enthusiastic home crowd that filled the stands with a sea of orange and black.

The game went the fans' way pretty much all afternoon, at least after the Flyers of East St. Louis marched down the field and scored a quick touchdown to open the game.

"C'mon, Tigers, get it together!" one fan screamed after East St. Louis scored.

Wheaton resident Ken Spaeth watched the action with his 4-year-old son, Will, on his shoulders.

"I just love high school football," Spaeth said. "I played while growing up downstate, and I love the community aspect to it. We plan to send our kids here when they get old enough, so it's nice to start establishing some roots."

Bailey said he's still interested in following the Tigers, even though his grandson no longer plays for them.

"It's almost become a tradition," he said. "I like coming out here."

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