Downers Grove North bruises Willowbrook
After a rough opening-week loss Downers Grove North needed to get back to basics, namely its punishing rushing attack.
The Trojans did just that in a 42-14 victory over Willowbrook Friday night in Villa Park.
Downers Grove North (1-1) completed no passes on the evening yet dominated the entire first half, scoring 4 touchdowns in the opening quarter behind its running game.
Running back Anthony Rada bruised his way for 2 touchdown runs in the first five minutes of the game to firmly establish the Trojans' ground dominance.
"We needed this win to bounce back," Rada said. "We wanted to step up and play hard and fast."
Frederick Palma and Rumael Brown also added touchdown runs in the first half to effectively ice the game at halftime for the Trojans. Brown finished with 80 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Palma chipped in with 76 yards and a touchdown.
"Our line played better tonight," Downers Grove North coach John Wander said of his team's control of the ball. "We have some good running backs and that showed tonight."
Willowbrook (0-2) could not get its bread-and-butter rushing attack on track as the Trojans' defense stifled a Warriors offense that ran for 260 yards last week against Glenbard East. Willowbrook was limited to a mere 18 rushing yards for the game.
"They have a real solid defensive line and linebackers, and they got after it tonight and they blew us off the ball," said Willowbrook coach Mark Olson. "They really stuck it to us the entire first quarter, especially with those two running backs. Rada is a load and Palma is a nice athletic kid and their quarterback runs very well. It showed that we only have one returning defensive starter."
The Warriors did manage to finally penetrate the Trojans' defense in the third quarter. Quarterback Dan Fahlgren found wide receiver Tyler Adams for a 21-yard strike to put Willowbrook on the scoreboard.
"The safety bit on the fake and I was wide open," Adams said of his score.
Willowbrook added another touchdown late in the fourth quarter as quarterback Dan Hay connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass on a beautiful sideline catch by Mike Benyamin.
Despite the strong second half from Willowbrook, the Trojans won the all-important battle for the line of scrimmage, which was paramount between rushing-oriented teams.
"Run defense was our No. 1 thing," Wander said. "Last week we gave up some long runs, and we swarmed to the ball and played with some aggression."