Glenbard East claims defensive battle

Glenbard East had its back against the wall midway through the fourth quarter of its 7-6 victory over Lake Park Friday night.

Starting on its on 35-yard line with 1:20 to play in the third quarter, Lake Park kept the ball exclusively on the ground during a drive that proceeded into the fourth quarter and ate up an additional 5:16 of clock.

Lake Park appeared as if it would score the go-ahead touchdown when it had the ball on the Rams' 18-yard line. However, Glenbard East defensive lineman Jerrell Bellamy stopped the Lancers' momentum cold with one play.

Bellamy tackled LaCurt Evans in the backfield for a 2-yard loss. The Lancers then turned the ball over on downs after two incomplete passes, and Glenbard East held on for the win.

"I just worked for it," said Bellamy, who also recorded a sack in the second quarter that preceded an interception by senior defensive back Jon Morris. "We put in a lot of hard work in the summer."

"It was a heck of a play," added Glenbard East coach Dennis Lueck. "We had a lot of defenders step up tonight, and it was a battle."

The Lancers took it to Glenbard East on their opening drive of the game. Ronald Castaldo, who rushed for 135 yards, and Evans, who added 86, broke off runs of 48 and 22 yards, respectively, that put Lake Park first and goal at the Rams' 3-yard line. Two plays later, sophomore quarterback Zack Gehant rolled out and hit Jonathan Holtorff with a 3-yard scoring pass to give the Lancers a 6-0 lead.

Glenbard East tied it with 3:48 to go in the second quarter as Tyler Lueck ran up the middle for a 15-yard touchdown. Frank Loconti kicked the extra point - one that ended up providing the margin of victory.

The Rams visit Wheaton Warrenville South - which dismantled defending Class 8A state champ Maine South on Friday - next week. Coach Lueck is glad his squad is going into the contest with a head of steam at 2-0.

"We're excited about the conference season," he said. "In our league you have to (go 2-0). It's going to be a meat-grinder no matter who you are. I think everybody wants to go 2-0 and get off to a good start. So we're happy with that, but we've still got work to do and that's where we're at."

The Lancers take an 0-2 record into their Upstate Eight Conference opener against South Elgin next Saturday.

"I've got to give them credit," Livingston said. "They played a real tough game. Their offense controlled the ball and kept the ball away from us when they really needed to.

"We just didn't finish. It was the second week in a row that we got down here and didn't score. All we needed was one of those."