Special teams save Glenbard West
Great teams usually have even more than strong offenses and defenses on their side. They usually aren't great without excelling on special teams.
On Friday night at Downers Grove South, Glenbard West needed a special play from its special teams and when the Hilltoppers got that special play, they were able to hold off the Mustangs 21-16 in a thrilling contest.
Trailing 14-10 early in the third quarter, Downers South (0-2) was looking to pin the Hilltoppers (2-0) deep with a punt from midfield. But Glenbard West defensive end Zack Marshall busted through the line for a punt block and teammate C.J. Watson scooped up the loose ball and race 33 yards for what proved to be the winning touchdown.
"I was just one-on-one with my guy and I made a cut and got there," said Marshall, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior. "Luckily we had someone there to pick it up. There's nothing like blocking a varsity punt. It's such a momentum shift."
Lucky for the Hilltoppers, they were able to turn that 21-10 lead into a victory, even though Downers South kept up the pressure throughout the night.
A fumble gave the Mustangs the ball deep in Hilltoppers territory, but the officials ruled that Mike Ficaro's 25-yard field-goal attempt moments later was just wide. But speedy back Josh Williams, who gave Glenbard West fits all night long while gaining 111 yards on 27 runs, closed the gap to 21-16 with a 1-yard leap into the end zone with 7:38 left in the fourth quarter.
"I've got to give it to Downers Grove. They played their hearts out," Marshall said.
That they did, but for the second straight week the Mustangs dropped a tight battle to a state power. They gave the Hilltoppers all they could handle even after left tackle Shane Companey was injured in a car accident earlier in the day and receiver Ryan Oruche suffered an ankle injury early in the game.
"Even without those guys we stayed in it, so give the kids credit," said Downers South coach John Belskis. "We're two plays away from being 2-0 against two top-ranked teams."
Aside from the touchdown on the blocked punt, the Mustangs kept the potent Hilltoppers from scoring after the visitors held a 14-10 halftime lead on rushing scores from quarterback Mike Matthew and running back Nick Burrello.
"Our defense played as well as you can with that team," Belskis said. "If another team holds them to 14 points I'll be surprised."
Glenbard West once against slowed itself with 12 penalties for 115 yards, but the Class 7A state runner-up did produce a pair of 100-yard rushers as Burrello gained 143 yards and Trace Sorey finished with 109.
"We made some good plays for sure, but you've got to give credit to Downers South. They came to play and maybe some of our kids didn't come to play," Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet said. "But absolutely that blocked punt was big. He just happened to get loose and that was a good deal."
After closing to within 21-16, the Mustangs had one last chance in the final minute. But after driving to the Hilltoppers 34-yard line, Downers South was intercepted by Mike Marston with 28.2 seconds left.