Glenbard North subdues West Aurora

Momentum shifted throughout the DuPage Valley Conference football game between visiting Glenbard North and West Aurora on Friday night.

But in the end the Associated Press' top-ranked Class 8A team had too much for West Aurora.

The Panthers' 34-21 victory in Aurora extended their season-opening winning streak to seven games to set up a showdown with defending Class 7A state champion Wheaton Warrenville South next week in Wheaton.

But it was far from easy as West Aurora (3-4, 1-4) battled to the bitter end.

“I think we surprised them a little bit, West Aurora coach Buck Drach said. “I don't they thought we could stay with them as long as we did.

West Aurora never could find a solution for the Panthers' twin-headed monster at tailback; junior Phil Jackson rumbled for a game-high 146 yards on 19 carries, while Evan Natick added 82 more on the ground.

The duo combined for all five Glenbard North (7-0, 5-0) touchdowns.

“We compliment each other very well, Jackson said.

The junior back scored twice in the opening three Glenbard North possessions to stake the squad to an early 14-0 second-quarter lead.

Less than a half-minute later, though, West Aurora completely altered its early trends.

Marcus Waller returned the ensuing kickoff after the second Jackson score and raced 95 yards to halve the Blackhawks' deficit.

“I was waiting for the ball to come down, Waller said. “I saw all of our guys were in the middle and all of the Glenbard North guys were on the outside. After that it was just a foot race to the outside.

“I coach track, Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkins said. “I know what kind of speed they have here. That was one of our concerns coming into the game.

Booker Ross then recovered an onside kick, and West Aurora was immediately threatening again.

But the Panthers' defense held, and Mark Szwan continued his dual role of blocking fullback and receiver out of the backfield.

The senior had three first-half receptions for 76 yards that played a critical role in all of the Panthers' three scoring drives.

“Let me tell you about the fullback, Wilkins said. “This is his first year playing football. He did a tremendous job.

Jackson had a third score to close out the first half to give Glenbard North a 21-7 lead at the break, and the Panthers' opened the second half with the first of twin scores by Natick.

Glenbard North quarterback Mark Ng was a masterful conductor for the squad, hitting six different receivers in his 9-for-13, 192-yard passing night.

“They just killed us on second- and third-and-longs, Drach said.

Josh Campbell (16-for-25, 122 yards) had two scoring runs for West Aurora in the second half.

The Blackhawks had neither a penalty nor a turnover in the contest.

“You're going to stay pretty close doing that, Drach said.