Hiben has 319 yards receiving in Glenbard West win
Hello, IHSA record books, there's someone you need to meet.
Glenbard West wide receiver Mark Hiben introduced himself to Lincoln-Way East, the end zone and future defensive coordinators, compiling an Illinois playoff record 319 yards receiving while scoring 4 touchdowns in the No. 2 Hilltoppers' 42-28 win over No. 3 Lincoln-Way East during Saturday's IHSA Class 7A second-round playoff game.
“It's special because Glenbard West is not known for their passing,” Hiben said. “Coach (Chad Hetlet) said that never in a million years did he think one of his receivers would get 300 yards.”
With the Griffins' defense loaded in the box to stop Hilltoppers tailback Nick Burrello and the rest of the volatile running game, Hiben and his 6-foot-4 frame found plenty of single coverage. The senior scored in the first quarter on an end around option pass of 84 yards from Justice Odom, then hooked up with quarterback Daver Glawe on passes of 41, 72 and 19 yards, while hauling in 12 total catches.
“He was it,” Hetlet said, summarizing the Hilltoppers' offense. “It wasn't the game plan coming in, but sometimes they give you things. He's a mismatch for a lot of defensive backs anywhere. We haven't taken advantage of it as much as we should have, and we realized that after our loss. That's on us as coaches because the kid is a very special kid.”
The Hilltoppers (10-1) ran out to a 21-3 lead before the Lincoln-Way East (9-2) offense finally got in gear. Two big plays to open the third quarter tied the game at 28. Griffins' receiver Kyle Buchbach got loose on the left sideline for a 73-yard touchdown from Blake Winkler, and then, following a defensive stop, running back Tyler Starke broke out of a pack for a 44-yard touchdown run.
To swing momentum back in their favor, the Hilltoppers went back to Hiben. Having scored from 44 yards in the second quarter on a three-receivers-right formation where Hiben was the tight end on the left, Glenbard West ran the play again, and Hiben scored from 72.
“Best hands in the state,” Glawe said. “He's unbelievable with what he does. His routes are awesome. He always finds a way to get open.”
With Hiben needing just 16 yards to break the record and the Hilltoppers facing a third-and-7 at the Lincoln-Way East 19, Hiben made his most impressive catch of the day reaching over the front of a well-positioned defender to get his fourth score.
“It was a hitch-and-go and he bit on the hitch,” Hiben said. “He was in good position. I just tried to make a play on the ball and ended up going over him.”
Said Hetlet: “He just doesn't drop balls. I've seen it 10 times in practice where he just comes over the back of a defender.”
Glawe finished 13 of 24 for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns, including an amazing throw and subsequent catch-and-run score by Burrello right before halftime. The Glenbard West defense did the rest, holding Winkler to 2-of-12 passing in the second half, while recording 4 sacks.
The win sets up a rematch of last year's season-ending loss to No. 1 Wheaton Warrenville South.
“It brings revenge,” Glawe said about the game. “It's a game we circled from Day One. We want Wheaton South. We want another shot at them. It should be a real fun game.”