Ellens’ return from injury is good news for Glenbard West in rout of Moline
It was a long road back for Bryce Ellens, but if Saturday’s performance is any indication of what is still down the road, this Glenbard West football team may be in for another deep, fun playoff run.
The talented two-way threat missed much of the season after breaking his collarbone in the second week of the season. After missing most of the regular season, Ellens returned to full form in the Hilltoppers’ 56-0 dismantling of visiting Moline (6-5) in the first round of the 7A playoffs in Glen Ellyn.
Ellens had a 2-yard touchdown run, caught a 25-yard touchdown pass, and helped the Glenbard West defense record its first shutout of the year. Next Saturday Ellens and his 7-3 team will be the underdogs at 10-0 Hersey, but this team is not lacking in confidence.
“It wasn’t fun being out, but it’s definitely fun being back,” said Ellens, a defensive back/running back/punt returner. “It’s just the way we prepared ourselves for this game. With the bye week … we had a lot of extra time to prepare and the guys were locked in. We just really put it together.”
The Maroons fumbled the ball away on the game’s second play, and Glenbard West wasted little time taking advantage of getting the ball at the 20. The short drive started with a 4-yard run by Ellens and was capped by Keyante Johnson’s 4-yard jet sweep into the end zone.
After Moline turned the ball over on downs, the home team took a 14-0 lead on Ace Harris’ 4-yard touchdown run. The offense then exploded for four touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 42-0 lead at the half that resulted in a running clock over the final two quarters.
AJ Rayford fired touchdown passes to three receivers in the second quarter, with Ellens and Brady Johnson each hauling in 25-yard passes and Jack Busch making a juggling leaping catch in the end zone from 34 yards out.
“I think we played our first full complete game of the year. All phases. The defense played lights out. We hadn’t had a shutout all year, but the defense played really well. It was important to get Bryce Ellens back on both sides of the ball. It helped us out a ton,” said Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet.
The defense kept making stops, the offensive line held up its end of the bargain, and the next thing you knew, seven touchdowns were on the scoreboard, even with the starters playing just one half and with the clock on cruise control after halftime.
“I’m definitely excited for these playoffs because during the season we had a lot of injuries,” said Rayford, who was 7-for-10 passing for 113 yards and three scores in his limited action. “So we’re getting a lot of those guys back and that’s why you’re seeing our offense be as explosive as it was today.
“With the brotherhood that we’ve been building since the summer … it’s a testimonial to the work that we’ve put in. People don’t really see the lifting and the practicing, but it’s all coming through on Saturdays. There are dogs everywhere. We’ve got dogs everywhere. I just love those guys and seeing them bring it out on the field and compete like that.”
Hetlet and his players are hopeful the returned health, hard work and tough competition will have them ready for a Hersey team led by star quarterback Jake Nawrot, a Kentucky commit.
“The way we prepare ourselves this week is going to say a lot,” said Ellens, just one of several Hilltoppers sporting hair bleached for the playoffs. “They’re tough. They got a great quarterback, but I think if we play our best game we get them.”
Hetlet, who expects another injured star back next week as linebacker Tallis Taylor returns from a broken leg, knows Hersey will provide a tough test.
“We’re getting healthy at the right time and we’re playing good football,” the coach said. “Everybody did their job. It was the first time all year where we were consistent on both sides of the ball. I’m pretty excited about that. We’re going to have to play the best game we can possibly play next week.”