Marston has seen his share of top WRs
Glenbard West cornerback Jack Marston knows a little something about pass coverage.
He's learned from the best.
In last week's 41-0 West Suburban Silver victory over Proviso West, Marston played a valuable role in the Hilltoppers' shutout of a previously unbeaten team.
The 6-foot, 180-pound senior covered 6-5 Kyle Prater, considered by some to be the top high school wide receiver in the nation. Prater recently verbally committed to the University of Southern California.
"I followed him everywhere he went," Marston said. "It was an experience. He'll probably be drafted in the NFL, so I'll be able to talk about that."
Saturday's game wasn't the first time Marston has faced a top receiver. In last year's Class 7A state semifinal loss to East St. Louis, Marston and the Hilltoppers went against Terry Hawthorne and Kraig Appleton, receivers who respectively wound up at the universities of Illinois and Wisconsin after combining for nearly 80 catches, 1,700 yards and 30 touchdowns.
As good as they were, though, Marston thinks the world of Prater's ability even though Marston and others held him pretty well in check with 4 catches for 66 yards. Forty-four yards came on one fade pass.
"He's the best receiver I've ever seen," Marston said.
Triple trouble: Glenbard East has a nice thing going with its passing game.
The Rams boast a third-year quarterback in Jack Merrithey, and he's got two sound targets in senior receiver Lee Skinner and junior Kevin Priebe.
"We've got a good thrower and good receivers," said Glenbard East coach Dennis Lueck. "The key is protecting (Merrithey) and getting them the ball."
Skinner is a 6-foot-6, 210-pound physical receiver, so physical that he's played both receiver and tight end. He thrives going across the middle for the tough catches. Priebe, meanwhile, is a 6-3, 170-pound leaper who uses his athleticism to excel on outside routes.
With Merrithey completing 50 of 85 passes for 722 yards and 8 touchdowns, Skinner and Priebe have combined for 34 catches for 531 yards. Skinner is among area leaders with 6 touchdowns.
"Teams have tried to double-team Skinner," Lueck said. "But that just opens things up for Priebe."
Camp Westerkamp: Everywhere Aurora Christian's football players turned Saturday, they bumped into a Westerkamp. Four of them suited up for the Suburban Christian Conference crossover game.
Sophomore Jordan Westerkamp, scored on pass receptions of 26 and 19 yards to help the Broncos take a 21-0 lead over Aurora Christian.
Senior Christian Westerkamp piled on with a 30-yard touchdown catch that gave Montini a 34-0 lead. He finished with 4 catches for 73 yards.
After Montini's starters headed to the bench, in came junior Matt Westerkamp at quarterback. Just to get his arm some work, he threw 1 pass and completed it for 3 yards. Matt also added a 1-yard run.
On the sidelines was former all-state receiver Bob Westerkamp, a Montini assistant.
Between the Westerkamps, Borsellinos (three coaches plus freshman Joseph) and Gorrells (three varsity players) there's the makings of a solid varsity team in itself - or at least a great passing league team since there's not a linemen among them.