Glenbard South entering playoffs with momentum

It typically takes time for Glenbard South's football team to get rolling at the start of a season.

At this point it's full steam ahead for the Raiders.

Glenbard South enters the Class 5A playoffs with a share of its first conference title since 1977, a wave of momentum at its back and a legitimate shot at a long postseason run.

Last season the Raiders came a point shy of the Class 6A semifinals. This time around - dropping a class into 5A - expectations remain high as the No. 3 Raiders (7-2) face No. 14 Rochelle (5-4) in the opening round at 1 p.m. Saturday in Carol Stream.

Glenbard South earned a home game against its Western Sun Conference rival, but the poor condition of the Raiders' stadium field forced the game to be moved to Glenbard North's synthetic surface.

"We'd love to be playing on our home field, but we'll be better suited on a consistent playing surface," said Raiders coach Dan Starkey.

Unfortunately for both sides, consistency also rests in the opponent. These teams met two weeks ago as the Raiders held on for a 49-34 victory.

On Saturday the Raiders hope to keep up the offensive pressure while tightening the defense. Last week quarterback Trace Wanless rushed for 262 yards, giving him 923 on the season to go along with 1,252 passing yards.

The lineup is dangerous throughout with receivers Nick Slezak and Connor Douglas. Two-way standout Austin Teitsma caught a 39-yard touchdown pass last week.

Slezak, a linebacker, continues to dominate on defense after notching 19 tackles last week. Along with fellow linebacker Nick Boesso and Teitsma on the line, the Raiders aim to slow Rochelle's power running game.

There shouldn't be many surprises Saturday. Advancing boils down to whichever team executes defensively better than the first time.

"We're both very familiar with each other," Starkey said. "There's no way we're looking past this game."