Glenbard North defense will be challenged

For both teams it's the ultimate challenge.

Can Glenbard North's stout defense, boasting six shutouts, shut down Marist quarterback Mike Perish and an offense averaging 35 points a game?

We'll find out in an interesting Class 8A state semifinal showdown Saturday night in Carol Stream.

"They're tough," said Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens. "(Perish has) a pretty quick release, he'll get it out of his hands in a hurry. We'll have to keep playing well to slow him down."

Third-seeded Glenbard North (11-1) has been incredible on defense this season. In last week's quarterfinal, a 7-3 win over Downers South, the unit came within a field goal of posting its seventh shutout against a diverse Mustangs offense.

The Panthers have allowed an average of only 12 points a game while giving up a stunning 61 rushing yards and 74 passing yards.

This week the challenge is even more fierce. Fourth-seeded Marist (10-2) boasts one of the state's top quarterbacks in Western Michigan-bound Perish, who's completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,003 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Perish's effectiveness stems from a lightning release that prevents pass rushers from getting near him. The RedHawks' main receiver is Dan Piko, who has 75 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. Nick Valla adds 50 catches for 861 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Last week's field goal represents the only points scored on Glenbard North this postseason. Nick Abbate, the DuPage Valley Conference defensive lineman of the year, and Chris Gavigan will be charged with trying to disrupt Perish's rhythm in his no-huddle offense.

The Panthers, however, suffered a major loss days before the Downers South game when two-time all-DVC cornerback Brandon Salemi went down with a broken collarbone. His absence puts extra pressure on a secondary that's sure to be tested.

Andre Smith, who snared an interception last week, Steve Cook, Pat DeCicco and Evin Natick, also a standout running back, face the most prolific pass attack they've seen all season. Natick, who normally plays fewer than 10 defensive snaps a game, played about 25 against Downers South.

A workhorse for the offense, Natick's rushed for 1,256 yards and 15 touchdowns. He'll need to get a breather when he can, and quarterback Tom Traficanti's play-action passing is the perfect chance. Receiver Mike Carev may be the most dangerous player on the field for an underrated Panthers passing game.

Mike Partipillo, the DVC's offensive lineman of the year, and his linemates need to keep the chains moving against a defense that held 2,000-yard Fremd running back Evan Wright to 106 yards on 25 carries last week.

"We can play a lot better offensively than we did against Downers South," Wilkens said. "Against that defense we'll have to."

One win away from the program's fourth state title game appearance, Glenbard North has an impressive 4-1 semifinal record. That's the furthest thing from the Panthers' minds, however.

They've got plenty to think about already with Marist.

"There's no magic formula, I mean, we're just wrapped up in beating Marist," Wilkens said. "I'm not even thinking about the championship game right now."