Gritty Rayford steps up in Glenbard West victory against Hinsdale South

The legendary “Hitter” culture at Glenbard West is usually associated with gritty linebackers and bruising trench play. On Saturday, AJ Rayford proved you can play with that exact same grit from the quarterback position.

The Hilltoppers signal-caller grinded tape, responded to adversity and, when he needed to, simply outmuscled the competition while scoring four touchdowns and leading his team to a 42-24 West Suburban Silver home win over Hinsdale Central on Saturday.

Rayford got started after the Red Devils took an early lead. With his team needing a response, he leaned on a week’s worth of Hinsdale Central film study.

The senior got the look he was waiting for and launched a 47-yard pass downfield to Keyante Johnson that tied the game.

“This whole week, we've been practicing that play specifically just for this team, and we executed on the first play,” Rayford said.

The Hilltoppers offense is packed with talent. Northwestern-bound tight end commit Brady Johnson is the biggest name, and 6-foot-7 tackle Josiah Wallace, with the biggest frame, is joining Johnson in Evanston.

Rayford also has the eye of college scouts, with Division II offers from Upper Iowa and Lincoln on the table.

Along with his punishing running back Ace Harris and skyrocketing senior wide receiver Keyante Johnson, Rayford stands in the middle of the West Suburban Silver’s highest-scoring offense, the engine behind it all.

“We have so many weapons,” Rayford said. “We got a big body tight end, like Brady, we have speed threats on the outside. … We have so many weapons that it's hard for teams to plan for.”

Following York’s upset win over Downers North on Friday, Rayford’s 5-1 Hilltoppers squad also has a path to a conference title.

“I feel like we have a brotherhood where we could rely on each other this season,” Rayford said.

When Rayford threw a second-quarter interception that led to a Red Devils field goal to make it 10-7, that brotherhood stepped up.

Harris punched in a two-yard touchdown to make it 14-10 midway through the second quarter, and then Rayford found Brady Johnson on a double move, and Johnson fought his way 40 yards to make it 21-10.

Rayford muscled his way to a 19-yard score to start the second half. By the time he found Keyante Johnson again to make it 42-17, the game was decided.

“When he gets some confidence, and he's in stride, there's no stopping him,” Brady Johnson said about his quarterback. “He was throwing balls on the money. He doesn't let anything get to his head, and he just bounced right back.”

Coach Chad Hetlet was impressed with the first-quarter pass to Keyante Johnson.

“Great ball. Spot-on precision,” Hetlet said.

Hetlet is confident in his offense, and he reminded his players that they control their path to a conference title.

“We had one bad half against Downers North. Other than that, our offense has been super strong,” Hetlet said. “We can power run. Our offense is really strong right now, running on all cylinders.”