Glenbard North earns fourth straight shutout
Ho hum, another game, another shutout.
Glenbard North beat West Chicago 37-0 to record its fourth straight shutout and remain unbeaten.
"This is just a great streak we have going on right now," Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens said. "It's great. The crowd loves it and knows exactly what is going on."
The special teams got Glenbard North on the board first just 1:40 in the game when they got pressure on a punt attempt, hitting the punter and having the ball go out of the back of the end zone.
Chris Gavigan scored a touchdown with 10 seconds left in the first half when linebacker Chris Wahrman forced a fumble that Gavigan picked up and ran into the end zone to build a 37-0 lead.
"Wahrman stripped the ball and it just popped right in front of me, so I scooped it up," Gavigan said. "We are just taking it one game at a time. We are trying to stay humble about this streak."
These shutouts aren't happening by accident. Against the Wildcats the Panthers forced 7 turnovers that led to or had a part in all 37 points.
"It means a lot to us as a defensive unit to keep zeros on the scoreboard," North defensive back Andre Smith said. "We like to think of our defense as a second offense. We always try to create turnovers, and tonight we were able to do that."
But West Chicago was able to put a little scare into the Panthers (5-0, 3-0 DuPage Valley Conference) and their scoreless streak late in the fourth quarter. With 36 seconds left the Wildcats were at the Panthers' 20-yard line after a pass interference call, but Michael Petock intercepted a pass to end the threat and keep the streak going.
Even though the Panthers have had four straight shutouts, it doesn't mean they are getting overconfident.
"We prepare for every team we play," Wahrman said. "We never overlook anyone. During this streak we are trying not to even talk about it. We are just trying to take it game to game. So far we have done it four in a row."
Glenbard North's Devin Harkins played a little in the first quarter, running the ball 7 times for 48 yards before leaving with an injury. Ben Hester stepped up once again and ran for 36 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Brad Wilson had 42 yards on 10 carries for West Chicago (0-5, 0-3).