Glenbard South 15, Glenbard West 14
The inaugural Cross-town Kickoff Classic between Glenbard South and Glenbard West is barely in the books and already there's a problem.
How are they ever going to top this?
The Glen Ellyn teams renewed their football rivalry Saturday at Glenbard South, and the host Raiders rallied for a thrilling 15-14 victory over Glenbard West in front of a packed crowd of about 4,000 fans.
As time expired Glenbard South quarterback Kevin Marshall threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Chris Loos to pull the Raiders within 14-13.
Opting against an extra point that would have sent the game to overtime, the Raiders went for the win. Marshall found Wally Wiedner in the back of the end zone for the 2-point conversion pass that won the game and began a mass celebration on the home sideline.
It's Glenbard South's first win over Glenbard West, which beat the Raiders in 1986 and 1987 -- the only two prior meetings.
"We knew we could do it," said Marshall, who completed 14 of 27 passes for 130 yards. "It was a hard-fought battle and we pulled it out."
The game appeared headed to overtime with the score tied 7-7 and Glenbard West at midfield following J.D. Macleary's second interception of the game.
But with less than a minute left Hilltoppers quarterback Andrew Baldwin fired a perfect strike in stride to Roger Pope, who raced 43 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
"I think the kids gave a great effort," said Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet. "I don't know how either one of us is going to turn out, but I thought both teams played with a lot of heart."
Glenbard South answered quickly after the Hilltoppers claimed the 14-7 lead. Nick Summers took the ensuing kickoff 62 yards to Glenbard West's 30-yard line. Six plays and 43 seconds later, the Raiders pulled off the stunning comeback.
"We all came together and it came up big for us," Summers said.
Glenbard South took a 7-0 second-quarter lead on Marshall's 1-yard dive. Sparked by Chris Watt's blocked punt, Glenbard West tied it in the third quarter on Kane Kiernan's 4-yard run.
The Hilltoppers outgained Glenbard South 234-140 in total yards, mostly with a 169-10 rushing advantage. Macleary led the balanced ground game with 49 yards on 10 carries.