'Laser-focused' Glenbard South wins big

Glenbard South was just about perfect in its homecoming football game Friday night in Glen Ellyn.

The Raiders scored on all eight first-half possessions while holding the Fenton offense in check. The result was a 56-6 Metro Suburban West victory for Glenbard South.

"These guys are laser-focused," Raiders coach Ryan Crissey said. "I think we have more team speed with this group than I've seen since maybe (current volunteer assistant coaches and recent college graduates) Connor Douglas and Austin Teitsma. It's incredible. They're smart kids and they know the system, and it's time to go."

Sophomore quarterback Jack Crouch showed he's growing into the role, throwing 3 touchdown passes to 6-foot-6 senior wide receiver Billy Bair and another to junior Peter Jeske.

"Jack just did a really good job of getting me in the ball in spots where I could catch it and make a play," said Bair, an Illinois State recruit. "He's a really good quarterback, and he did a really good job."

Crouch took over in Week 1 when senior quarterback Kyle Carli broke his collarbone. He was 8-of-10 passing for 113 yards and did not play the second half.

"He's gotten a lot better," Bair added. "His confidence has gone through the ceiling. He came in, I think he was pretty nervous the first game, but now he's getting the hang of it and he's stepping up big-time."

Junior running back Sean Cooke carried the football 13 times for 136 yards and 3 TDs, and senior Javonis Hawkins added another TD on the ground.

"We've been able to establish our run game," Raiders coach Ryan Crissey said, "and we wanted to use our run game to be able to get the ball to Billy. He's a weapon that we have to utilize, and we just have to be more creative with getting him the ball. We've got to utilize his size, his leaping ability. He's a mismatch for anyone that's going to go up against him."

After losing their first two games of the season, the Raiders (3-2, 1-0) have gone on a three-game winning streak.

"You've got to win six games to make the playoffs, so we figured we just have to start winning," Bair said. "And we did."

Meanwhile, the Raiders' defense held Fenton (2-3, 0-1) to just 1 yard total offense in the first half, 41 for the game. Fenton's Dylan Butts broke up the shutout in the fourth quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run to finish a 61-yard drive.

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