Titans unable to find their footing against Glenbard West
Glenbrook South's most successful senior class of football players saw its season come to an end.
Despite playing on Glenbard West's muddy Duchon Field, Hilltoppers junior running back Julius Ellens hit the Titans with 312 yards rushing on 21 carries, with touchdown runs of 4, 14, 22, 64 and 76 yards.
Winning the line of scrimmage, No. 5 seed Glenbard West beat No. 12 Glenbrook South 42-0 in the Class 8A second-round football playoff game Nov. 5 in Glen Ellyn.
"They ran what we expected," said Glenbrook South coach Dave Schoenwetter, whose Titans ended the season with a record of 9-2.
"They did a terrific job running off tackle, and I thought their belly lead play was great as well. They kind of just kept going back to the well on that. They just did a great job. I know our kids played hard, but they executed better than us," he said.
It's a return to form for Glenbard West (10-1), moving to the 8A quarterfinals next week at No. 13 Maine South (8-2).
"The seniors wanted to make a return to glory with our program. We haven't been to the quarters since 2016," said "Hitters" coach Chad Hetlet. "They played with a lot of heart. I was blown away by how our kids played, to be honest with you. (Glenbrook South) is a really good team and we made them not look so good today."
Without throwing a pass Glenbard West scored on its first six possessions, 14 points in each of the first three quarters. The Hilltoppers initiated a running clock at 6:36 of the third quarter when Ellens slogged 16 yards to his 40-yard line, broke a tackle and took off from there for a 76-yard touchdown run. Kicker Marcello Diomede, 6-for-6 on extra points against a flag-stiffening cross wind, made the score 42-0.
"Week 4 against Proviso West I had 5 touchdowns, but nothing like this - the yards that I had in this game, the atmosphere, the field and stuff like that. This is just something different," Ellens said.
The Titans never were able to sustain offense. Starting up front with the likes of 305-pound, Wisconsin-bound Chris Terek, Glenbard West's defense allowed 127 yards and 5 first downs.
The Hilltoppers recovered 2 fumbles, intercepted a pass and held Glenbrook South's consistent 100-yard rusher, Chuck Gottfred, to 48 yards on 11 carries.
With Glenbard West leading 14-0 just into the second quarter, Titans quarterback Hunter Kreske found Gottfred uncovered down the left sidelines for a 28-yard pass play, but the possession ended with a missed 36-yard field goal.
Glenbard West's Joey Pope followed with the sole non-Ellens touchdown on a 40-yard run that made the score 21-0 at 6:02 of the second quarter.
On Glenbrook South's next play from scrimmage the Hilltoppers' Michael Short sacked Kreske and forced a fumble recovered by the Hilltoppers' Brandon Kud at the Titan 22-yard line. On the next play Ellens went the distance for Glenbard West's second touchdown in 19 seconds for a 28-0 halftime lead.
"Obviously, the result today was not what we were hoping and preparing for all week. When you get in the playoffs, this is unfortunately just how things will end unless you win the state championship," said Glenbrook South offensive guard and defensive tackle Drew Duffy, reached after the game.
"Regardless, I am extremely proud of what this team and my class has accomplished - the seniors went 18-5 in total varsity wins. I can say with absolute certainty that next year's team will continue our tradition of success. This year's and last year's teams have forever improved the culture of GBS football."
Tyrone Colton ran a jet sweep for 17 yards, Luke Marino had a 24-yard, second-quarter reception and Dan Devine intercepted the lone pass attempted by Glenbard West in the game's last four minutes, but otherwise the Titans found little footing against the three-time state champions.
"We had 26 seniors this year," Schoenwetter said, "we had far more than four captain-like leaders within the group" - co-captains included Duffy, Nick Brattleaf, Jacque Gariepy, Hank Leahy, Johnny Rolfes and Alex Pappas - "so they've done a great job of driving the program, they picked right up where the group last year left off.
"Really proud of them, made it to the quarters last year, second-round this year. Would have loved to have gone further, but they did a terrific job," Schoenwetter said.
The feeling was mutual.
"I am incredibly thankful for the hard work of my coaches and teammates for an amazing four years," Duffy said. "I am a better person for having played football at Glenbrook South."