Panthers can't hide this year

Glenbard North's Tyler Doll takes a handoff from Evan Watkins.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times News Group)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens said that his Panthers ''don't have as many starters back as people think.''

The 2007 Class 8A runner-up has nine returnees, four on offense and five on defense.

''We graduated four offensive linemen and our receivers,'' Wilkens said. ''And [graduate] Matt Ng did everything for us.''

The Panthers, who lost three games by a total of 15 points and lost twice to Naperville North, still rate an edge over a very tough and far more balanced DuPage Valley.

Last year, Glenbard North had to beat West Aurora, which was also 4-4, in Week 9 to make the state playoffs. Then they defeated Young, York, Fremd and Mount Carmel to make it to the state final in Champaign.

Northwestern recruit Evan Watkins (6-6, 233) returns at quarterback. He has running back Tyler Doll and fullback Jordon Brooks in the backfield. Nick Marks, a 6-5 lineman, will be a leader on defense.

''We have some talent back, but we are also playing in what I consider the best conference in the state,'' Marks said. ''Every game is a good game. We have a lot of experience, but we play a lot of tough teams.''

Watkins, who threw for 2,007 yards and 21 touchdowns last fall, was a key on defense in the Panthers' semifinal upset of Mount Carmel at Gately Stadium. Doll ran for 1,736 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Glenbard North opens against Bartlett, one of the favorites in the Upstate Eight, and Crystal Lake South before heading into conference play.

''After what we did last year, I don't think we will surprise people,'' Watkins said. ''We know that we have to be ready every week.''

stucker@suntimes.com 

GLENBARD NORTH BY THE NUMBERS

Conference: DuPage Valley

Coach: Ryan Wilkens 4th Season (20-14)

2007 Record: 9-5 (4-3) Class 8A Runner-up

2007 Final Rank: 6

2008 Schedule

August

29 @ Bartlett

September

5 Crystal Lake South

12 Wheaton North

19 @ WW South

26 @ Naperville North

October

3 West Chicago

10 Glenbard East

17 @ Naperville Central

24 @ West Aurora

Key Game: August 29 at Bartlett: The Panthers will be tested right away against standout quarterback Josh Hasenberg and Bartlett. Glenbard North opened the 2007 season with a 35-28 victory over the Hawks.

Phil Barnes