Glenbard West reigns supreme for Silver title

Hinsdale Central Alex Kirk (5) runs after making a catch against Glenbard West. David McCaffrey (5) & Pat Loveless (80) of Glenbard West go for the tackle.
(Steve Johnston/The Doings)

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About the same time the sky opened, so did holes by the Glenbard West offensive line.

The Hilltoppers had very little success moving the ball on their first two possessions. After heavy rain hit, the Glenbard West running game kicked it up a notch in a battle for the West Suburban Silver title and held on for a 9-0 victory over Hinsdale Central Friday night in Hinsdale.

"We just wanted to pound it, call it three yards and a cloud of mud," Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet said. "I was surprised we could shut them out, but our defense is extremely fast and very physical."

The post-game celebration included players sliding across the field, led by center Tim O'Neil, similar to what the Cubs did when their first night game was rained out, but this was with no tarp.

After No. 8 Hinsdale Central (7-2, 5-1) drove deep into Glenbard West territory, the Red Devils were stopped on a fourth down play and the No. 5 Hilltoppers (9-0, 6-0) took over at their own 12.

It took just five runs by Matt Hassan, Robert Cook and Bryant Venson for an 88-yard scoring drive. Hassan had the longest run, 45 yards. And Cook, who finished with 131yards rushing,  capped the drive with a 21-yard scoring run.

"We knew the weather was going to be bad," Cook said. "We all went out and got 3/4-inch cleats. Winning conference, I can't describe it."

The Glenbard defense held with Connor Loftus getting his second sack of the first half. On a fourth-and-long, the snap sailed over the head of Hinsdale's John Whitelaw, resulting in a safety.

"We knew this was our biggest game," Loftus said. "We knew that we had to stop Whitelaw. We had a great week of practice and we were ready."

Hinsdale got the ball back on a Sean O'Grady interception but couldn't move the ball and punted.

Cook got loose for 42 yards on the first play from scrimmage.

Then, lightening came and after a delay of almost an hour, the game resumed with 1:15 to play in the half. Glenbard West fumbled and Hinsdale ran out the clock. There was no halftime.

Glenbard West All-American lineman Chris Watt suited up and warmed up but did not play with an injured ankle. Hinsdale Central running back Rich Zajesky was also sidelined with an ankle injury of his own.

"The ankle is coming along," Watt said. "It's feeling better every day."

Jordan Rush, a junior defensive lineman for the Hilltoppers, is the grandson of U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush, who was expected to attend the game. The sophomore roster included Trace Sorey, the son of Super Bowl lineman Revie Sorey