Balder, Kersten spark Deerfield

Updated: September 24, 2011 12:37AM

Deerfield used a blocked punt for a touchdown to rally past Glenbrook North 28-18 Friday in Deerfield. The game turned midway through the third quarter when the Warriors’ Jacob Balder blocked a punt and the ball fell in the hands of linebacker John Kerstein, who ran 35 yards untouched into the end zone for a 14-10 Deerfield lead.

Glenbrook North (1-4, 0-1) jumped to a 10-0 first half lead on a 23-yard pass from quarterback Curt Petty to wide receiver Trevor Ponticelli, who made a leaping catch in the end zone, and a 33-yard field goal by Montana Paley, her first as a varsity kicker.

Deerfield (2-3, 1-0) closed to within 10-7 at halftime, in the Central Suburban League North Division opener, on a 21-yard touchdown run by fullback Jeremy Kritt. The teams then traded touchdowns, with Warriors slotback Tyler Vajdic scoring on a 13-yard pitch, while Grant Rushing ran it in from five yards out to bring the Spartans to within 21-18 with 4:30 left. But Deerfield took the ensuing kickoff and drove 66 yards in nine plays, with Marc Pagano running around right end on fourth-and-two two with 1:07 remaining to clinch the victory.

“This was a big win. A big win,” Deerfield coach Steve Winiecki said about knocking off the defending conference champions. “It was a great night, with a great homecoming crowd.”

Petty finished the game 16 of 24 for 154 yards with a touchdown.

Kritt led the Deerfield offense with 15 carries for 64 yards, while Kerstein had nine tackles and a forced fumble.

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