Evanston caps comeback, shocks Titans

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:18PM

One week after allowing 55 points to Maine South, Glenbrook South's defense suffered a stunning collapse by allowing 34 unaswered points to Evanston.

Rendell Massie's 15-yard TD run with 1:11 remaining in the game was the difference as the Wildkits rallied from a 31-0 deficit to beat host GBS 34-31 Friday night in the Central Suburban League South regular season finale.

Evanston (6-3, 3-2) won its third consecutive game to end the regular season and scored five consecutive touchdowns in the second half after John Strickland gave the Titans (5-4, 3-2) a 31-point lead on a 33-yard TD run with 7:04 in the third quarter. Strickland scored his second touchdown of the game while finishing with a career-high 258 yards on 29 carries.

The Wildkits' comeback started with Massie's first of three TD runs, a 9-yard run with 3:19 in the third quarter. Evanston then added two more touchdowns on three plays set up by back-to-back fumbles, which allowed the Wildkits to score 21 points in the third quarter.

Massie's second TD run of 23 yards cut GBS' lead to 31-27 with 7:01 remaining in the game. He rushed for 173 of his 206 yards in the second half on 25 total carries.

"Coach (Mike Burzawa) talked to us and said, 'Everyone has to come together and fight no matter what happens,'" Massie said.

Massie's game-winning TD came after Strickland left the field as a safety due to an injury. On the next play, Massie to a pitch to his right, broke a couple of tackles and put on a spin move into the end zone.

"This was by far one of the best comebacks I've been a part of as a player or coach," said Burzawa, a former state champion quarterback and coach with Driscoll. "It was kind of like one of those legendary NFL games. I'm proud of the kids. They never gave up."

Both teams combined to commit 24 penalties costing 205 yards. After Massie's final TD, Strickland returned the kickoff to the Evanston 40, but GBS' drive stalled due to a holding penalty at the 20.

The game didn't affect the playoff picture. Both teams were assured of postseason berths entering the contest. Evanston will make its first postseason appearance in Burzawa's third season.

"We're excited. We earned it anyway for our sixth win," Burzawa said.

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