Venson's quick strikes spark Hilltoppers

Glenbard West's Connor Loftus runs from Fenwick players after intercepting a pass.
(Patrick Gleason/For the Sun-Times News Group)

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Bryant Venson scored two touchdowns in a span of 27 seconds in the first quarter to set the tone for No. 4 Glenbard West as the Hilltoppers walloped Fenwick 56-14 in a Class 7A second-round matchup Saturday afternoon in Glen Ellyn.

With the resounding victory, the Hilltoppers (11-0) advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1985.

Glenbard West will meet Downers Grove North next week. The Hilltoppers defeated the Trojans 35-0 in a West Suburban Silver matchup on Oct. 11.

‘‘All week, we did everything right in practice, and we did everything great today,’’ Venson said. ‘‘Unlike last year, (a playoff loss to Morgan Park) we finished the game. Everyone on this team are like brothers, and we want to continue to play.’’

Fenwick (7-4) intercepted Glenbard West quarterback Chris Cochrane on the second play of the game and had a golden opportunity to go ahead. But the Friars fumbled the ball on a third-and-goal from the 2-yard line, and Kyle Krumweide recovered in the end zone for the Hilltoppers.

Glenbard West then drove 80 yards, and Cochrane got the scoring going on a two-yard run. Following a Fenwick punt, Venson, who had six carries for 107 yards, burst through on the first play from scrimmage and went 64 yards for a touchdown and a 15-0 lead.

Fenwick countered immediately on a 67-yard pass from Joe Romano to Joe Musso to cut the lead to 15-7. But Venson returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to cap a span of 22 points being scored in 27 seconds.

‘‘I haven’t done that before,” Venson said of his two quick scores. ‘‘The kickoff return was all Adam Bruere, he got a great block for me.’’

‘‘It could’ve been either me or Robert Cook to make those plays. We’re both players that like to make good plays for momentum changers.’’

The Hilltoppers extended their lead to 29-7 on a one-yard touchdown run by Tyler Warden with 14.4 seconds in the first quarter.

The Friars drew within 29-14 at halftime on a nine-yard pass from Romano to Musso, but Glenbard West scored on four straight possessions in the second half.

Matt Hassan had a three-yard touchdown run for Glenbard West. Cook, who had 12 carries for 103 yards, added six-yard scoring run. Cochrane found Jesse Condie with a 25-yard scoring pass, and Steve Jones added a seven-yard touchdown run.