Rushing leads Spartans past Maine West

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:30PM

Grant Rushing lived up to his last name with a career game for Glenbrook North Friday night.

The sophomore and first-year varsity running back established new career highs in yardage and touchdowns in a 48-7 Central Suburban North victory at Maine West. He rushed for 171 yards on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns on runs of 3, 23, 42 and 4 yards. Rushing had 109 yards in the first half and scored his first three touchdowns in the second quarter as GBN outscored the Warriors 21-7.

Rushing's previous career-high was 150 yards in a win over Niles West in Week 4.

"It's blocking pretty much," Rushing said. "I just pretty much try to do my best. (Fullback) Nick (Freund) helps too."

Freund rushed for 67 yards on 11 carries and scored the game's final touchdown on a 3-yard run. Both running backs ran behind an offensive line which was missing center Justin Goldberg (illness). His replacement was John Cram.

The Spartans (5-1, 2-0) won their third consecutive game and became playoff eligible. Maine West (1-5, 0-2) lost its fourth consecutive game and may miss starting quarterback Ziggy Krycka for the rest of the season. Kyrcka was injured with 9:28 remaining in the third quarter with a possible leg fracture, according to Warriors coach Chris Hare.

Krycka (seven carries, 93 yards) had the lone Maine West offensive highlight with a 47-yard TD run in the second quarter to pull the Warriors to within 20-7. Maine West gained only 35 total yards of offense and one first down in the second half.

"That team is so much bigger and faster than us," Hare said. "It's the biggest line I've ever seen. They're a better team. It's that simple."

For the second consecutive game, GBN receiver Armin Batang (three catches, 117 yards) caught two TD passes from Zach Hilgendorf. He caught a 44-yard TD pass to end the game's opening possession and his 61-yard TD pass put the Spartans ahead 20-0.

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