Glenbard North runs over Oak Park

Updated: August 27, 2011 1:30AM

Glenbard North took advantage of a deep running game to defeat Oak Park 40-20 in Carol Stream Friday.

The Panthers started the scoring as senior quarterback Brian Murphy connected with wide receiver Solomon Oquendo on a 37-yard touchdown pass, putting the Panthers up 6-0 late in the first quarter.

On the team’s next drive, senior running back Phil Jackson got the Panthers to the 3-yard line with a 67-yard run. Jackson then gave the Panthers a 12-0 lead on the ensuing play with a three-yard touchdown run up the middle. Jackson finished the game with 11 carries for 109 yards and one touchdown.

Backup running back Mario Rodriguez scored three touchdown for the Panthers. Rodriguez returned a a punt 52 yards for a score in the second quarter, putting the Panthers up 19-0. Rodriguez later added second-half touchdown runs of 9 and 7 yards.

Murphy ended the first half scoring for the Panthers with a 33-yard touchdown run on an option keeper. The Panthers led the Huskies 26-0 at halftime.

“It all starts with the line, they did really good tonight. They exceeded their expectations,” said Jackson. “Then we’ve got out three running backs, me, Justin [Jackson] and Mario. I think we should be pretty good this season.”

Even though his team had a 26-0 halftime lead, Panthers head coach Ryan Wilkens thought his team played better in the second half.

“In the second half I thought we did a better job moving the ball the way we would like to. They shut us down a little bit in the first half, the second half we came out and played a little bit better,” said Wilkens.

Oak Park quarterback John Phelan bounced back from a forgettable first half (1-8 for 20 yards) with a touchdown scoring drive to start the second half. Phalen ended the drive when he hit a wide open Ryan Nelson for a 54 yard touchdown.

The Huskies got second half touchdowns on an 80-yard fumble recovery from cornerback Kenneth Cheatham and a 29-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dain Mrozek to wide receiver Jamal Baggett.

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