Wesley Sanders powers Glenbard South

Updated: October 28, 2011 11:19PM

Wesley Sanders is Glenbard South’s power source. He is the player of rest of the Raiders orbit around.

“We have a sophomore [Alex Jeske] at quarterback, so it’s only natural that we’re going to get our rhythm from running the ball,” the senior running back said.

Sanders scored two touchdowns and rushed for 114 yards on 15 carries to power the visiting Raiders to a 30-7 victory over Foreman in a first round Class 6A state playoff game Friday night at Lane.

The Raiders advance to play the winner of the Prairie Ridge and Marmion game in the second round.

Sanders did most of his damage in the first half, rushing for 104 yards on 14 carries. His two touchdowns helped the Raiders (7-3) race out to a 22-0 lead at the break.

“It’s all the offensive line,” Sanders said. “They’re the ones that make us go.” Sanders’ three-yard burst capped a 10-play, 58-yard first quarter drive for the Raiders’ early 6-0 advantage. Wingback Justin Gjerarzi (eight carries, 76 yards) broke a 29-yard run around the left end on fourth and two.

After the Raiders recorded a safety after Forman snapped the ball out of the end zone, Jeske directed a 10-play, 52-yard drive that he finished off with a one-yard keeper. His 17-yard swing pass to Zach Smith on third and 14 was the crucial conversion on the drive.

On the ensuing kick off, linebacker David Hentges recovered a Foreman fumble at the Hornets’ 22-yard line. Sanders broke around the left side on a six-yard burst for his second touchdown. “The defense made a lot of big plays and the offense picked up from that momentum,” Sanders said.

Glenbard South turned the game into a rout with a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive, all on the ground, that consumed nearly seven minutes of the third quarter clock. Senior all-purpose back Elven Walker finished the drive in style with a quick cutback that he turned into a smooth five-yard touchdown run.

Glenbard South limited the Hornets to just 25 yards offense and two first downs in the first half.

Foreman quarterback Sergio Serrano threw a swing pass that back Brandon Johnson turned into a 35-yard swing pass and touchdown for the Hornets (7-3) in the fourth quarter.

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