Glenbard North backfield carries the load

Glenbard North’s tailback tandem of Justin and Phil Jackson outran Barrington’s power run offense Saturday night, carrying the Panthers to a 27-21 upset win to the open the 8A playoffs.

The Jackson brothers combined for 217 yards rushing. Justin, a sophomore, found the endzone three times on his 17 carries while Phil, a senior, gained 122 yards on 21 rushes.

The Panthers only completed two passes on the night, but the second proved to be an improbable game-winner.

With the scored tied at 21 halfway through the fourth quarter, Glenbard North quarterback Brian Murphy narrowly evaded a sack, rolled to his right and lofted a ball between a half-dozen jerseys in the back of the Barrington end zone.

Amid several Broncos defenders, and his own teammates, Panthers tight-end Logan Henshall came down with the ball -- the first catch of his varsity career.

“It was a prayer. It was a prayer,” Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens admitted after the game. “He was flushed and our quarterback got composed a little bit and threw it up. Really what jersey he threw to, who knows, but Henshall came down with it.”

Glenbard North missed the point-after attempt, but Barrington was unable to pick up a first down on its ensuing possession.

When the Panthers got the ball back with 3:22 remaining, the Jackson brothers ran out the clock to seal the 27-21 win at Barrington.

The Broncos were led by its standout running back Chase Murdock, who carried the ball 32 times for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Murdock’s first score capped off an 11-play, 99-yard first quarter drive that pulled the Broncos up to a 7-7 tie.

Barrington’s second touchdown came from 7 yards out when quarterback Mark Bennett found wide receiver Sam Handler in the flat to convert a 4th and 1 late in the second quarter.

The ground and pound battle was tied at 14 at the half.

The Panthers and Broncos traded short touchdown runs in the third quarter. Justin Jackson scored from two yards out for the Panthers before Murdock answered with a 4-yard, tackle-breaking touchdown of his own.

Tied at 21, the Murphy to Henshall heroics proved to be the only six points scored in the final quarter.

The loss marked the 6-seeded Broncos second consecutive first round playoff exit on its home field.

“I thought our kids played hard all the way till the end,” Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said. “They gave a valiant effort tonight. Unfortunately, we came a few plays short.”

Murdock, who was among 34 Barrington seniors to play their final game high school game Saturday, credited Glenbard North for executing its smash-mouth game plan.

“It hurts, but you have to move on,” he said. “We are going to enjoy all the memories we had together.”

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