Glenbard South Football Travels to Missouri, GBW Hopes for Perfect Season

Glenbard South at Fort Zumwalt South (Mo.)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Fort Zumwalt South High School, 8050 Mexico Road, St. Peters, Mo.

Records: Glenbard South 5-3, 4-0; Fort Zumwalt South 5-3, 3-2

Last week: Glenbard South 61, Ridgewood 20; Fort Zumwalt South 39, Timberland 21

Head coaches: Jeremy Cordell, Glenbard South; Scott Fulton, Fort Zumwalt South

Key players

Glenbard South: Kyle Avaloy, OL; Nick Boesso, LB; Zach Bava, LB; Matt Loos, RB; Tyler Padera, QB; Wes Sanders, RB

Fort Zumwalt South: Chase Abbington, RB; Dillon Bowman, DB; Oscar Dillon, RB; Chris Hood, OL; Brett Simon, QB; Marcus Smith, RB

About the game

Following a 1-3 start, the Raiders turned their season completely around and became playoff eligible by winning their last four contests and marching to the Metro Suburban Conference title after throttling Ridgewood last Friday.

This weekend, high-flying Glenbard South travels to , located in St. Peters, just outside of St. Louis, for its regular season finale. The Bulldogs, who compete in the Gateway Athletic North Conference, run what’s called a “pistol” offense, where Simon lines up in a shotgun formation with Abbington positioned as a deep setback. Abbington, a junior (6-4, 200), is a speedster who led the Bulldogs in scoring, rushing and receiving last year. Fort Zumwalt South also has an experienced defense and some size up front, with Hood tipping the scales at over 320 pounds.

The Show-Me State could be in for a show at the Bulldogs’ expense after Sanders crosses the border and makes his way out on the field. Sanders rushed for more than 150 yards and took it to the house three more times last week, giving him 18 touchdowns for the season. Padera also enjoyed a productive evening, one of Padera’s runs was a 63-yard TD.

Results of games against out-of-state opponents figure into the mix when the IHSA announces playoff pairings Saturday evening, so there is incentive for the Raiders to finish out with a victory.

Glenbard West at Downers North

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Downers North High School, 4436 Main St., Downers Grove

Records: Glenbard West 8-0, 5-0; Downers North 2-6, 1-4

Last week: Glenbard West 45, York 0; Hinsdale Central 23, Downers North 16

Head coaches: Chad Hetlet, Glenbard West; John Wander, Downers North

Key players

Glenbard West: Avery Balogh, RB; Johnny Caspers, OL; Andrew Larkin, LB; Justice Odom, QB; Tommy Schutt, DL; Joey Zito, RB

Downers North: Ryan Henry, WR; John Holecek, DL; Riley McGinnis, QB; Tony Rada, RB-LB; Brandon Salter, LB; Robert Sheppard, DB-RB

About the game

Last week, the No. 1-ranked Hilltoppers wrapped up the West Suburban Silver championship outright for the first time since 2009 following their second shutout victory—this one over York. Ending the regular season with a spotless record shouldn’t be much of an issue when Glenbard West visits Downers North, which has dropped five of its last six games.

McGinnis is a competent quarterback for the Trojans, but it really doesn’t matter who’s behind center for the opposition these days—or which running back or wideout happens to be an offensive threat for the other team. The Hilltoppers’ defense is stopping everyone cold. Glenbard West has given up an average of just over four points per game during the past four games. Proviso West scored 13 points in week six, but the Panthers tallied one of their TDs late in the game when reserves were on the field.

The only concern right now for the Hilltoppers is staying away from injuries as they steam-roll into the playoffs. Larkin didn’t play last week after injuring his knee in practice, but there is encouraging news about Odom. Following the York game, Odom, who sprained his left knee against Proviso, reported that he would have played against the Dukes had the contest been close. He said he’ll likely see action on Friday night for the first time in nearly three weeks.