This is one of the biggest games of the Glenbard West boys football team’s season. It was not only our homecoming game but also against Lyons Township (LT), a team that went 12-1 last season. This year, their record was 3-1 so far… that was before they played Glenbard West. The game started off with our team running out of the tunnel and bringing the energy. Everyone was hyped and locked in, ready to play.
The start of the game: Safety Jack Davis (#2) had the first stop, and at the fourth down, Lyons Township had to punt. Our team has kept a hold on their undefeated record, and they do not want to lose that. This is how some key players are feeling before the game.
Inside Linebacker/Fullback Scott Segebarth (#6) said he “doesn’t really get nervous before games; he never really has”. I also asked Segebarth how it feels to have so many people supporting him and his team at all the games. He said he “likes the environment it sets for the opposing team with all of the Glenbard West fans there.”
To say the least, our team is very confident; they have every reason to be, with their 5-0 record, they are unstoppable. Continuing on with the game, Jamarcus Kelly (#4) had the first big run.
Following that, Wide Receiver Chase Cavan (#11) had a great catch, getting the team off to a great start. Segebarth had a great tackle with 8 minutes and 30 seconds left in the first quarter, ball at the 19-yard line.
Quarterback AJ Rayford (#12) was throwing his team amazing passes, helping Kelly run in a touchdown with 1:19 left in the quarter. The score was 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. LT had a few good plays, but that didn’t stop Cornerback MJ Wargin (#33) from getting an insane interception, getting us the ball back with 8:52 left in the half. Glenbard seemed to know exactly how to play against this team.
I asked Jayden Daniels how he and his team prepared for big games. He responded with how “they know it’s gonna be a fight, and they will study the film for hours, making sure they are prepared for anything LT and any team will bring against them”, recognizing their tendencies and knowing how they play, as well as what they could be planning to try and throw our team off.
LT had an interception at 8:10 and ended up making a field goal at 5:24 left in the half. The score was now 7-3; Hitters are still in the lead. Cavan had a great game; he was helping the team tremendously. With 37 seconds left in the half, Cavan scored a touchdown, making the score at the end of the half 14-3. Jack Swick (#43), our kicker, made the extra point.
Middle Linebacker/Fullback Max Hetlet (#5), having a great game against LT, said that “The coaches are his biggest influence on the team. They tell the boys good stories that give them valuable lessons to learn from.” The coaches are pushing these boys through all of these games, making them headstrong and even more determined to stay undefeated and keep up their reputation.
Kelly had a 57-yard touchdown, absolutely insane. He was going crazy this game. The score was 23-10 with 7:26 left in the game.
LT had a touchdown with 2:57 left in the game, but Glenbard was still up.
These boys ended this game with a great victory, doing Cornerback/Safety Derrick Burrows (#21)’s favorite thing: “Everyone running up to the student section to meet the fans. This was a great homecoming game for the Hilltoppers; they had a great game, and this game is one we won’t forget.
