Cole Greenberg runs the show as Highland Park routs Maine West

DES PLAINES — As Cole Greenberg streaked down the left sideline for the first of his three touchdowns Thursday, his coaches hollered at him relentlessly.

“Just keep running, Cole!” they shouted. “Keep running!”

And in Highland Park’s 42-0 playoff-clinching rout of CSL North opponent Maine West, the senior running back did keep running. He scored three touchdowns in a span of 5:21 during the first quarter until he lined up under center for the first time in his career early in the fourth.

Greenberg was listed as the backup quarterback because regular second-stringer Toby Tigges sat out due to illness. In the Giants’ Week 2 matchup against Mundelein, coaches caught a glimpse of Greenberg’s throwing abilities while he was lined up at his usual tailback position. He threw a 66-yard TD to wide receiver Jack McGuire on a “toss-pass” play, catching a pitch from quarterback Sam Nevers and connecting with McGuire.

Greenberg is now 2-for-2 with 92 yards and a touchdown on the season. On Thursday, Greenberg threw one pass — a 26-yard completion down the right sideline to junior wide receiver Joey White, who confessed that he was “praying” that he would catch the ball.

“Cole deserves to have a little fun,” Highland Park coach Hal Chiodo said. “He can obviously do some things. He’s pretty doggone good.”

“It’s been a joke all year that I’ve wanted to play quarterback,” said Greenberg, who rushed for 127 yards on the night. “Last night, the coaches told me that I’d get a chance. It was amazing.”

All scoring occurred during the first half, and the lopsided tally led officials to implement a running clock after halftime. The Giants moved to 6-0 for the first time since 1964 and sealed their second-straight playoff berth.

“We did it all over again,” senior defensive lineman Arrie Mitchell said. “We’re playoff-bound. We’re ready.”

“We’ve been working really hard for this,” senior linebacker Aaron Brown said. “Now, every win we get gives us a better seed and a better chance to make it further in the playoffs.”

After Greenberg’s three first-quarter TDs started the scoring for the Giants, a 21-point second quarter settled the game. Nevers hit senior Tommy Rudman for a 17-yard score, Luke Norcia returned a punt 56 yards to the end zone and Nevers punched in a 1-yard rushing TD.

“I’m proud of the guys,” Chiodo said. “Scoring 42 points in the first half — that’s a pretty good job.”

The Giants’ defense recorded its first shutout of the season, allowing Maine West (1-5, 0-2) to gain just 203 yards on the night. Quarterback Matt Acevedo completed just 14-of-35 passes for 132 yards and an interception.

“It was a group effort,” Brown said. “Things went our way, and we were able to keep the goose egg on the board.”

“It was mental and physical toughness,” Mitchell said. “We knew we needed to get up on these boys and break their will. That’s all we had to do.”