Multitalented running back Ryan Janczak leads Glenbrook South past Evanston

GLENVIEW — Glenbrook South keeps it rather simple when it runs the ball.

The Titans primarily stuck to three types of runs against Evanston: a jet sweep where one of its running backs goes in motion and receives the ball, a fullback dive and a trap for the running back. Those three types of runs emphasize different strengths of the Titans’ running backs — power, speed and vision. Junior Ryan Janczak showed against Evanston he has all three of those attributes.

Janczak ran for 227 yards and four touchdowns in Glenbrook South’s 49-28 victory over the Wildkits in a Central Suburban South game. The game started Thursday, was postponed because of lightning and concluded Friday afternoon.

“Ryan Janczak has kind of come alive the last couple weeks and been the back we know he can be,” Glenbrook South coach Mike Noll said.

At first glance, it’s clear Janczak has power because of his build. On the mere mention of the size of Janczak’s legs, Glenbrook South linebacker and fullback Quinn Conaghan laughed and said, “Oh my God, they’re huge.”

Conaghan added: “It’s clear, just by looking at him, what he can do. And he really did it [against Evanston].”

Janczak also has good speed in the open field. He demonstrated that on a 65-yard touchdown run in the first quarter when the Titans’ offensive line opened a massive hole. Janczak sprinted through it and ran right to the end zone.

Then, in the second quarter, Janczak received the ball on a dive play up the middle. He broke through the defense and used his 4.65 speed to run 64 yards to the end zone.

There were Evanston defensive backs in pursuit of Janczak on both long touchdowns, but they couldn’t catch him in either instance.

“I have to give a lot of credit to the offensive line,” Janczak said. “I think on both my big runs, I was untouched through the line of scrimmage. That’s just blocking and execution.”

Junior Mario Ramirez and seniors Dan Neuson, Kyle Wright, Mike Berg and Kyle Gorman played on the line Friday afternoon.

Janczak’s most memorable runs showed his speed, yet Noll was impressed by the vision Janczak exhibited against Evanston (2-4, 0-2).

“I’m seeing him adjust,” Noll said. “The hole was in a different place — and the first series, he cut in tight.”

Noll added: “I think he can be really good. As soon as he learns to use his power, and then that vision [continues to develop]; because the hole isn’t always going to be where you think it’s going to be. All that aptitude is coming along.”

Evanston

• Glenbrook South (5-1, 1-1) was ahead 35-14 in the second quarter Thursday night when the game was postponed till Friday afternoon due to lightning. The Titans’ Fitz Stadler (9-for-12, 204 yards) found senior tight end Sean McDonagh for a pair of touchdowns once the game resumed. That put Glenbrook South up 49-14. Evanston junior running back Micquel Roseman later scored a pair of touchdowns to make it 49-28.

• Roseman finished the game with 17 carries, 142 yards and three touchdowns. Evanston’s other touchdown was scored on a 5-yard pass from junior Matt Little (15-for-25, 169 yards) to senior tight end Ferris Ingraham.

• Evanston senior wide receiver Brandon Hilliard followed up his six-touchdown performance on Sept. 26 against Niles West with eight catches for 101 yards. He also ran five times for 39 yards.