Glenbrook South 30, Niles West 20
THE SKINNY
Glenbrook South senior running back Brett Laurie rushed for two touchdowns and caught another to lead the Titans (7-2 overall, 3-2 CSL South) to a win over visiting Niles West (6-3, 2-3) in a fairly sloppy game between two playoff-bound teams in Glenview. Glenbrook South’s red-zone defense twice held the Wolves to field-goal attempts, both of which were missed.
TURNING POINT
Glenbrook South led 16-13 at halftime. On the Titans’ first possession after the break, Laurie caught a pass over the middle, broke a few tackles and got free for a 77-yard touchdown.
THE STARS
With senior fullback Steven Schroeder out with an injury, Glenbrook South’s three-pronged running attack had only two of its pieces. But Laurie and senior tailback Michael Gentile were both dangerous for a team that increasingly has relied on the run since star wide receiver Cody Carroll injured his collar bone. Niles West senior defensive back and wide receiver Andrew Mihulet had another interception, giving him six in the last three weeks. Mihulet also caught a touchdown pass.
BY THE NUMBERS
Laurie carried 21 times for 122 yards and Gentile had 21 carries for 99 yards. Gentile also caught a touchdown. He had a 7-yard grab that put the Titans up 30-13 early in the fourth quarter.
QUOTABLE
“We won the ballgame, that’s the key. Hopefully we can host a playoff game next week. That was kind of our goal. But, we’ve played really sloppy two weeks in a row now. It’s really concerning.” — Glenbrook South coach Mike Noll