Justice Odom is the sixth member of his family to play for Glenbard West. | Tamara Bell~Sun-Times Media.
Ray Odom isn’t ready to crown his family as the First Family of Glenbard West football. At least, not yet.
That could change if senior quarterback Justice Odom leads the Hilltoppers to the Class 7A state title this fall. Odom became the sixth member of his family to suit up in the Hitters uniform when he played defensive back last season after transferring from Wheaton Warrenville South.
Odom’s older brothers Nathanael and Luke played for the Tigers. But Justice, who grew up as a ball boy for WW South, moved to Glen Ellyn when the family’s matriarch, Grandma Zady, was hospitalized. Zady has since recovered from her illness. Justice transferred midway through the school year and started taking classes at Glenbard West in January 2010.
Justice’s father, Ray, was the first of four brothers to play for legendary coach Bill Duchon in the 1970s. Theo Odom, a 2009 graduate, was an All-State defensive lineman for West’s 2008 state semifinalist. Since Theo is an adopted son of Zady, Theo became another of Justice’s uncles to play for Glenbard West although he was born just a few years before Justice.
Because of Theo, who is like a cousin, Justice’s transition to Glenbard West was seamless.
“Theo is a great person,” Justice said. “Family wise, he is one of the most caring people in the family. He will help you out if you need a ride. He goes out of his way to help you as much as he can.”
One of the first players to welcome Justice was Tommy Schutt. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior defensive lineman is now ranked as the Chicago area’s No. 2 prospect for the Class of 2012 by YourSeason.com.
Justice Odom becomes the first pupil for new Glenbard West quarterbacks coach Mike DiMatteo, the former coach at Hinsdale Central and Lake Zurich.
Ray Odom is willing to relinquish the title of Glenbard West’s First Football Family to the Cvengros clan.
“If Justice has the kind of season his coaches expect him to have, maybe a state title or they go undefeated, we could be considered the First Family,” Ray said. “Until then, we’re in the mix.”
What the Cvengros family has that the Odoms lack is a state championship medal — in a Green and White uniform. Bob Cvengros, a 1984 graduate, played for the school’s only state football championship team in 1983 when the Hilltoppers beat Bartonville-Limestone for the Class 5A title. Bob was among five players to have four tackles in the 21-7 victory.
The irony is that Justice Odom already has a state championship medal, but it came with WW South in 2009. Justice was a sophomore call-up for the playoffs when the Tigers beat Glenbard West 31-24 in overtime for the Class 7A title. He did not play in the championship game.
Bob Cvengros was the fourth of five brothers to play for Glenbard West, including Joe (1976 grad), Andy (1977), Mike (1982) and David (1986). Andy married Nancy Mesch, whose nephews J.T. and Justin also played at Glenbard West. In the 2009 title game, J.T. Mesch led the Hilltoppers with seven catches for 68 yards and had two tackles on defense.
College recruiters are starting to discover Justice, who is being recruited as an athlete since he is playing quarterback for the first time. He received his first offer in the summer from Toledo and is considering Bowling Green, Akron and Navy.
Justice is taking on a leadership role for a team considered the favorite in the West Suburban Silver. In addition to Schutt, the Hilltoppers have 6-3, 270-pound offensive lineman Johnny Caspers, YourSeason.com’s 16th-ranked senior prospect.
“Last year was hard,” Justice Odom said. “We had older kids that ran the team.”
Justice’s father, Ray, graduated in 1973. His other uncles to play for Glenbard West were Nathaniel (1975), Larry (1976) and John (1977). John was a teammate with Andy Cvengros on the 1976 Class 5A state runner-up team.
John Odom scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime during a 22-21 championship loss to St. Laurence. Odom rushed for a team-high 52 yards on 21 carries. Odom also returned two kickoffs for 52 yards. Andy Cvengros had eight tackles in what became Duchon’s final game.
It wasn’t easy for Justice Odom’s family to leave WW South. He was the last of seven kids to attend the school and he has three more cousins, through his uncle John, who are going to WW South.
Justice’s mother, Joan, is one of the Tigers’ biggest fans. She went to WW South and is the aunt of former quarterback Jon Beutjer, who led the Tigers to their fourth of seven state championships in 1998.
Jon Beutjer is currently an assistant coach at Lyons. He will meet his cousin, Justice, on the field again when the Hilltoppers play at Western Springs on Sept. 9 in Week 3.
Before that game, there will be plenty of strained relationships within the Odom family. Glenbard West has dropped its season-opening rivalry with crosstown Glenbard South and has renewed its annual season opener against WW South.
The Hilltoppers travel to Grange Field for this year’s season opener Aug. 26. The first day of two-a-day preseason practices is Aug. 10.
