Glenbrook North senior running back Grant Rushing gained 244 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns to lead his team to a 42-14 win over Deerfield in Friday’s Central Suburban North opener.
Rushing carried 11 times and scored on runs of 15, 49 and 78 yards, literally breaking tackles and figuratively breaking ankles each time he touched the ball. He also caught a short pass and ran it for a 57-yard score. The Spartans (4-1, 1-0) won their fourth straight game.
“The offensive line helped me so much,” Rushing said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to make those cuts. We work all week, all year (on creating space). I’m glad those guys were there for me.”
Rushing wasn’t the only offensive star for the Spartans. Sophomore David Burnside, a call-up from the sophomore team, caught two touchdown passes in his varsity debut.
Burnside opened the scoring in the first quarter when he caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback A.J. Spitz.
Rushing made it 14-0 with a 15-yard run late in the first quarter.
Deerfield (1-4, 0-1) got to within 14-7 in the second quarter when junior Landen Hinds scored on a 6-yard run.
But the Warriors could not stop Rushing, who scored twice more before the end of the half.
“We didn’t make tackles. We didn’t make tackles against a good running back. That’s what happened,” Deerfield head coach Steve Winiecki said. “We have to tackle better. If you’re going to play good defense, you have to tackle … we didn’t tackle.”
Friday was the second time Rushing has surpassed 200 rushing yards this season. In Week 2, Rushing ran for a career-high 295 yards on 16 carries and scored five touchdowns, including one on a 39-yard pass.
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Thursday to read more about the Glenbrook North and Deerfield football teams.
