Laurie sidelined in Glenbrook South playoff loss

Brett Laurie, arguably Glenbrook South’s best player, did next to nothing Friday in the team’s season-ending loss.

The junior suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter and watched from the sideline as the Titans lost to Schaumburg 42-7 in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs.

“Yeah, it was definitely hard,” said Laurie, who started on offense, defense and returned kicks this year. “I couldn’t do anything about it. Yeah, it was tough.”

A playoff regular since 2005, Glenbrook South (5-5) finished with its worst record since going 4-5 in 2004.

Friday’s loss was the team’s first in the opening round since 2008.

More than anything, Laurie, who played two series on defense and one on offense, wanted to make a difference in the playoffs. After all, he was a second-year starter this season and one of the team’s leaders.

“I expected to make an impact this year,” said Laurie, the team’s top rusher and best cover cornerback. “I wanted to play hard, do my job and be a leader.”

Laurie once again will be a centerpiece for next year, along with junior receiver Cody Carroll. Laurie, who said his injury involved his AC joint, can’t wait to get started in the offseason.

“I expect to be the Mike Demos of a couple of years ago,” Laurie said of the former starting lineman and 2012 graduate. “I will have the most experience, and I want to lead the workouts. I know some of the players will be looking up to me. I want to set an example for those guys.”

Laurie is so serious about football he’s considering giving up baseball. He’s thinking about playing football in college, although it’s early.

“Baseball is a great sport,” he said. “But football is No. 1 for me. I want to focus on football.”