Friday’s football game between Evanston and Glenbrook South shouldn’t be considered a must-win contest for either team.
The Wildkits, who will host the 7:30 p.m. game, are 3-2 overall, and the Titans are 4-1. But both are coming off losses in the their respective CSL South openers, and both teams are looking to tighten up several things for the second half of the season.
“For four weeks, we’ve been talking about taking care of the little things,” Evanston coach Mike Burzawa said. “We had to learn that lesson the hard way Saturday. Hopefully, we can make some fixes and get better.”
Evanston lost a winnable game Saturday to Niles West. Twice, the Wildkits held a one-touchdown lead before losing 23-17.
Penalties hurt Evanston as much as anything against the Wolves. They played a part in all 10 of Niles West’s points in the second half. Evanston had four penalties in the fourth quarter alone.
“You can’t do that and expect to win games,” said Burzawa, who’s taken the Wildkits to the playoffs three years in a row. “I am responsible for that. That’s undisciplined football, and it’s been an issue.
“Everybody needs to stay focused and tuned in to the game. We can’t control every call, and no one call makes a difference. But they do add up.”
Despite dominating its first four opponents, Glenbrook South also is in need of fine-tuning, Titans coach Mike Noll confirmed Monday.
“We have to take a hard look at ourselves,” Noll said. “The kids have to make a jump this week.”
The Titans were exposed on the defensive side of the ball in their 42-21 loss Friday at Maine South, which won its 61st consecutive conference game. Two Hawks running backs — junior Justin Fahey and senior Clay Burdelik — combined for 251 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries.
“Stopping the run comes down to winning the line of scrimmage and linebackers filling the gaps and making tackles,” said Noll, who’s looking to extend Glenbrook South’s playoff streak to nine seasons. “We didn’t do that. You’re not going to win any game giving up that many yards on the ground.”
2012: Glenbrook South 24, Evanston 8
2011: Glenbrook South 26, Evanston 7
2010: Evanston 34, Glenbrook South 31
2009: Glenbrook South 35, Evanston 14
2008: Glenbrook South 55, Evanston 7
2007: Glenbrook South 56, Evanston 6
2006: Glenbrook South 55, Evanston 22
2005: Glenbrook South 17, Evanston 13
2004: Evanston 29, Glenbrook South 23
2003: Evanston 39, Glenbrook South 19
