Rushing excels in Glenbrook North win

Grant Rushing ran for four touchdowns and threw a halfback option pass 38 yards for another as Glenbrook North clinched the Central Suburban North with a 48-28 victory over Highland Park Friday night in Northbrook.

Rushing’s scoring pass to Alex Zera with 58 seconds left in the second quarter gave the Spartans (7-1, 4-0) a 27-7 lead. Rushing then intercepted Highland Park (3-5, 3-1) quarterback Tommy Sutker on the next play, leading to AJ Spitz connecting with David Burnside on a 24-yard score as Glenbrook North built a 34-7 halftime cushion.

“He’s a big, strong running back, who’s very hard to bring down,” Highland Park coach Hal Chiodo said about Rushing. “He’s certainly first team all-state in my opinion.”

Rushing, who also had two interceptions, finished with 189 yards on 16 carries. Spitz had two touchdown passes and Zera caught two TD throws. Spitz carried the ball 11 times for 127 yards.

“This (winning conference) is just the best feeling in the world,” Rushing said. “I’m at a loss for words right now.”

Highland Park’s Andrew Sledd had touchdown runs of 29 and five yards and had 107 yards on 18 attempts. Sutker had a 25-yard touchdown pass to Grant Paley and a two-yarder to Noah Pickus. He also threw two interceptions as the Giants had four turnovers in all.

“We’ve been playing real well offensively,” Glenbrook North coach Bob Pieper said. “Grant wants the ball and he gets it, whether he’s running, catching, throwing, playing defense, punting, or returning punts and kickoffs. He does a little bit of everything.”