Cohen settles in, leads Glenbrook S. past Evanston

Glenbrook South’s Max Cohen had a quiet beginning to the Titans’ 24-8 victory over Evanston on Friday night.

Four of Cohen’s first five passes fell incomplete, but the senior quarterback caught fire soon after Glenbrook South’s defense forced its third turnover of the first half.

Cohen completed his final four passes of the first half, including a 25-yard touchdown to running back Brett Laurie to give the Titans (3-2 overall, 1-0 CSL South) a 10-0 lead at halftime. Then, on the second play of the second half, Cohen delivered the game’s knockout blow when he threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Cody Carroll.

“I knew that I had to get going in order for us to have a chance to win the game,” said Cohen, who went 7-for-13 for 180 yards and two touchdowns. “Having turnovers back-to-back in the first half was incredible as a momentum changer. We didn’t really do much with it in the beginning, but just to have (the momentum), get the ball back and keep it out of their offense’s hands was a big deal.”

Evanston’s offense was able to move the ball in the first half, but the Wildkits (3-2, 0-1) fumbled once and had two passes intercepted by Glenbrook South safety Michael Potter.

Glenbrook South’s high-powered offense quickly built up an insurmountable 24-point lead once Cohen found his rhythm.

“Obviously turnovers had a big impact,” Evanston coach Mike Burzawa said. “We were only down 3-0 with three turnovers in the first half, and then they were able to get that late score on us (in the first half). You can’t turn the ball over and win on the road.”

Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Thursday to read more about the Glenbrook South and Evanston football teams.