Left side of offensive line helps Maine South beat Glenbrook South

GLENVIEW — The Maine South football team scored five rushing touchdowns in its 42-7 Central Suburban South victory over Glenbrook South on Friday night, and all five scores had something in common: They were runs to the left.

Left tackle Mike Erskine and left guard Kevin Jarvis used their quickness, size and strength to manhandle Glenbrook South’s undersized defensive front Friday.

“We’re more of a power side,” Erskine said. “The left side has to be the strongest side, I believe. … Me and Jarvis get off the ball really quick, and we know what to do; get in front of the guy and keep moving our legs.”

That helped senior running back Justin Fahey score three rushing touchdowns. Senior running back Kevin Thomas and senior wide receiver Ryan Gibbons finished with one rushing touchdown apiece.

Maine South junior quarterback Brian Collis also was effective. He finished 20-for-24 with 319 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown was a 22-yard strike to senior tight end Vinny Labus in the first quarter. It gave the Hawks a 14-0 lead.

Erskine and Jarvis are at very different points in their high school careers. Erskine, who’s listed at 6-3 and 260 pounds, is a seasoned senior who knows each position on the offensive line very well. He backed up Brendan Brosnan, who now plays for Penn State, a year ago.

Jarvis is only a sophomore, but he makes Erskine look undersized. Jarvis is listed at 6-5 and 310 pounds on the Hawks’ roster. He has powerful, massive hands that — along with his strength, work ethic and quickness — have helped him become a starter. Maine South coach Dave Inserra said Jarvis is the first offensive lineman he can recall from his tenure at the school who started at the position as a 10th grader.

Those attributes also make him an elite prospect moving forward.

“His potential, senior year, is enormous,” Erskine said. “He can go wherever if he keeps playing football as hard as he does.”

Inserra echoed Erskine.

“He can write his own ticket to pretty much any school he wants,” he said. “There’s so many guys on this field that would love to have his size. He’s just got to continue to work — as he has.”

Jarvis has always been huge. He said he’s pretty much always been the biggest kid in his class photos. Last year, he was part of Maine South’s freshman team, and that was rare because he had always played with older kids growing up as a result of his size.

That’s true again this year, but Jarvis said varsity has been unlike anything he’s experienced before.

“It’s a totally different game,” he said. “Everything [is different]; bigger guys, people are way faster. The play can change from the huddle to the line. It’s insane. But it’s been fun adjusting to everything.”

Jarvis said the other members of the line — especially Erskine to his left and senior Tyler Bolger, who’s the team’s starting right guard — have been very helpful since he entered the starting lineup in Week 3.

“Everybody’s just taken me under their wing and helped me learn everything,” Jarvis said.

Erskine added: “He’s been improving every, single week. He’s been doing really good, and I feel really confident in the left side.”

Glenbrook South

• Glenbrook South (4-1, 0-1) trailed 35-0 at halftime. The Titans scored their lone touchdown in the third quarter when junior Ryan Janczak (14 carries, 97 yards) scored on a 3-yard run.

• Maine South’s pass defense held Glenbrook South senior quarterback Fitz Stadler (7-for-24) to 58 yards passing.