O’Brien: Soph Tyquan Cox steps up to spark Glenbard West past Homewood-Flossmoor

Two of the area’s most successful programs met in one of the area’s most picturesque stadiums in a Class 8A second round state playoff game on Saturday. It was high-powered Homewood Flossmoor against Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn.

Two great coaches, two teams loaded with veteran players. But the game swung on an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by sophomore Tyquan Cox, who wasn’t even listed on Glenbard West’s roster.

“Definitely the biggest play of my career so far,” Cox said. “We were not playing strong at the end of the first half. It changed the game around a lot, got momentum flowing our way.”

The Hilltoppers won 28-21. Cox’s explosive return to open the second half put Glenbard West (9-2) ahead for good at 14-7.

“I was just patient back there, waited for my blocks to set up,” Cox said. “As soon as I saw the middle wedge set I hit it hard. I felt a guy on me but was able to break the tack. After that I just sprinted past the kicker and I was gone into the end zone. It was a big play.”

Running back Ryan Diver’s longest run was 15 yards, but he carved up the Vikings bit by bit, finishing with 15 carries for 167 yards and one touchdown.

“We just had to do whatever we could to keep the yards going,” Diver said.

Junior Jack Campanella had two key interceptions. His first pick was late in the second quarter on the Glenbard West 5.

“They were running that hitch most of the first half and then in goal line I tightened up and just jumped it and picked it,” Campanella said.

The second interception, in the fourth quarter, effectively ended any chance the Vikings (10-1) had at a comeback.

“We keyed all week on [H-F wide receiver Tyrice Richie], he was their guy,” Campanella said. “And once they figured out they couldn’t get the ball to him they were just lost, they couldn’t do anything.

Homewood-Flossmoor quarterback Bryant Wright was 16-for-22 for 174 yards. He threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Duplessis and had three balls intercepted.

Wright had 20 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown. The Vikings were never really able to get their running game rolling, possibly due to the grass field.

“They hadn’t played on grass this year,” Campanella said. “You could see they were slipping around. We were used to it, we were flying around making plays.”

The grass field is one massive advantage for the Hilltoppers. The school’s fervent fanbase is another.

“It really helps, it is definitely responsible for a lot of our wins, having the whole community around us,” Diver said. “We are playing for something bigger than ourselves or even the team, we are playing for the whole town.”

Glenbard West lost two consecutive games this season, to Hinsdale Central and Lyons.

“For the seniors that was there first loss of their careers here,” Campanella said. “We kind of lost a lot of hope but I think it helped us find a new team and get through games like these when it is close. We know we don’t want to be on that side anymore.”

The Hilltoppers will face the Oswego-Edwardsville winner in the quarterfinals next week.