Glenbard West beats Hinsdale Central in overtime on Nic Seifert’s third TD

Glenbard West beat Maine South in Week 1 and then just demolished the next six teams on the schedule by a combined score of 307-22. All the games had running clocks in the second half.

So Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet admitted he had concerns about how his team would handle the overtime period against Hinsdale Central on Saturday in Glen Ellyn.

“I wondered how our kids would respond because you don’t have those experiences a whole lot,” Hetlet said. “Our kids dug in and when they had to make plays they did.”

The Glenbard West defense held Hinsdale Central to a field goal on the first overtime possession. Then Nic Seifert banged in a one-yard touchdown run when it was the Hilltoppers’ turn, sealing a 20-17 win.

Both teams entered undefeated. The victory gives No. 5 Glenbard West the West Suburban Silver conference title.

“That’s what a conference championship should look like,” Hinsdale Central coach Brian Griffin said. “That’s what you play for, to put yourself in a position to be in that game and then fight. I’m really proud of the guys.”

Seifert had 23 carries for 163 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.

“We knew the competition was going to be hard,” Seifert said. “We were looking for a fight. We brought our fight and I’m just happy we did. The offensive line and running backs blocked really hard. Coach prides himself on the running backs never getting tackled by the first guy. That’s just our mentality.”

Jaylen Moore had 16 carries for 108 yards. The Hilltoppers (8-0, 5-0) only attempted four passes.

“We had some unfortunate turnovers and we had some penalties that hurt us,” Hetlet said. “Give a lot of credit to Hinsdale Central and how they played. The quarterback did a nice job, they have a great offensive line.”

Hinsdale Central’s Michael Brescia (4) looks for an open receiver during the game against Glenbard West. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West’s Nic Seifert (24) walks back to his team with Denin Limouris (8) after scoring a touchdown against Hinsdale Central. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet looks on during the game against Hinsdale Central. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Hinsdale Central coach Brian Griffin walks back to the field after a break during the game against Glenbard West. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West’s Nic Seifert (24) runs against Hinsdale Central’s defense. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Hinsdale Central’s Michael Brescia (4) hands off the ball to Mark Skokna (3) during the game against Glenbard West. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West’s defense takes down Hinsdale Central’s Michael Brescia (4). | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Hinsdale Central’s Mac Quast (9) catches a pass to score a touchdown against Glenbard West. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West’s Jaylen Moore (23) runs the ball against Hinsdale Central. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West’s Nic Seifert (24) runs past Hinsdale Central’s Guy Henry Goss (6). | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Hinsdale Central’s Braden Contreras (13) catches a pass during the game against Glenbard West. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West’s Andrew Johnson (65) celebrates after Nic Seifert (24) scores the game-winning touchdown against Hinsdale Central. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West celebrates after winning the game against Hinsdale Central. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Glenbard West’s Greyson Metz (7) takes down Hinsdale Central’s Braden Contreras (13). | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Junior Michael Brescia, the Red Devils’ quarterback, was the game’s standout performer. He was 27-for-47 passing for 263 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Brescia connected with six different receivers. He threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mark Skokna and a nine-yard touchdown pass to Mac Quest but his main target was Braden Contreras, who had 11 receptions for 107 yards.

“It was unfortunate that they had the success in the passing game that they did,” Hetlet said. “It’s just inexcusable and unfortunate. But gosh, Contreras is a stud.”

No. 10 Hinsdale Central (7-1, 4-1) managed just 53 rushing yards.

“They are a great team,” Griffin said. “They were scoring 50 points a game and giving up seven. We knew we had to play a great game and we did. We left some stuff out there and they left some stuff out there. Both teams will look at the film and feel like they should have played better.”

The Red Devils entered the game undefeated, but there were some questions about them considering they’d only played one opponent with a winning record. Consider those doubts answered.

“The key for us and any team after a tough loss is using it as a springboard moving forward,” Griffin said. “We have to pick it up and move on.”