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.”
Glenbard West wins it in OT. Nic Seifert takes it with a one-yard run, his third TD of the day.
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 19, 2019
Hilltoppers beat Hinsdale Central 21-17, improve to 8-0. pic.twitter.com/fsYral7iHe
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.”
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.
Hinsdale Central ties it up. Michael Brescia to Mac Quast. Red Devils 14, Glenbard West 14 as we start the 4Q. pic.twitter.com/RUyWkU7Dj8
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 19, 2019
“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.”
