Glenbard North speeds past Glenbard East

Glenbard North delivered in all three phases of the game with authority Friday night at Glenbard East.

The Panthers defense created 4 turnovers, the offense scored 7 touchdowns and special teams blocked a punt. It all added up to a 49-0 road win for the Panthers in Lombard.

“They played the game at one speed and we played at another,” said Glenbard East coach John Walters.

The two-headed rushing attack of Phil and Justin Jackson helped the Panthers jump out to a quick 21-0 lead. Phil capped off two drives with touchdowns and Justin added a third.

“Phil Jackson is running the ball nice and hard like he always does,” said Panthers wide receiver Trevor Hackett.

In the second quarter Glenbard East quarterback Joe Kotch pieced together what looked like a promising drive and the Rams looked poised to put points on the board. The Glenbard East momentum quickly evaporated as Panthers linebacker Hunter Week made an athletically gifted interception to end the drive.

“One thing I’ve told my team is we have to transfer what we do on the practice field to the game, and we haven’t been able to do that yet,” Walters said.

Glenbard North starting quarterback Brian Murphy’s hot passing kept the Panthers offense balanced. The Glenbard North offense line kept a clean pocket for him to pass from all night.

Murphy aired out a touchdown pass over the middle of the field to Hackett for a 79-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

“Our offensive line gave us a lot of time and (Murphy) put in on the money. I made the grab; it was a great ball,” Hackett said.

Doubling as the Panthers’ kicker, Hackett had no chance to catch his breath after the big play. The senior not only stayed on the field after his touchdown to knock the extra point through the uprights, he also booted the ensuing kickoff.

Hackett attributed his stamina in part to the Panthers coaching staff that conditioned receivers extra hard after practice Tuesday. His touchdown reception put the Panthers ahead 35-0.

Glenbard North scored again on a short run by senior Tremel Smith and the Panthers led 42-0 at halftime.

“Our chemistry is building as a team and it’s really helping us,” Hackett said.

The only scoring in the second half came when Panthers running back Vincent Sherrod broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run.

“We didn’t do a lot well in every phase tonight,” Walters said. “Good teams are going to make you pay.”