Glenbard West works quickly against Addison Trail

One look at Glenbard West’s football scores and the proof is clear.

The Hilltoppers take no one lightly.

They proved it again on Saturday with a 43-0 West Suburban Conference crossover win over Addison Trail at Glen Ellyn’s Duchon Field.

Breaking out to a 22-0 lead eight minutes into the game, Glenbard West (7-0) scored 5 touchdowns in its first five possessions while running only 21 plays. By halftime, with the Hilltoppers holding a 36-0 lead, many of the starters were on the bench.

No matter the high expectations down the road for Glenbard West, the week-to-week focus remains strong regardless of who’s standing on the opposite sideline.

“The coaches always tell us great teams play great all the time no matter who they’re playing,” said Hilltoppers linebacker Jordan Hassan. “Quick starts are the goal of the team. We score first, and that sets the momentum for the defense for the rest of the game.”

The timing for this rugged matchup was poor for Addison Trail (2-5), which came into the game severely short-handed due to injury. Down starting quarterback Matt Gontarek and backup John Taylor, the Blazers struggled to move the ball.

Glenbard West’s defense limited Addison Trail to 7 total yards and no first downs in the first half. For the game the Blazers had 67 yards — led by Alex Glowacki’s 47 yards on 15 carries — and 3 first downs.

Things should improve for Addison Trail in time for its Week 8 game against District 88 rival Willowbrook. According to Blazers coach Paul Parpet, Gontarek and Taylor both should return to the lineup.

“We’re thin,” Parpet said. “But you know what? We still came out and competed to the best of our ability. You’ve got to give them credit, they’re a good football team.”

The Hilltoppers piled up 263 rushing yards led by Joe Zito’s 70, Scott Andrews’ 51 and Jermon Kindle-Joyner’s 58. Andrews scored to cap his only three possessions, including a 49-yard touchdown pass from Henry Haeffner on the game’s third play. Kindle-Joyner tallied the final 2 touchdowns.

Glenbard West, already guaranteed a share of the West Suburban Silver title thanks to Friday’s losses by Hinsdale Central and Downers Grove North, can wrap up the outright title with a Week 8 win over York (0-7, 0-4).

“We need to be ready to dial in,” said Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet. “Regardless of who we play, where we play, we’re getting better each week. The kids are focused.”

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