advertisement

Jackson, Glenbard N. run to DVC title

Glenbard North running back Justin Jackson had a one-word self-assessment of his performance early in Friday’s game at Wheaton North: horrible.

By the end of the game, however, he produced a much different universal assessment: awesome.

Led by Jackson’s 43 carries for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns, Glenbard North claimed its second straight outright DuPage Valley Conference title with a 33-13 win over Wheaton North.

Jackson — who fumbled on the Panthers’ first three possessions, resulting in two turnovers — also twice intercepted future Northwestern teammate Clayton Thorson in the end zone. It was definitely a full night for the senior, who has rushed for 2,550 yards and 33 touchdowns on the season, including 1,108 yards and 12 scores the last three weeks.

“I’ve never had that much adversity at the beginning of a game,” Jackson said. “It shows how much my team has grown to be able to back me up. Our defense let up zero points even with my three fumbles.”

Glenbard North (8-1, 7-0) held twice after Jackson’s turnovers and, thanks to Jackson’s first interception, held again when the Falcons (7-2, 5-2) had first-and-goal at the 7 late in the first quarter.

The Panthers, who next season will enter DVC play with a 15-game winning streak, took a 12-0 lead to the half on a pair of second-quarter Jackson touchdown runs.

Wheaton North responded with its best drive of the night coming out of halftime. The Falcons marched 76 yards in 17 plays, converting two third downs and two fourth downs while eating more than six minutes off the clock. On fourth-and-goal, Thorson scored from a yard out to narrow the deficit to 12-7.

As close as they were, though, the Falcons knew they’d left too many points on the field in the first half. And Jackson was just getting started.

“You’ve got to take care of the football and capitalize on opportunities when you get in the red zone, and we didn’t do that,” said Wheaton North coach Joe Wardynski. “If we’re going to do anything in the playoffs we’ve got to be an opportunistic offense.”

Two more Jackson touchdown runs extended Glenbard North’s lead to 26-7 early in the fourth quarter. After Thorson, who completed 16 of 29 passes for 182 yards, threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jack Kirschbaum, Glenbard North freshman Vittorio Tricase wrapped up the night’s scoring with a 2-yard run.

“It feels good to go back-to-back with this group of players,” said Panthers receiver and defensive back Kendall Holbert. “We held a lot of good teams to low scores. I’m proud of our team.”

Follow Kevin on Twitter @kevin_schmit

Scouting Wheaton North Falcons football

Scouting Glenbard North Panthers football

Wheaton North ready for win

Jackson, Glenbard North juke past Carmel

Falcons prove unstoppable

Jackson carries the day for Glenbard North

Images: Wheaton North vs. Wheaton Warrenville South football

Glenbard North’s Jackson Bears All-Star of the Week

Jackson scores 5 touchdowns in Glenbard North win

Falcons take out frustrations on Naperville N.

Game video: Wheaton North vs. Lake Park

Thorson comes through in two dimensions

Images: Wheaton North vs. Lake Park football

Glenbard North lights up scoreboard at Glenbard East

Wheaton North rolls to homecoming victory

Jackson runs for 211 yards in Glenbard North win

Game video: Glenbard North vs. West Aurora

Game video: Wheaton North vs. West Aurora

Blackhawks can’t slow down Falcons

Jackson puts on a show again

Gotta hand it to Thorson, Wheaton N.

Images: Wheaton Warrenville South at Glenbard North football

Images: Wheaton North vs. Glenbard North football

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.