Andrews, Glenbard West make quick work of Harlem
Glenbard West football coach Chad Hetlet would rent out a billboard if he could, just to tell everyone how good running back Scott Andrews is.
“I think he’s the most underrated back in the state,” Hetlet said. “How he doesn’t have Division I offers is beyond me.”
Andrews only touched the ball nine times Saturday, but he scored on five of those touches in the Hilltoppers’ 49-14 rout of Machesney Park Harlem in their Class 7A playoff opener in Glen Ellyn.
Andrews finished with 189 yards and 4 touchdowns on 8 carries, all in the first half, plus a 30-yard TD reception from quarterback Drew Vogg.
“He just did amazing,” said offensive lineman Will Demos. “He did exactly what he was supposed to do and just went up the field.”
The Hilltoppers buried Harlem quickly.
After a Harlem three-and-out, Hayden Carlson caught a line-drive punt on the run and took it 45 yards for a touchdown. After another Harlem three-and-out — the No. 14 Huskies (6-4) punted five times in the first half — Andrews carried the ball 11 yards for another Hilltoppers TD, capping a 3-play drive to give the third-seeded Hilltoppers (9-1) a 14-0 lead after less than four minutes.
Then Griffin Brugh’s leaping interception, despite a large cast on his arm, gave Glenbard West the ball again near midfield.
“I just reached up there and it stuck,” Brugh said of the pick.
Two plays later Andrews was off to the races again on the first of his three TD runs of more than 50 yards despite the muddy field.
“We had a really good start, we started fast,” Brugh said. “Defense played well. They just couldn’t move it on us.”
By the end of the first quarter, Glenbard West led 28-0 on its way to a 42-0 halftime lead and a running clock throughout the second half.
“Our coach always says put them down fast and don’t let them up,” Demos said, “and that’s exactly what we did.”
Harlem scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half against the Glenbard West reserves, but sophomore running back George Mugnani got one back in the fourth quarter with a 70-yard run.
Glenbard West will visit No. 11 Conant (7-3) next week in a game Hetlet expects to be scheduled for Saturday.
Follow Orrin on Twitter @orrin_schwarz