Addison Trail shuts out Downers Grove South

It was as if Addison Trail's football team fed off the driving rain.

Whether the Blazers were on offense, defense or on special teams, they were as relentless as the downpour in Friday's 21-0 West Suburban Gold road victory over Downers Grove South.

Addison Trail, 3-0 for the first time since its last Gold title run in 2011, knows it still has plenty of work to do to grab another crown. Beating the defending-champion Mustangs (1-2, 0-1) on their own field, however, has the Blazers (3-0, 1-0) thinking big.

"It was a great team effort," said Blazers defensive lineman Bobby Rinaldi. "It's a team effort every week. We've got to keep it going and not think that we're ever good enough."

Considering the conditions and their defense, the Blazers all but put the game away with 2 first-quarter touchdowns. Third-year quarterback Mike Rybarczyk accounted for all three Addison Trail scores, starting with an 84-yard keeper around the right end midway through the third quarter.

Three-and-outs led to both first-quarter scores. A 7-play drive culminated in Rybarczyk's 7-yard touchdown pass to Jake Atiyeh and a 14-0 lead.

After Bobby Rinaldi blocked a 36-yard field-goal attempt by Downers South, Addison Trail drove for the final points of the game. On fourth-and-11 at the 15 in the final minute of the half, Rybarczyk timed a perfect touchdown pass to Jaavion Bradley.

"The first half we just took control offensively, and the defense has been coming up big all year," Rybarczyk said. "A shutout's going to win you any game. We just got into a groove that first half."

Addison Trail's defense took care of the rest. The Blazers allowed 109 total yards, including only 28 in the air. They had 5 sacks, including two by Josh Simko, who also recovered a fumble on a Mike Peters sack.

Rybarczyk completed 8 of 11 passes for 80 yards while rushing for 87. Running back Malik Pierre-Louis ran 26 times for 101 yards. Ryan Taylor paced Downers South's ground game with 46 yards on 14 carries.

"I think Mike's touchdown run set the tone for the game," said Blazers coach Paul Parpet Jr. "That's three good games for us. It's a special group. If we can keep doing this, we'll see how good we can be."

Follow Kevin on Twitter @kevin_schmit