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Glenbard West overcomes challenge from Lyons Township

Football adversity comes in all shapes and sizes.

And that's just how it came at Glenbard West on Saturday: all shapes and sizes.

Overcoming all of it, the Hilltoppers stayed unbeaten by rallying for a 28-14 West Suburban Silver victory over Lyons Twp. at Glen Ellyn's Duchon Field.

“Honestly, I think it was a good thing for our team,” said Glenbard West linebacker-receiver Ben Marcus. “We haven't faced that much adversity yet this year, so it was good that we did.”

The Hilltoppers (4-0, 2-0) seemed in control with a 9-0 halftime lead, but Lyons Twp. (2-2, 0-1) stormed to a 14-9 third-quarter advantage behind touchdown passes of 58 and 26 yards from Tom Fiedler to Michael Grace. A rash of injuries — especially on the defensive line — and sloppy playing conditions in a steady rain helped put Glenbard West on its heels.

More than anything, though, it was a well-executing Lions offense and stinging defense that turned the tide in a third quarter that saw Lyons Twp. pile up 142 of its 220 total yards.

“You guys saw when we got on a roll, we got the job done with the run game,” said Miami of Ohio-bound Lions running back Leonard Ross, who rushed for 43 of his 59 yards in the third quarter. “We were all playing with passion, but we couldn't get the job done toward the end.”

Glenbard West, facing third-and-28 at the Lions' 35-yard line early in the fourth quarter, stunned the visitors when Marcus somehow snagged a pass from quarterback Kyle Kramer for a go-ahead touchdown and a 15-14 lead. Marcus had the ball, but it bounced in the air before landing on his chest in the end zone and surviving a tug-of-war with a Lyons Twp. defender.

The Hilltoppers regained their spark at that point, adding touchdown runs by Brodner, who rushed for 107 yards on 22 carries, and Donahvon Vaughn, who had 15 carries for 58 yards. Michael Darnall and Eric Button each intercepted Fiedler in the fourth quarter as the third-year quarterback finished 9 of 24 for 141 yards.

“I'm disappointed with the way we responded to adversity today, but at the end we finished the game off,” said Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet. “So hopefully we learn from it.”

Glenbard West built its 9-0 lead on Brodner's 12-yard first-quarter touchdown run and a second-quarter safety when a Lyons Twp. punt snap sailed through the end zone. Kramer completed 12 of 19 passes for 166 yards including 9 catches for 71 yards by Aidan Gould.

“Our backs were against the wall,” said Hilltoppers linebacker Ross Andreasik. “Ben Marcus had an amazing catch and Michael Darnall had a great interception on defense, and that kind of turned the momentum toward us and we got back in the game.”

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