Football: Scouting Barrington at Glenbard West

Class 8A quarterfinalNo. 6 Barrington (10-1) at No. 2 Glenbard West (11-0)When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Last meeting: Never played

How they got there: Barrington beat Oak Park 39-15, beat Maine South 21-7. Glenbard West beat Fremd 34-14, beat Palatine 41-7.

Televison: Comcast game of the week Comcast 100

Outlook: Barrington has not advanced past this round since the Broncos were in the state finals in 1998. Barrington has lost five consecutive quarterfinal appearances, including last year's loss to Stevenson. Despite that, there is reason for optimism in Barrington this year. "We are playing our best football right now," Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said. "Obviously they are a good team. We look forward to the challenge." Barrington has been on a roll since suffering a setback in Week 8 against Palatine. Since that time, they have handled Fremd, Oak Park and Maine South, all state-qualifying teams. Barrington has used a balanced attack in all three of those games, with the Broncos' running game matching its prolific passing attack. "Now the challenge is to do it again," Sanchez said. "Glenbard West is a great program and a great team." In the last three games, Barrington running back Dumaso Mkwananzi has been a load. Running behind Nick Bart, Matt Robinson, Alex Serrano, Brett Morrison and Bobby Siebt, Mkwananzi has rushed for 261 yards while the Broncos have piled up 634 yards on the ground. "We want to try and stay balanced," Sanchez said. "We are going to try to create things and try to get an edge." That ground game will help the Broncos open up their vaunted passing attack. Quarterback Johnny Davidson has thrown for 2,256 yards and 23 touchdowns, so Glenbard West most likely won't be able to stack the box in its 3-3-5 scheme that held Palatine to 122 rushing yards last week. Seamus Moran is back in the lineup at wide receiver for the Broncos to give Davidson options alongside Mitch Pfeiffer and Scotty Miller, who signed this past week to attend Bowling Green. That Bronco firepower will be needed to contend with a Glenbard West defense that is quick and physical and has allowed just 98 points this year. "They run to the ball real well," Sanchez said. "It is matter of just trying to adjust and physically just being able to make a stand. It is easier said than done." The Barrington defense has been stout as well. Led by Jake Coon, Mark Bornhofen, Jason Harris, Grant Elliot, David Danhauer, Blake Jacobs, Travis Cysewski and Miller, the Broncos have forced 7 turnovers in their last 3 games. "Our defense needs to continue to play at the level it has had," Sanchez said. Barrington will need to be at its very best in order to stop Glenbard West running back Sam Brodner, who rushed for 308 yards and 5 touchdowns last week. "He is good," Sanchez said. "He is a very talented kid and he runs very hard." Glenbard West quarterback Kyle Kramer does a nice job managing the Hilltoppers offense and likes to throw to Aidan Gould. Glenbard West is playing in the quarterfinals for a third consecutive year and the sixth time in the last seven years under coach Chad Hetlet. Glenbard West is almost an honorary member of the Mid-Suburban League - the Hilltoppers are playing their third straight MSL West opponent this year after having faced Schaumburg and Conant last year in the 7A bracket. "We have played Palatine and Fremd, so we have seen Barrington on film," Hetlet said. "They (Barrington) are very talented. They are well coached and I expect a great game."

- Dick Quagliano