Passing combo lifts Glenbard East over South
Zach Walsh has only known Phil Abruzino as his quarterback.
Clearly, the Glenbard East seniors, football teammates and close friends since they were fourth-graders, know each other very well.
Walsh caught 3 touchdown passes from Abruzino on Friday night in Lombard, and the Rams pulled away from District 87 rival Glenbard South in the second half for a 34-14 victory.
“We're rolling,” Walsh said. “We still haven't played as well as we should have, though. We had a few down at the goal line, stopped at the 1-yard line, a few interceptions. We'll get there. We're playing well, just not as well as we can.”
“They came out to take away Karon (Keyes),” Rams coach John Walters said of the Raiders. “Karon had a big game last week. They came out to take him away and you get Walsh 1-on-1. They decide to take away Walsh and then we get Karon and (Travis) Lyles 1-on-1. We have some receivers, we have a good quarterback.”
Glenbard East (2-0) scored on the opening drive, senior running back Joey Moore finishing it with a 12-yard touchdown run.
Glenbard South (0-2) bounced back to take a 14-7 first-quarter lead on Sean Cooke's 1-yard TD run and wide receiver Billy Bair's 3-yard TD reception.
The Rams tied the game 14-14 going into halftime on Walsh's first touchdown catch.
“We really did have a great start,” Raiders coach Ryan Crissey said. “Our offensive line was hitting on all cylinders. Jack (Crouch), our sophomore quarterback, was really effective, a lot of confidence. It was an exciting first half.”
The Glenbard East defense stiffened after that, shutting down the Raiders offense.
“Awesome,” Walsh said of the Rams' defense. “They kept us in that game, they really did. Got some turnovers, stopping the run, stopping the pass. They've been great all year.”
The Rams forced 5 turnovers, including 2 interceptions by senior cornerback Davontae Smith, his first 2-interception game.
Anthony Allen and Darrell Wilson also had interceptions for the Rams.
“It's real important,” Smith said of remaining undefeated. “Everybody doubted us. They look at us as the lowest school, and we practice hard every week.”
“We made some major mental errors on three or four plays that really ended up hurting us in both halves,” Crissey added.
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