Glenbard East eager for test at Glenbard North

For years this wasn't a contest, but Glenbard East hopes to turn the tables on Glenbard North on Friday night in Carol Stream.

Former longtime DuPage Valley Conference foes, Glenbard East (3-0) last beat Glenbard North in 1999, the Rams' sole playoff season. Glenbard North (1-2) has won the last 14 meetings in a series that took a year off in 2014 due to Glenbard East's move to the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division.

"It's an intriguing matchup, that's for sure. It's an old-conference type of game," said Glenbard East coach John Walters, a 1989 graduate of Glenbard North.

It's also a game that pits contrasting styles.

Glenbard East senior quarterback Phil Abruzino has a wealth of targets to pick from. The two-year starter has completed 52 of 82 (63 percent) of his passes for 742 yards and 10 touchdowns, a marked improvement in accuracy over last season.

In each of the Rams' first three games the leading receiver has been a different player: Travis Lyles, Zach Walsh and in last week's 56-12 victory over East Aurora, 4.4 sprinter Karon Keyes, who also broke a 70-yard punt return for touchdown last week. Each of those seniors has at least 195 yards receiving for a team averaging 44 points thus far.

"I don't think we've faced a team with the quality receivers that Glenbard East has," said Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens. "It's a little bit different when there's so many options and they're all used."

Rams defensive leaders middle linebacker Anthony Allen and defensive end Matt Mihic must confront a jelling Glenbard North offensive line, featuring converted tight end Juan Jadue at tackle and current tight end Mikkohl Holt.

Despite losing its first two games to powers Naperville Central and Waubonsie Valley before last week's 28-6 win over Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbard North has allowed an average of just 11 points and has out-gained its opponents on average, 269 yards to 194.

The plan is familiar: Pound the ball out of the Pro-I and hand off to a typical Panthers speedster. This year it's senior Devion Hodges and junior Vittorio Tricase; the former has run for 287 yards, the latter for 203.

"Obviously, we have to keep their running game in check," Walters said.

Should Glenbard East crowd the box, Glenbard North returning starting quarterback Shane Conway has an ace receiver in junior Jace James, who's averaging 18.5 yards on 11 catches.

Glenbard North's defense includes Hodges and sophomore Jaylen Fitzpatrick at linebacker and defensive backs Greg Newsome and Justin Pitts. Led by Newsome with 4 interceptions the Panthers already have picked off 8 passes.

"We'll keep the ball in our hands the best we can," Wilkens said.