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Glenbard North rolls past Lake Park

Remember the Glenbard North football team that lost two straight games to start the season?

It doesn't exist anymore.

With the powerhouse tandem of Devion Hodges and Vittorio Tricase dominating in all phases - matching the powerhouse defense that's dominated all season - the Panthers rolled to Friday's 42-3 DuPage Valley Conference victory over Lake Park in Roselle to reclaim possession of the rivalry's coveted Stratford Cup trophy.

Glenbard North's fifth straight win makes it playoff eligible, but the Panthers (5-2, 4-2) look like a squad ready to vault past five and add a couple more before hitting the postseason.

"It took a lot of teamwork," Hodges said of the turnaround. "And having everyone come together and hold the other guy accountable for their job."

Hodges set the tone immediately by returning the opening kickoff 89 yards for a 7-0 lead only 13 seconds into the game. Just minutes later the senior had a 93-yard kick return for a touchdown negated by a penalty but Hodges added a 65-yard interception return for a second-quarter touchdown.

Then there was Tricase. The junior carried the ball all nine plays on the Panthers' opening possession, capping the 39-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown dive. Tricase finished the night with 26 carries for 179 yards and 3 touchdowns.

"The offensive line played their best game all year," Tricase said. "That's the best defensive line in the state, and we were getting movement on them all night. All props to them. Tonight's victory goes to them."

Lake Park (3-4, 3-3), which must win its final two games against Neuqua Valley and Naperville Central to reach the playoffs, stayed close to Glenbard North after Daniel Lamz kicked a 30-yard field goal on the Lancers' opening possession to make it 7-3.

Trailing 14-3, Lake Park put together a solid drive midway through the second quarter. Hodges, however, put an end to it with his nifty pick 6 that came off a tipped pass.

After a Lake Park punt on its next possession, Tricase burst for a 63-yard touchdown run to boost the Panthers' lead to 28-3. That's where the score stayed heading into halftime.

"If you don't start a game well, you have to recover quickly," said Lake Park coach Chris Roll. "I felt like we were at a point where we were on our way to recovery on the one drive and once the ball slipped out of our slot back's hands for a pick 6, everything you prepare now is out the door."

Tricase and Niko Falco added fourth-quarter touchdowns for the Panthers. Jaron Fields threw for 128 yards for Lake Park, but the Lancers managed only 33 rushing yards on the night.

"The defense has been playing well all year," said Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens. "Offensively we were struggling running the ball the first couple of games. We're putting it together a little bit. We're getting better. We're still a work in progress but our run game has come a long way."

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