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Glenbard North clinches playoffs with win over Metea Valley

Glenbard North senior right tackle Juan Jadue has spent three or four football seasons alongside most of his teammates on the senior-dominated starting offensive line.

This year, it's finally all come together.

"Honestly, it's the chemistry," Jadue said. "We're talking. We know what we're doing. We know our assignments. With all of the scouting, we know what they're going to line up in (defensively) and we're prepared. We really bonded over the summer."

On Friday the Panthers' offense put together yet another rushing clinic for an important 45-9 Senior Night victory over Metea Valley in Carol Stream.

Glenbard North (6-2, 5-2 DuPage Valley Conference) clinched a return to the playoffs after a one-year absence by winning its sixth straight after an 0-2 start. The Panthers could even share the DVC title if they win next week at Neuqua Valley and Naperville Central loses at Lake Park.

Metea Valley (3-5, 3-5) was eliminated from hopes of a second straight playoff trip.

"It feels great. Since freshman year, we've been struggling (as a team)," Jadue said. "This is what happens when you go with the program, have faith in your coaches."

The Panthers finished with 438 rushing yards behind the powerful tandem of Devion Hodges and Vittorio Tricase and reserve Isaiah Hawkins. Their only 10 yards via passing came on a second-quarter TD pass from quarterback Shane Conway to Jace James.

The Panthers had 199 rushing yards in the first quarter alone - a credit to Jadue, left tackle Daniel Fletcher, guards Jonathan Czernek and Joe Vazquez, center Ian Jefferson and tight end Miko Holt. Sophomore Vazquez is the lone non-senior. Jefferson filled in for junior Joe Perilli, who underwent finger surgery Friday morning.

"It's great because they open up things," Hodges said. "My coach always says slow to the hole, fast through the hole. Every time I get the ball, I'm just really patient. Juan, John or Miko, they'll make a great block and I'll just go off their butt. But most of the work is done up front. All of the work is done up front."

The Panthers' first drive reached the 4-yard line but was halted and resulted in Steven Adamatis kicking a 23-yard field goal. After Colin Rosado recovered a fumble on the Mustangs' next offensive play, Hodges scored from the 38 and the Panthers' momentum never wavered.

They scored touchdowns on six of their next eight possessions for a 45-2 lead early in the third quarter and running clock for a 40-point margin.

"We really feed off of our defense. Our defense has been killing it all year," Jadue said. "After Week 2 we decided it was our turn to step it up."

Tricase followed Hodges' TD with a 77-yard run before scoring from the 1 but then left the game after injuring his left ankle on the first play of the second quarter.

Hodges scored on a 92-yard run for a 31-0 lead and 10-yard run 1:55 before halftime. The Panthers got the ball to start the third quarter and Hawkins had a 46-yard run and 20-yard TD run.

"The offense has been playing great the past month running the ball, putting points on the board and defensively we've been pretty solid," said Glenbard North defensive coordinator Rich Smelko, filling in for coach Ryan Wilkens.

This was the Panthers' fourth 40-plus game in the last five weeks. The defense has allowed just a field goal and two running-clock TDs the past four games. The Panthers had two more interceptions and Malik Henderson had two of three fumble recoveries.

"The biggest thing is we're playing fast and playing physical and getting to the football," Smelko said.

Metea got a second-quarter safety when Blake Nicolls and Michael Robinson tackled Conway in the end zone. Mitchell Webb had an 11-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

"Obviously, this was a big one to keep our playoff hopes alive. We've got a week left together," Metea coach Ben Kleinhans said. "We've gone through a lot since June. We're going to approach this week like any other, going to work like heck to get four wins."

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