advertisement

Let it snow? Oh, no, once was more than enough

You'll pardon this week's edition of Eyes on Five if it's reading a bit rough.

We're still recovering from that whopper of a wintry storm during Saturday's semifinal football games. Our fingers are thawing and we're still prying snow out of our ears.

Better days surely lie ahead for the title games this weekend in DeKalb. We hope, at least.

1. What was that?:

I'd never classify myself as an "old-timer", but I have been covering high school football for 25 years.

I've experienced flooding downpours, brutal cold snaps, wicked wind, the 2001 Fog Bowl between Downers Grove South and Maine South, and pretty much everything else you can think of weather related. In all that time, I've never experienced anything close to what happened on Saturday.

The atmosphere at Glenbard West's 21-6 Class 7A semifinal victory over Cary-Grove at Glenbard South was something few of us have seen at high school football games in Illinois. We simply don't get storms like that very often in November.

History speaks for itself. While snow amounts varied, the 11-plus inches of snow at O'Hare Airport was its highest November total in over 100 years.

Aside from the misery of trying to keep stats with pencil and paper on the sideline - and live tweeting and trying to shoot some video - a couple of things stood out in my frigid mind.

First, the effort by the workers on the field was amazing to watch. Glenbard South's field was plowed multiple times before the game and a swarm of people armed with brooms continually patrolled the sideline trying to clear the snow.

Kudos to all of them.

Second, as I drove to the game I wondered how many better football teams might lose because of the weather. The conditions created the perfect equalizing storm.

Turns out, though, I don't think there was much of an impact on results. Better teams found a way to win regardless of conditions.

The entire day was a unique experience for me. Hopefully it remains unique.

2. DuPage dynasties:

DuPage County entered semifinal weekend with five of its teams still alive. Two advanced to state title games while Hinsdale South, IC Catholic Prep and Waubonsie Valley lost on Saturday.

Is it any surprise the survivors are Glenbard West and Montini? Of course it isn't.

When it comes to DuPage County dynasties, no one other than Wheaton Warrenville South comes close to what those two football programs have accomplished.

Montini, which faces Crete-Monee for the Class 6A championship, is the king of the county with seven straight title game appearances. The Broncos won four straight titles until Sacred Heart-Griffin knocked them off the last two years in the 5A final.

It's an incredible run of talent that shows no sign of slowing.

Glenbard West hasn't quite reached that level, but the Hilltoppers have been pretty incredible themselves. They'll face Libertyville for the 7A title.

The Hilltoppers are in their third title game in seven years after reaching the semifinals for the sixth time in eight years. During that span Glenbard West boasts a record of 85-8 with only two regular-season losses.

Somehow the Hilltoppers keep the "O-Train" and "Dark Side" rolling along.

3. The best:

I've hinted at this several times in Eyes on Five, but perhaps my favorite part of championship weekend is seeing the top players exposed to an entire state of football fans watching the games on television.

We'll definitely get to enjoy that in the Class 7A final at 4 p.m. Saturday. In fact, we might see the state's two best players regardless of class.

Glenbard West senior running back Sam Brodner, committed to Vanderbilt, will cap a stellar prep tenure against Libertyville and Northwestern-bound quarterback Riley Lees.

Brodner's scored 41 touchdowns and rushed for about 1,500 yards. He's flashed an uncanny combination of speed, strength and brute force while wearing down defenses with a workhorse mentality.

Lees, who likely will play receiver at Northwestern, has rushed for 2,400 yards and thrown for nearly 1,800 while piling up 57 touchdowns. Yes, 57 touchdowns.

If you can't be at the game, make sure you tune in for that matchup.

4. Broken:

Sam Brodner, again.

Last month Glenbard West's running back set a Class 7A record for touchdowns in a playoff game by scoring six times in the opening round against Moline.

In Saturday's win over Cary-Grove, Brodner set another 7A playoff record by carrying the ball a remarkable 50 times. The previous record was 34 set in 2004. Three other running backs have carried the ball at least 50 times in a playoff game, once in 4A, 5A and 6A.

For those wondering about title-game records, Brodner has some work to do this weekend. The 7A record for carries in a title game is 33, rushing yards is 226 and touchdowns is 4.

5. Stat time:

This is the 14th and final Eyes on Five column of the football season. I hope you've had half as much fun reading it as I've had writing it.

We'll see you back here real soon.

Thanks for reading!

Follow Kevin on Twitter

@kevin_schmit

  Montini Catholic's Brendan Rauen recovers his own fumble to score a second half touchdown against Prairie Ridge during the Class 6A semifinal football game in Lombard. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.