Scouting the Glenbard West Hilltoppers
It sure didn't look like Hitter football.
Last season Glenbard West suffered a 45-0 second-round playoff loss to Lincoln-Way East, three weeks after a loss to Oak Park cost the Hilltoppers the outright West Suburban Silver title.
For most programs, an 8-3 record and a share of a league title would be stellar. But not for these standards.
"It just wasn't the kind of football we'd played for the last 10 years," coach Chad Hetlet said. "Our returning kids, they watched us win state titles growing up. They're hungry to get that back."
The most hungry returners are third-year defensive starters Greyson Metz, Dave Lanciloti and Sean Michel. Metz, a linebacker, holds more than a dozen scholarship offers including Iowa, Louisville, Air Force and Northern Illinois. Michel anchors the secondary and Lanciloti is a force on the line.
Add linebacker Will Skowronski, defensive back Gerik Tyburk and some quality newcomers, and it's a formidable group.
"We've got special players on that side of the ball," Hetlet said.
All-state running back Tyquon Cox graduated, but the Hilltoppers' ground game will be outstanding again. Joey Richmond and Nic Seifert combined for 600 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, and junior Jalen Moore had 30 touchdowns on the sophomore level.
Wheaton North transfer Samson Zander, a junior who last season rushed for 370 yards, is another talent. He'll also see time in the secondary.
Hetlet says junior Braden Spiech is the first non-senior quarterback he's had in 13 years. Junior tight end Denin Limouris and Michel offer two big targets when the Hilltoppers mix in the pass.
To a player, the goal is to bring back Hitter football.
"This is a different group," Hetlet said.
One to watch: Put this on repeat ... the tone will be set by the opener at home against Maine South.
The breakdown
Coach: Chad Hetlet (13th year, 129-21; 16th year overall, 147-32).
2018 record: 8-3, 5-1, tied for first in West Suburban Silver.
Top players: LB Greyson Metz, sr.; DB-WR Sean Michel, sr.; DL Dave Lanciloti, sr.; RB-LB Joey Richmond, RB Nic Seifert, sr.; RB Jalen Moore, jr.; RB-DB Samson Zander, jr.; LB Will Skowronski, sr.; DB Gerik Tyburk, sr.; WR Denin Limouris, jr.; OL Andrew Johnson, sr.; OL Chase Pierce, sr.; QB Braden Spiech, jr.
- Kevin Schmit
Schedule
Sat, Aug 31, Maine South at Glenbard West, 1:30 p.m.
Sat, Sep 7, Leyden at Glenbard West, 1:30 p.m.
Sat, Sep 14, Proviso West at Glenbard West, 1:30 p.m.
Fri, Sep 20, Glenbard West at Addison Trail, 7:30 p.m.
Sat, Sep 28, York at Glenbard West, 1 p.m.
Fri, Oct 4, Glenbard West at Downers Grove North, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 11, Glenbard West at Lyons, 7:30 p.m.
Sat, Oct 19, Hinsdale Central at Glenbard West, 1:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 25, Glenbard West at Oak Park, 7:30 p.m.