WW South pushes past Glenbard N. in 2nd half
Wheaton Warrenville South needed a spark.
Heading into halftime scoreless with Glenbard North Friday night, the Tigers were being out-passed, outrushed and punted on all five of their first half possessions.
Eddie Robinson had the answer.
The senior running back scored twice after the break, making an impact in both the passing and rushing game to lead WW South to a 20-12 victory in DuKane Conference play.
Robinson ran for 96 of his game-high 126 yards in the second half, but it was his 14-yard catch and run at the 4:03 mark of the third quarter that put WW South (2-0, 2-0 DuKane Conference) on the board first.
"We got together as an offense and knew that we were better than what we were portraying on the field [in the first half]," Robinson said. "It just took every guy stepping up and doing his job to bring about those big plays."
It wasn't all smooth sailing after Robinson's first score, however, as Glenbard North answered immediately on Denhim Betney's 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Once again, the Tigers turned to Robinson. The first WW South play from scrimmage after Betney's touchdown was handed to Robinson, who broke several tackles en route to a 60-yard run.
He scored from two yards out just four plays later.
"Eddie is just one of those guys that when he gets the ball in his hands, he's going to make a play," Tigers senior wide receiver Kaleb Clousing said. "He's going to find his way into the end zone some way or another. He has the size, the speed, the strength ... It's just awesome to have him as part of this team to give us a spark when we need it, like tonight."
WW South extended its lead after a Glenbard North (0-2, 0-2) punt.
Senior quarterback Parker Brown helped the Tigers capitalize on strong field position, hitting Clousing in stride over the top of the Panthers defense for a 30-yard score. Clousing finished with four catches for 49 yards and that score.
After not scoring on its first six possessions of the night, Robinson's first score and Clousing's touchdown gave the Tigers 20 points in a 5:18 span.
The Tigers started five of their six second-half possessions in Glenbard North territory, thanks in large part to stingy defense.
"I think having better field position was a big part of our second half success," WW South coach Ron Muhitch said. "We have some extremely dynamic players on our side, and I think we're still figuring out the best ways to make them all the most successful.
"Our defense got tested tonight, especially in the first half, and held them to zero. We are continuing the try and get better every single week, and tonight was a battle. You have to give a lot of credit to Glenbard North. They came to play tonight and that's a credit to the coaching staff and the players on that side of the field."
A late score on a quarterback sneak from sophomore Justin Bland got Glenbard North within eight, but the Panthers couldn't recover the onside kick with 2:43 remaining. WW South ran the clock out on its final possession.
Bland came into the game as quarterback late in the second quarter, and completed just 3-of-11 passes for 72 yards. Betney led the charge offensively for Glenbard North with 76 yards on the ground.
Brown completed 5-of-6 passes in the second half for 65 yards and his two passing touchdowns for the Tigers.
The Tigers' win sets up a crosstown rivalry matchup at Wheaton North next Saturday between two unbeaten teams through two weeks.