Glenbard North rolls past Geneva

Glenbard North's offense took over during a football game against Geneva on Friday night.

While Geneva still held its own, Glenbard North achieved a 45-0 DuKane Conference win against the Vikings in Carol Stream.

Merely 10 minutes into the first quarter, Panthers running back Cordell Smiley scored the first touchdown of the game. Geneva's defense remained intact until the Panthers' Davion Bell intercepted the ball. The turnover gave Glenbard North (6-3, 6-1) another touchdown, scored by senior tailback Jordan McQuarters, that ended the first period at 12-0.

Geneva junior running back Ethan Mayer proved to be an asset for the team. Rushing 45 yards at the beginning of the second was just his start. Mayer rushed 64 yards throughout the game. The Vikings (0-9, 0-7) covered a lot of ground, but with two fumbles, they were unable to score.

Geneva's first fumble led to McQuarters' second touchdown of 66 yards, bringing the score to 19-0 in the second. The Panthers ran with their momentum. Smiley rushed 79 yards to score another touchdown for a score of 25-0.

"We had a good play on that one," Smiley said, "and I just took off with it."

It seemed the second quarter was a turning point in the game. The Panthers scored again, leaving the score at 32-0 for halftime. Denhim Betney's 42-yard touchdown pushed Glenbard North into a solid lead.

The Vikings maintained the ball more in the second half. Junior running back Matt Osbourne rushed 43 yards and brought Geneva close to scoring.

Starting the third out at 38-0, the Panthers managed another 60-yard touchdown. Leading at 45-0 in the fourth, the clock ran for the rest of the game.

The Vikings ran hard in the fourth and secured several first downs, but with the clock running, the game ended at 45-0.

Geneva coach Rob Wicinski stressed that his players remain proud of one another despite the tough year.

"We were playing for each other," Wicinski said "And trying to play for the pride of the G on the side of the helmet. The program has got a lot of pride and the players do too."