Just like their last meeting back on Oct. 11 (a 35-0 Hilltoppers win), Glenbard West had too many weapons in their arsenal for Downers Grove North to overcome as West rolled to a 35-7 victory over host North in a Class 7A quarterfinal Nov. 14.
The Hilltoppers (12-0) now host East St. Louis Senior (11-1) on Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. at Duchon Field, and the winner goes to Champaign and the 7A state title game.
"We knew tonight would be a challenge, and we would not be able to make any mistakes in order to have a chance to win," Trojans coach John Wander said. "Give West credit, they are a fine football program. But we have nothing to be ashamed of, our kids played their hearts out."
North (7-5) is a poster child for allowing 5-4 teams into playoffs.
The team was 2-7 last season and didn't get the fifth win it need this season to be playoff eligible until the regular-season finale.
The Trojans sent perennial state power Wheaton Warrenville South home in the postseason opener and then beat Proviso East in the second round.
Glenbard West made it clear they meant business from the start. The Hilltoppers defense would force North running backs to cough up the ball on the Trojans' first two possessions.
The Hilltoppers would then take a 7-0 lead at 3:43 of the first quarter as running back Robert Cook took a sweep 62 yards into the end zone for the first score of the evening.
North had difficulty moving the ball on the Hilltoppers defense. The Trojans would collect just 10 yards of offense for the quarter and only 14 yards for the half.
"Our defense just doesn't give in." Hilltoppers linebacker Theo Odom said. "We always have four or five guys punishing who ever has the ball."
The Hilltoppers gained excellent field position at the Trojans 9-yard line with another fumble recovery. Three plays later quarterback Tyler Warden dove in from the 2 and with just 34 seconds remaining in the opening period, Glenbard West was up 14-0.
"The defense has provided our offense with excellent opportunities all season," West coach Chad Hetlet said. "Every week I see them they do something special."
It took just one play for West to extend their lead to 21-0 as Venson (who shares the same birthday as his head coach), scored on a 50-yard run at the 10:21 mark of the second quarter.
"I guess Bryant gave both of us an early birthday present tonight," Hetlet said. "The field conditions were terrible but he made it look like he was running on artificial turf. He is something special."
West with great field position at the Trojans 44 took just three plays to score their fourth touchdown of the half with Venson (six carries, 98 yards) taking another sweep for 32 yards with 2:19 remaining and a 28-0 Hilltoppers advantage.
"I wanted to have a good night because it's my birthday tomorrow," Venson said. "I wanted to leave it all on the field tonight."
Second-half action saw wide receiver Jessie Condie the recipient of a 39-yard pass from quarterback Chris Cochrane, and the Hilltoppers scored their fifth unanswered score of the evening up 35-0.
"They can beat you a lot of different ways," Wander said. "And we struggled offensively most of the night."
With most of the Hilltoppers starters on the bench, North avoided a shutout as Jermal Jones (85 yards rushing) scored from 43 yards out with 4:34 left.
The Hilltoppers now return to their home turf and continue the quest for their first state final appearance in 25 years.
West won the Class 5A state championship in 1983.
"Whoever we play next week, we can't wait," offensive tackle Chris Watt said. "We're back on our home field. The place will be packed and rocking. It's Duchon, we don't lose on Duchon field."
Comment at thedownersgrovesun.com
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Photos: Downers N. vs. Glenbard West