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Hinsdale Central (4-3, 1-3 in Silver) vs Glenbard West (1-6, 1-3 in Silver)


Jeff Davis, Sports Editor | Hinsdale Doings | Published Oct. 11, 2006

• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Dickinson Field, 55th and Madison streets, Hinsdale

• Last year: Hinsdale Central 35, Glenbard West 7

• Outlook: Hinsdale Central picked up a much-needed 30-12 victory over
Proviso West Saturday and will need to win one of its final two games to
secure a playoff berth. The Red Devils close the regular season Friday, Oct.
20, at Lyons Township (3-4, 1-3 in Silver).

Glenbard West’s 30-20 loss to Lyons Township Saturday is its only defeat
this season to a team currently with a losing record. The Hilltoppers, whose
other losses are to teams with a combined 28-7 record, have lost four
straight since beating Proviso West 28-22 Sept. 9. The 22 points are the
fewest points allowed in a game by the Hilltoppers, who have surrendered a
Silver-high 230 points.

Northwestern-bound Kevin Watt (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) is a force at
middle linebacker and tight end/fullback and rushed for 38 yards and a
15-yard TD all in the second half Saturday. The Hilltoppers’ other returning
all-conference player, senior receiver Brandon Venson, broke his leg in the
season opener.

Junior running back Mike Phelan, a transfer from Wheaton North, has
rushed for 470 yards and five touchdowns and is the leading receiver (14
catches, 125 yards) for junior quarterback Kane Keirnan, a transfer from
Montini who is 55-for-123 passing for 530 yards with two TDs and eight
interceptions and has rushed for 260 yards and three TDs. Senior Mike Blan
has touchdown catches of 32 and 71 yards.

The Hilltoppers have shown at times that they can move the ball
consistently, but they have been held to seven points three times.

Hinsdale Central’s defense is led by senior tackles Jack DiNardo (64
tackles, 5 sacks) and John Rogowski (39 tackles, 7 sacks) and senior
linebacker Matt Kajmowicz (60 tackles, 7 sacks).

• Quotable: “Glenbard West is not going to be a pushover,” Hinsdale Central
coach Mike DiMatteo said. “They played (Silver leader) York close for a
half, so we have to come ready to play.”

Copyright © 2006, The Doings