http://yourseason.suntimes.com/football/1239395,102308-football-hinsdalecentral-glenbardwest.article

Glenbard West takes aim at Whitelaw

October 23, 2008 BY ADAM L. JAHNS -- SUN-TIMES

They call it Hitters Football. And, with a fast, in-your-face defense, Glenbard West has lived up to that reputation.

‘‘Everyone swarms in like a pack of bees around honey and we just sting everybody,’’ Glenbard West defensive end Theo Odom said.

On Friday, Glenbard West will try to ‘‘sting’’ standout Hinsdale Central junior quarterback John Whitelaw, as the teams battle for the West Suburban Silver conference title.

‘‘Whitelaw hasn’t really gotten hit yet this season,’’ Odom said. ‘‘But he’s going to have some of that [Friday].’’

Perhaps one reason Whitelaw hasn't been hit is because no one can catch him. The 6-1, 180-pound Whitelaw, who has drawn Division I interest, has rushed for 717 yards and 13 touchdowns, and has passed for 1,386 yards and 15 scores.

‘‘He’s got that ‘it’ thing,’’ said Hinsdale Central coach Mike DiMatteo, who is a close friend of Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet. ‘‘He brings a lot of intangibles to the field that you don’t really see at his age.’’

In last year’s 15-13 victory, the Hilltoppers corralled Whitelaw with their 3-5-3 defense – an adaptable scheme predicated on speed. It was Hetlet’s first year at Glenbard West and the Hilltoppers’ first win over Hinsdale Central since 1997.

Glenbard West also secured its first playoff berth since 2003 and denied the Red Devils a share of the conference title.

‘‘We had the makings of good defense last year,’’ said Hetlet, who was Hinsdale Central’s defensive coordinator in 2006. ‘‘Now, they kind of know what to expect from each other. We attack the ball very well.’’

Glenbard West returns eight starters: linebackers Garrett Richards, Kyle Krumweide and Froylan Gonzalez; defensive backs David McCaffrey and Billy Kuesis; and linemen Odom, Patrick Loveless and Chris Watt.

Watt, a star offensive lineman headed to Notre Dame, and Richards have battled injuries, but are expected to play.

The Hilltoppers defense, which hasn’t allowed more than 14 points, also includes linebacker Joe Clauss and junior defensive back Jack Marston.

‘‘Our game plan is just to hit them as hard as we can and wear them down,’’ Krumweide said. ‘‘We move quickly and carry a punch.’’

Hinsdale Central’s offense also packs a punch. With players such as Whitelaw, receivers Mick Culligan and Alex Kirk and lineman Collin Watkins, the Red Devils have been held to less than 33 points once — a 28-27 overtime loss to Wheaton Warrenville South in Week 1.

‘‘Everyone is focused,’’ Whitelaw said. ‘‘We know this is a big game and we’re not going to need much encouragement to get ready.

“We just need stay to focused and do our jobs. We’ve proven to be pretty good when were on.”

So has the Glenbard West defense.

‘‘We’ve been waiting for this game the whole season,’’ Richards said. ‘‘We’re treating this like a state playoff game.’’

ajahns@suntimes.com

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