Glenbard West wins game, may lose QB

Glenbard West got on the board early and often as it rushed out to a 30-6 halftime lead en route to a 51-13 win over Proviso West in Glen Ellyn Saturday afternoon.

But it it wasn’t all good news for the Hilltoppers.

On the third play from scrimmage of the second half, Glenbard West quarterback Justice Odom suffered what his coach described as a “somewhat severe” knee injury as he fumbled after an eight-yard gain.

“We will get an MRI tomorrow so we won’t know more until then, but it was his left knee,’’ said Chad Hetlet, coach of the No. 2 Hilltoppers (6-0, 4-0 West Suburban Silver).

Glenbard West relied more on its running game as Kendall Johnson (six carries, 58 yards, touchdown) got the hosts up early on a 10-yard rush. Two possessions later, Odom (4 of 5, 78 yards) connected with Johnson on a 21-yard scoring pass.

But it wasn’t just the offense that was on display for Glenbard West. The Marston twins, Mike and Matt, combined to intercept Panthers quarterback Quincy Cole three times. Mike grabbed two, but Mark made his count, bringing his back for a 19-yard touchdown.

“We wanted to make big plays on defense,’’ said Hetlet. “It was good to get those turnovers. We tipped balls and were in the right positions.’’

Joe Zito led the Hilltopper rushing attack with 71 yards on 10 carries. He also had rushing touchdowns of five, four and one yards.

Marshall Smith scored the Panthers’ (3-3, 1-2) lone offensive touchdown on an 80-yard run. Ryan Hathaway also brought back an interception back 40 yards for Proviso West’s first score, in the third quarter.

Glenbard West’s Hayden Carlson brought back a kickoff 65 yards to cap the scoring.