High school football: Glenbard South dominant in first win of season

GLEN ELLYN – Glenbard South's football matchup against Elmwood Park turned out to be a game of firsts for the Raiders.

Not only did the Raiders notch their initial victory of 2015 with a 48-0 decision against the Tigers on Sept. 11, but head coach Ryan Crissey also captured his first career varsity win.

"It was a wonderful team effort," said Crissey, who had been an assistant at Glenbard South before taking over for Jeremy Cordell. "All three phases of the game, [Week 2] we weren't clicking on all cylinders, [against Elmwood Park] we were really firing. It was a special week in practice. I really challenged everyone to step it up and the kids really picked it up."

Glenbard South blitzed the visitors from the opening whistle, thanks in large part to senior running back Sean Cooke and sophomore quarterback Jack Crouch, who is filling in for the injured Kyle Carli.

Cooke ran for 234 yards on 27 carries, scoring on runs of three, 14 and 40 yards.

"It really helps us feel good about ourselves and have confidence in the coming weeks," Cooke said. "It feels great to get the win. I have to give credit to the O-line, they blocked amazing and were all over them."

Crouch played well beyond his years in his second varsity start, throwing a pair of touchdown passes to Billy Bair while also connecting with Jimmy Ebbole and TJ Springfloat for scores. He finished 7-of-14 for 165 yards.

"Jack is a good quarterback," Crissey said. "He's been training at quarterback since he was six. This is what he was born to do from an athlete's perspective."

Cooke also had a sack on defense, Josh Jackson and Anthony Stramaglia recovered fumbles, Ebbole tallied an interception and Joharri Weatherspoon blocked a punt.

"Every game we want to force three turnovers and score twice [on defense]," the coach said. "We didn't reach all of our goals but I can't complain about how the boys swarmed to the ball."

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Week 4 matchup

Who: Glenbard South at Ridgewood

When: 7:15 p.m. Sept. 18

Where: 7500 W. Montrose Ave., Norridge

Records: Glenbard South 1-2; Ridgewood 2-1

Outlook: Fresh off their first victory of 2015, Glenbard South will look to climb back to the .500 mark. Ridgewood is off to a nice start, picking up wins against Urban Prep/West and Fenton by a combined 87-6 margin after a season-opening loss to Solorio Academy.