Glenbrook South beat Glenbrook North...

...last night, 28-14, in a soggy, sloppy, penalty-strewn game in Northbrook. According to the Tribune, nineteen flags were thrown in all; the Sun-Times reported twenty. (Seemed like more to me.) Also, there was a total of six turnovers on the night. Come on, coaches! It's Week 3, for crying out loud.

As I expected, the Titans ran away from the Spartans in the second half after the teams were tied at 14 at intermission.



(Incidentally, with six seconds remaining in the first half the heavens opened up, sending much of the crowd, including this not-so-intrepid blogger, racing for the exits -- kind of like George in the clip above. When I finally reached my car, however, the rain had stopped just as quickly as it had started. Soaking wet, I returned to my seat -- I figured the second half would be a doozy. And after all, I did spend three dollars on a ticket.)

A "doozy" is too strong of a word for the second half, though. GBN's quarterback, Curt Petty, left the game with an injury in the third quarter and the Spartans just couldn't get anything going on offense -- even after South gave them great field position from an ill-advised onside kick and a failed fourth down conversion in GBS territory. (Honestly, Titan head coach Mike Noll makes some "interesting" calls sometimes.)

But, as the papers reported, Noll just kept giving the ball to Kevin Schroeder, and the senior running back scored two touchdowns in the second half to put the game on ice. Schroeder gained a total of 195 yards on the night on 29 carries. (Seemed like more to me -- what a workhorse!)

Over all, it wasn't a great night for either team. And it's hard to imagine either one going much beyond the first round of the post-season.

For starters, Glenbrook North seems to think Curt Petty is the next Tim Tebow. He isn't. Although Petty intercepted a Titan pass in the first quarter and returned it 62 yards for the game's first TD, he just can't run the ball from scrimmage. I wanted to shout out to the GBN coach, "Stop calling that play! Give the ball to your 6'2", 205-pound running back, Grant Rushing. He's far and away your best weapon on offense." (Perhaps your only one.)

Two other Spartans who deserve mention, by the way, are Jason Scholl, who seemed to be everywhere, and Montana Paley (interesting name), who kicked two PATs and is a girl. (And a pretty one, at that.)

As for the Titans, Mac Zabriskie still has trouble passing. (Although Zach Jones did finally catch one for a touchdown in the second quarter.) Coach Noll insists on throwing the ball, even when he doesn't have the talent. GBS looked its best in the second half when they just kept handing off to Schroeder; South has a good offensive line and several backs who can carry the ball. (Maybe Noll should go back and re-read his Woody Hayes.)

And what, may I ask, happened to first half speed demon Ose Ilenikhena, above? (Don't get me started on that name.) I don't recall seeing him after his nifty touchdown run in the first quarter that was called back on a holding penalty. Did he get injured? Did he run afoul of Coach Noll and get benched? It's a mystery.

Last night was probably my last GBS game of the year. I really don't need to see them beat up on the likes of Maine East, Niles West or Waukegan, nor do I need to see them get beaten again by Maine South. (I've seen that movie too many times.) My guess is that the Titans will finish the regular season 7-2, draw a weak opponent in the first round of the playoffs and get knocked out a week later. All in all, not a bad year.