Glenbard West will try to knock off unbeaten Hersey at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in the second round of the IHSA Class 7A football playoffs.
The No. 15-seeded Hilltoppers (7-3) rolled into the matchup after a 56-0 demolition of Moline in Round 1. A running clock was in effect for the entire second half, according to Shaw Local's playoff preview by Joshua Welge.
Quarterback AJ Rayford threw three touchdown passes in the Moline win. Brady Johnson, a Northwestern commit, and sophomore tight end Jack Busch hauled in scoring catches. Bryce Ellens, who missed six weeks with a broken collarbone, ran for a touchdown and caught another from Rayford in his second game back.
Ellens rejoins an offense that also features Keyante Johnson, Ace Harris and Jaylen McMiller. The unit averages 37.8 points per game, per Shaw Local.
The defense could get a boost, too. Senior linebacker Tallis Taylor, out since Week 1 with a broken leg, is anticipated to return, Shaw Local reported. Glenbard West is chasing its first quarterfinal appearance since 2022.
Hersey brings firepower
No. 2 Hersey (10-0) presents a steep challenge. Senior quarterback Jake Nawrot, a Kentucky commit, has thrown for 2,569 yards and 35 touchdowns with zero interceptions over nine games, according to Shaw Local. Kentucky coach Will Stein and Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles watched Nawrot throw for 357 yards against Yorkville in Round 1, the Daily Herald reported.
Junior receiver Jaxon Saint Paul, who holds offers from Illinois and Northwestern, has 37 catches for 598 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior Josh Riggs has 36 catches for 765 yards and 13 scores. Sophomore running back Jackson Travis has rushed for 1,227 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Huskies scored at least 38 points in all nine on-field wins. Their closest game was a 48-35 Week 9 win over Prospect.
An upset pick
Prep football analyst Tim O'Halloran told Daily Herald columnist Kevin Schmit he likes Glenbard West in an upset. O'Halloran said the key matchup is the Hilltoppers' defense against Nawrot and Hersey's passing attack.
"Glenbard West is going to bring pressure," O'Halloran said. "I don't see (Hilltoppers coach Chad) Hetlet sitting back and letting a quarterback pick them apart out of the pocket."
O'Halloran acknowledged the Hilltoppers "can be their own worst enemy" but questioned how tested Hersey has been. Shaw Local's Welge picked Hersey.
Glenbard North lurks in the bracket
Glenbard North (5-6) also plays Saturday in Class 7A. The No. 38-seeded Panthers visit No. 11 Richards (8-2). The Panthers went 3-6 in the regular season but have won two straight playoff games to stay alive, according to the Daily Herald's bracket breakdown by Mike McGraw.
If both Glenbard teams win, they would not meet in the quarterfinals. The Glenbard West-Hersey winner faces the Lincoln-Way West-St. Laurence winner. The Richards-Glenbard North winner faces the Downers Grove North-St. Rita winner.
