VIDEO: Bobby Inserra's dynamic debut leads Maine South past Glenbard West

Senior Bobby Inserra, the son of Maine South coach Dave Inserra, and senior Cole Dow spent the summer battling to be the Hawks’ starting quarterback.

Inserra was given the job at a team meeting Thursday. It’s easy to see how that could have been an awkward decision for his dad, but no one is questioning it right now.

Inserra turned in a terrific debut as the starter Friday in Park Ridge, leading No. 4 Maine South to a 35-14 victory against No. 9 Glenbard West.

‘‘[Dow and Inserra] slugged it out,’’ Dave Inserra said. ‘‘They helped each other. They couldn’t have been better competitors and better teammates. In the end, we went with Bobby.’’

Inserra had 16 carries for 140 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Three minutes later, he threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to junior Dan Lazic to put the Hawks ahead 14-0.

‘‘It’s just been my dream to come to Maine South and be the quarterback, be the leader of the offense and play with my dad,’’ Inserra said. ‘‘It is a dream come true. It is awesome.’’

Inserra was 6-for-12 for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Lazic was his favorite target with four catches for 88 yards.

‘‘I’ll be the first one to pull him if he isn’t getting the job done,’’ Dave Inserra said. ‘‘Cole Dow has been a heck of a competitor.’’

Maine South (1-0) led 21-0 at the half, but the Hilltoppers’ Tyquan Cox scored two rushing touchdowns in the second half. His one-yard scoring run with 11:46 left cut the Hawks’ lead to 28-14.

Inserra, however, connected with Ryan Kilburg on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 3:23 left to seal the victory.

Cox had 26 carries for 175 yards and the two touchdowns.

‘‘[Cox] is phenomenal,’’ Dave Inserra said. ‘‘He is quick; he is electric. The whole game plan was to stop him and not to give up the deep ball. Stopping him was a heck of a task.’’

Maine South did not give up the deep ball. Glenbard West quarterback Tommy Bleker was 8-for-18 for 56 yards with one interception. The Hilltoppers’ longest pass play was a 12-yard reception by senior Ethan Graff.

Maine South’s Dan Lazic (23) scores against Glenbard West’s Jayden Rodgers. Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times.

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Maine South’s Bobby Inserra (14) against Glenbard West. Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times.

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Maine South’s Dan Lazic (23) makes the catch against Glenbard West’s Sean Michel (2). Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times.

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Maine South’s Danny Wolf (21) attempts to bring down Glenbard West’s Joey Richmond. Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times.

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Maine South’s Danny Wolf (21) gets around Glenbard West’s Hank Knez. Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times.

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Glenbard West’s Ethan Graff (11) is stripped of the ball by Maine South’s Ryan Kilburg (2) and Michael Velazquez (10). Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times.

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Maine South’s Cole Dow (8) against Glenbard West. Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times.

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The Hawks’ offensive line gave Inserra plenty of time to pass and opened up holes for him to run through. Maine South junior Peter Skoronski is one of the best linemen in the state.

‘‘I was a little uneasy coming in with four new starters, but they did a great job,’’ Skoronski said. ‘‘If I can get all the five offensive linemen to state-championship-caliber, that would be awesome.’’

Glenbard West came in motivated to avenge a 62-34 loss to the Hawks last season in Glen Ellyn.

‘‘They did not like what we did to them last year, and they were coming in to prove everyone wrong,’’ Bobby Inserra said. ‘‘We shut them down.’’

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