Four downs: News and notes from Week 6

Glenbard West just might be a sleeping giant. The Hilltoppers have flown under the radar since losing at Maine South in Week 1.

The same thing happened last season. The Hawks slapped Glenbard West in the first game of the season and then the Hilltoppers spent the season recovering and improving. They ripped off nine consecutive wins before losing to a very good Oswego team in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.

Glenbard West is on a four-game win streak now after beating Lyons 41-7 this past weekend. Speedster Tyquan Cox scored five touchdowns, including a 96-yard kickoff return TD.

The Hilltoppers’ defense seems to be on a roll. They’ve held opponents to nine points a game since Week 1. Glenbard West can prove it on Friday against Hinsdale Central (4-1).

The rivalry

St. Patrick and Notre Dame have one of the area’s top football rivalries. It generally doesn’t matter how either team is doing, fans turn out in droves to watch the Shamrocks face the Dons.

Expect an extra special atmosphere Saturday night at Triton. St. Patrick (4-2) and Notre Dame (5-1) are both having excellent seasons.

Quarterback Jack O’Rourke and kicker John Saner were the stars of the Shamrocks’ 17-14 win at Marian Central in Week 6. O’Rourke came through with big plays on multiple key third and fourth downs. Saner drilled an 18-yard, game-winning field goal with 14 seconds to play.

O’Rourke, an all-conference safety last season, has been a success in his first season at quarterback. The Shamrocks have two players, defensive end/tight end Anthony Manaves and guard Jake Briskey, attracting college interest.

High-scoring Huskies

Undefeated Hersey is off to its best start in more than 40 years. The Huskies have one of the area’s most impressive offenses. They are averaging 48 points and have scored more than 50 in three games this season.

Quarterback Ryan Justice had four touchdown passes in a 48-0 win against Buffalo Grove in Week 6. Justice shares time with Jordan Hansen.

Reciever Kacper “The Ghost” Rutkiewicz is posting huge numbers. He has more than thirty receptions and scored three touchdowns against the Bison.

Rivalry, part two

Oswego East has been around for less than twenty years, so Friday’s Oswego vs. Oswego East showdown doesn’t exactly boast the long history of St. Patrick vs. Notre Dame. But don’t expect anyone in Oswego to care about that.

Both teams are unbeaten, both teams are ranked and tied for first in the Southwest Prairie. The No. 5 Panthers have received a lot more attention but Oswego East’s defense has been frighteningly dominant. The Wolves have outscored their opponents 203-6 this season.

More Sun-Times high school sports stories:

• The Chicago area high school football scoreboard for Week 6
• Lincoln-Way East dominates Homewood-Flossmoor in statement win
• How the Super 25 fared in Week 6
• Back of the Yards beats North Lawndale