Rust-free Glenbard South handles Larkin 34-7

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GLEN ELLYN – If Glenbard South felt any rust from its week off in Week 4, it didn’t show in the Raiders’ Week 5 game Friday night against visiting Larkin.

The Raiders got out to a big lead and cruised to a 34-7, Upstate Eight Conference victory in Glen Ellyn. Their game the week before was canceled because of COVID-19 containment measures with their opponent.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” Raiders senior running back Trevor Burnett said, noting the opportunity to rest and heal. “So this weekend we just wanted to put everything on the field and just fight, because we couldn’t play last weekend.”

“The first half (we) came out like gangbusters, playing fast on both sides of the ball,” Raiders coach Ryan Crissey added. “I was really happy with the things that we were doing. Really executed the game plan well.”

Glenbard South scored its first touchdown in the first quarter, a 6-yard Zach Blazek reception from sophomore quarterback Michael Champagne.

Sophomore receiver Cam Williams caught a 37-yard touchdown pass four plays into the second quarter, and Burnett’s 9-yard TD run gave the Raiders a 21-0 lead.

It was 27-0 at halftime when Williams caught his second TD pass of the game 22 seconds before the break. Williams finished with six catches for 104 yards.

“We just couldn’t get off the field on defense,” Larkin coach Grant Dietz said.

Senior quarterback Dontrell Maxie provided most of the Larkin offense, throwing for 99 yards and rushing for 75 of the Royals’ 79 total yards on the ground. Maxie led the Royals on the six-play, 73-yard drive to open the second half that ended in their only touchdown of the game, Maxie scoring on a 6-yard run.

“They gave us fits in the second half,” Crissey said of Larkin (2-3, 2-3).

“We came to life in the third quarter ...” Dietz added. “Always try to harp on having a good drive to start the third quarter, and the second half looked pretty good. Mental mistakes cut into that, and when you’re playing good teams you can’t shoot yourself in the foot.”

Burnett scored the Raiders’ final TD, catching a 22-yard pass from Champagne on a fourth-and-19 play at the end of the third quarter. Burnett finished with 121 yards rushing on 20 carries.

The victory puts the Raiders (4-1, 4-1) one win from becoming eligible for the playoffs. Are they thinking about it?

“We are,” Burnett said, “but as of right now, on to East Aurora, then Streamwood, then Glenbard East, then Elgin, then playoffs.”