Going into their West Suburban Silver game with Glenbard West on Saturday, the Downers Grove North Trojans knew they could run the ball. They did that well against the Hilltoppers, rushing for 188 yards.
But the Trojans also were able to beat Glenbard West in the air. Quarterback Garrett Edwards passed for 178 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Trojans to a 40-21 victory. Edwards also ran for 109 yards and two second-half TDs on 22 carries.
It was his passing, though, that really made the difference for the Trojans (3-2, 2-1 WSC Silver).
Edwards completed his first pass of the game to Matthew Shelhamer for a 65-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. “The line gave me time to throw and I was able to make some plays,” Edwards said. “We were just pitching and catching. Passing is all about confidence, and this will help us get that.”
Edwards also teamed with Michael Tokarski on a 14-yard TD pass in the second quarter to stake Downers North to a 19-7 lead. Tokarski returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown and also recovered a fumble.
The Hilltoppers (2-3, 1-1) were pretty much a one-man show. Quarterback Ben Crookston was all they had going for them.
Crookston ran for 70 yards and a touchdown and passed for 236 yards and two TDs, including a 72-yarder to Drew Cornwell.
But the Trojans eventually solved Crookston. After completing 14 of 25 passes in the first half, he was held to 2-for-14 passing in the second half and was intercepted twice.
“The secondary did a great job adjusting and getting after them,” Edwards said. “[Glenbard West] has a good team.”
