Thanks to some gaps in the Grant defense that were discovered during film study, Alexander Bubaris had an inkling that he may play a more prominent role than usual in the Glenbrook North football team’s home opener.
His intuition was spot-on, as the senior receiver put on a one-man show in the Spartans’ 42-13 nonconference rout of the Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 2, in Northbrook.
Bubaris’ titanic effort included eight receptions for a school-record 234 yards and three touchdowns, and he returned a punt 56 yards for another score — all in the first half. Most of the damage inflicted in the passing game came on short bubble screens.
The routes run on several of the big gains were a direct result of blitz looks that Glenbrook North coaches had identified from Grant’s season-opener. When one of the blitz fronts was recognized prior to the snap by Spartans quarterback Kevin Burnside and his receivers, it was up to them to deviate from calls made in the huddle and adjust to routes designed to exploit the would-be gaps in coverage left open by a blitz.
Bubaris and Burnside cashed in on several of these opportunities and they helped pave the way for the blowout win and a record-setting performance from Bubaris.The three touchdown grabs went for 39, 63 and 68 yards and included an array of nifty moves from Bubaris and effective downfield blocking from his fellow receivers.
“That’s what we saw open in their defense, so we came in wanting to exploit that type of play,” Bubaris said. “A lot of credit also goes to the other receivers. They might not have gotten all the catches they wanted but when we watch film, we’ll see how important a role they played.”
Burnside’s 29-yard keeper and James Mercouris’ 1-yard plunge helped the Spartans take a 42-0 halftime lead against Grant, which triggered a running clock after intermission.
“He (Bubaris) had a great game and the punt return was the icing on the cake,” Spartans coach Bob Pieper said. “I think what was more impressive was not only did he run the right routes and make the right adjustments, but after he caught the ball some of his moves in the open field were pretty impressive. He made a lot of people miss.”
Bubaris played a more secondary role at receiver as a junior, instead making most of his impact as a starting cornerback. In addition to his increased role on offense this fall, he’s also switched over to safety.
He’s one of seven returning defensive starters on a unit that held four of nine 2015 regular-season opponents to a touchdown or less.
“If teams have trouble scoring on us and we keep putting up points like this, I don’t see how we’re going to fall,” Bubaris said.
He figures to share the spotlight with other talented members of the Spartans’ receiving corps, which includes returning starters Tommy Gertner and TJ Weinzimmer on the outside, and Mercouris, who joins Bubaris in the slot.
The group prides itself on being well-rounded and the downfield blocking was no accident.
“Linemen are going to get us the first 5 yards and receivers are going to get us the rest,” Pieper said. “They know they have to block. There are days (in practice) that receivers don’t even touch the ball.”
After two straight blowout wins to start the season, the Spartans will seek the program’s first 3-0 start since 2004 in a Week 3 matchup with Hersey. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, in Arlington Heights.
“All the coaches throughout the program have always said that our class was a special group with a lot of talent,” Burnside said. “We’re really excited about this and things are going pretty well so far.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
