FOOTBALL: Loss to Evanston Puts Spartans Against the Wall

Glenbrook North was in need of a win at Evanston, but after a 35-7 loss its back is against the wall.

The Spartans scored first, but were beat physically on both sides of the ball and the result was the most lopsided regular season loss since 2008.

The game started with an onside kick by GBN. The Spartans recovered and marched into the end zone on a two-yard run from Grant Rushing.

GBN tried another onside kick, but the ball went out of bounds. Two possessions later Evanston quarterback Max Block hit wide receiver Victor Bordo on a deep ball and Bordo found the end zone for a 60-yard score.

The Wildkits stopped the Spartans’ following drive at the end of the first quarter and deflected Paul Boidanis’ punt. Ray Behr picked up the ball on a hop around the 20-yard line and scampered in to give Evanston a 14-7 lead.

The Spartans were unable to recover from the momentum swing.

Behr had a pair of second quarter touchdown runs, including a highlight reel worthy 65-yard run that involved multiple cuts and broken tackle, and 121 yards rushing in the first half.

On the other side, Rushing finished with just 39 yards on 20 carries.

“We came into this game saying Grant’s gotta carry the ball,” GBN coach Bob Pieper said. “He’s one of our best players on offense and he’s gotta do something. We gotta throw when we want to throw not when we need to throw.”

Quarterback Curt Petty (10-20 for 85 yards) was forced to throw in third and long often and was under pressure from the Wildkits’ defensive line.

North is struggling to replace four injured starters, but Pieper said that can’t be used as an excuse.

“Either they step up or they’re going to be sent home,” he said. “We’re not very good right now and I hate to say that. I love these kids and we’re going to continue to coach as hard as we can, but we’re not playing very well and they need to change something.”

Evanston (3-1), which added a fourth quarter touchdown via a 32-yard Bordo reception, played its best game of the year according to Behr.

“After our win last week we just built a lot of confidence and knew that we were going to come out and lay the hammer,” Behr said. “We worked as a team perfectly.”

The Spartans (1-3) likely can’t afford another loss if they are to make the playoffs. They start Central Suburban League North play next Friday at Deerfield.

Pieper knows his team will have to start making more plays if they are to replicate last year’s 5-0 conference record.

“If we want to make the playoffs we gotta win out,” Pieper said. “If we lose one more than we’ll probably be just done after nine games.”

Before the game both teams honored former Evanston coach and athletic director John Riehle. Riehle, who was most recently an assistant coach for Glenbrook North, died of cancer in December.

“Tonight was a special night for Coach Riehl,” Evanston coach Mike Burzawa said. “He was a great man that really wanted Friday night football for a long time here in Evanston.”