FOOTBALL: Spartans End Season on High Note in Rout of Maine East

It wasn’t exactly the ending imagined, but the Spartans got to end the season on a win--and a resounding win no less.

GBN thumped Maine East 55-22 during the season finale homecoming game in Northbrook Friday night, marking the end to a disappointing 4-5 season marred with injuries. The win over the Blue Demons (1-8, 1-4) gave the Spartans (4-5, 3-2) a winning record in the Central Suburban League North.

The season started with playoff expectations, but as a consolation the seniors took advantage of the rare chance to end their careers with wins.

Related: VIDEO: Glenbrook North Homecoming Parade 2011

Senior Jason Scholl caught the game’s opening touchdown on a 44-yard play following a nice job of scrambling from senior quarterback Curt Petty. Ending on a win was not lost on Scholl, who caught another touchdown just before halftime and anchored the defense against Maine East’s run-heavy offense.

“Obviously we would have liked to get into the playoffs and do something there, but you get to walk off this field with a win,” Scholl said. “When we go back and I’m 40 years old I’m going to remember this game saying I won my last high school football game.”

Fellow senior Trevor Ponticelli took a screen pass 80 yards to make it 14-0 late in the first quarter. Ponticelli finished with 153 yards receiving and said it was nice to "go out with a bang."

“It means everything to us seniors,” Ponticelli said. “We didn’t make playoffs and that’s a disappointment, but we really wanted to leave on our terms and that’s something we really stressed this week.”

Junior Grant Rushing, who returned to action following an injury picked up two weeks ago against Maine West, totaled 120 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and caught another to contribute to the Spartans’ big offensive day.

Petty also connected with Tommy Senft and Chad Bruce for first half touchdowns to make it 42-6 at halftime. Petty finished 13-18 for 312 yards and six TDs.

“I was waiting for my breakout game,” Petty said with a big smile. “I was waiting for it and I got it. It made me really happy.”

The players agreed the best thing about being a part of Glenbrook North football was playing with friends.

“Even if the season isn’t going as well as you thought it would or wanted to I just love the team,” Ponticelli said. “I love these guys every single one of them and I wouldn’t take anything back from this season.”

“When I look back on the season, yeah, it’s a 4-5 season, but I remember my best friends I played a game I love with,” Petty said.

“You get so close to your team and everything,” said Scholl, who will attend Eastern Illinois University next fall on a baseball scholarship. “The experience of high school football and Glenbrook North football is incredible. It feels like yesterday that I was starting my freshman year of football. It goes by so fast and I can’t say more about it.”

With homecoming festivities taking place the Spartans provided plenty of sparks on the field before the post-game fireworks signified the end of the season.

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