Sports

Spartan Defense Couldn't Tame Wolves

Glenbrook North lost 31 to 23 against Niles West in Skokie.

Glenbrook North was down 23 to 31 during their last possession of the game, but when they made three first down plays in a row, it looked like they could make a last minute turn around to tie the game in time. 

Until a clutch Niles West interception, with a minute left in the game, sealed the Spartans' fate. The Wolves ended up winning their homecoming game on Friday night. 


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Niles West scored the game's first touchdown on a handoff halfway through the first quarter, and they managed to keep the ball in Spartan territory for the better part of that quarter. But a Niles West fumble at the 2:24 mark gave the Spartans possession, which led to their first touchdown. 

GBN came into the second quarter just as strong, forcing a turnover when Niles West lost control of the ball on a tackle. Spartan quarterback AJ Spitz then made a 60 yard dash, giving the Spartans their only lead of the game. 

The advantage didn't last long, Niles West tied the game on their next possession and scored again in the final two minutes of the first half. 

Spartan defense struggled in the third quarter, letting Niles West bring the ball within two yards of the end zone early on. The Wolves couldn't score a touchdown on the play, but landed a 20 yard field goal.

Glenbrook North answered with a strong offensive push on their next possession, getting the ball within 10 yards of the end zone before scoring a 26 yard field goal. 

The Spartans tried to keep that momentum going, making an important interception on the Wolves' next possession. Spitz ran the ball in again on the third down, but Niles West blocked GBN's extra point attempt, keeping them a point shy of tying the game. 

Again, the Wolves wouldn't buckle, and Quran Spillman made a 90-yard kick return, giving the Wolves the touchdown advantage they protected for the remainder of the game.

Check back with the Patch on Monday to hear the coach's commentary on Friday's game.

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