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Titans’ seniors leave program in good shape

November 10, 2011 By

(Glenview Announcements) Most of the players on Glenbrook South won’t play football beyond high school.

Which is why Saturday’s 34-31 overtime loss to Lyons will take a long time to forget.

The Titans came close to winning the game and moving on to the quarterfinals to play No. 1-ranked Loyola. Glenbrook South led by 14 points in the third quarter before Lyons rallied to send the game into OT with a touchdown with less than two minutes to go in regulation.

Branden McGarrity’s field goal put the Titans up three in OT, but Jaime Jones scored his fifth TD of the game for the go-ahead points. Jones ran for a season-high 174 yards as Lyons advanced to the quarterfinals for a second season in a row.

“This is the worst right now,” Glenbrook South coach Mike Noll said. “We should have won this ball game. We were in good position to win. We made too many mistakes.”

Glenbrook South (8-3) ended its season in the second round for the second consecutive season.

“Obviously, the way we lost is tough to handle, tough to swallow,” said senior quarterback Mac Zabriskie, who went 13-for-23 for 168 yards and two TDs. “We had the game won, but we let off. We let them back into the game, and they won.

“That kind of loss will stay with you forever.”

Senior Kevin Schroeder ran 27 times for 116 yards and scored a TD, and senior Sully Stadler caught seven passes for 82 yards and a TD. Stadler also blocked a punt for a TD and intercepted a pass.

The Titans were playing some of the best football in Class 8A at the end of the season and won a playoff game for the sixth time in seven years, including three years in a row.

“I feel like we are leaving the program better than when we found it,” Zabriskie said. “We had a great year, but losing in the second round for us is unacceptable. We wanted to get to at least the quarters. We had the talent to do it.

“I hope next year’s seniors take this as a lesson.”

Zabriskie now turns his attention to the baseball season. He plans to take some time off to rest his sore elbow before beginning his offseason training. Zach Jones and Stadler are two other football players who also play baseball.

The Titans want to erase last season’s memory of losing in the regional final to Loyola.

“We are going to have a great spring,” predicted Zabriskie, who pitches and plays outfield. “Our goal is to win conference and win the state title. It was a tough ending for football, but at least I do have baseball to look forward to.”

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South Loses OT Heartbreaker

November 6, 2011 By

(Glenview Patch) Perhaps Glenbrook South coach Mike Noll summed up his team’s wild 34-31 IHSA Class 8A second round overtime loss to Lyons Township High School best.

“Our kids knew coming in that we had to play 48 minutes,” Noll said. “Lyons is a team that had a bunch of late comeback wins this season. We had the chance to finish them off and we didn’t.”

The scenario: South led 28-14 with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter, thanks to a blocked punt by Michael Demos inside the Lions’ 20-yard line. The ball was then scooped up by defensive back Sully Stadler, who raced 15 yards into the end zone to give the Titans a two touchdown lead.

Less than two minutes earlier, with Lyons driving in Titan territory, Stadler also intercepted quarterback Zachary Mahoney, then returned the pick 58 yards to the Lions’ 6-yard line.

On the very next play, South running back Kevin Schroeder (27 carries, 110 yards) found the end zone on a 6-yard run up the middle, which gave the Titans a 21-14 edge.

Quick momentum swing

With the Titans ahead by two touchdowns, and their defense suddenly dominating late in the third quarter following Stadler’s two huge defensive plays, things quickly took a 180-degree turn.

Lyons needed less than two minutes to cut South’s lead in half on its ensuing possession. A five play 64-yard drive – capped by a 21-yard touchdown run by Lions’ running back Jaime Jones – made it 28-21 South with 1:23 left in the third quarter.

Jones (23 carries, 155 yards, 4 TDs) would strike again later multiple times when it mattered most, but not before a bit of misfortune cost the Titans the game – and a trip to the Class 8A quarterfinals.

Leading, 28-21 with 2:55 remaining in the fourth quarter, South faced a fourth-and-3 from the Lions’ 29-yard line. Lyons was also out of time outs, meaning a first down by the Titans would have effectively ended the game.

Schroeder burst through the right side of the line of scrimmage, picking up the four yards he needed for the first down, but as he dove toward the ground, he had the football stripped from his hands. Lyons recovered the fumble on its own 22-yard line, with 2:47 remaining in regulation, but still needed to drive 78 yards to send the game into overtime. And they had to do so without the ability to stop the clock.

Amazing drive sends it to OT

Lyons needed just six plays to tie the game. A 21-yard pass from Mahoney to Matthew Harris, followed by another 13-yard catch, also by Harris, set the Lions up with first-and-goal at the South 5-yard line, with just under two minutes to go.

On the next play, Jones tied the game on a 5-yard TD run with 1:38 remaining – his fourth of the game – to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, South appeared to score when Sadler caught a pass inside the 5-yard line from quarterback Mac Zabriskie (12-for-21, 155 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs). Sadler dove just inside the orange end zone pylon after the catch, causing the referee to signal a touchdown.

However, the Titans were flagged for an illegal procedure/formation call on the play, negating the touchdown. South would instead settle for a 21-yard field goal by kicker Brandon McGarrity, instead of risking going for it on fourth-and-goal from the Lions’ 4-yard line.

“I briefly thought about going for it there, but in that situation, you have to take the points,” Noll said. “You just have to take the points to give yourself the lead there.”

McGarrity’s kick gave South a 31-28 overtime lead, at which point Lyons had four downs to either tie the game with a field goal and send it to a second overtime, or win it with a touchdown.

The Titans’ celebration was extremely short-lived.

On Lyons’ very first offensive play in overtime, they won the game thanks to Jones yet again. Jones plowed through the South line and several linebackers, for a 10-yard game-winning touchdwon run, ending the Titans’ season in heartbreaking fashion.

Noll said he will miss this group of outgoing seniors.

“They’ve been a great group,” Noll said. “They all just put a lot of hard work into everything they did, and I want to thank them for that. Obviously this isn’t the way we wanted it to end, and it hurts right now, but I am extremely thankful that our guys worked as hard as they did all season long.”

A victory the Lyons community needed

Not lost in the dramatic comeback win by the Lions was the positive impact the victory had on Lyons Township High School and the surrounding local community.

Nearly every tree in town was wrapped with white ribbons and bows prior to the game, to honor the memory of 14-year-old Kelli O’Laughlin, whose life was tragically cut short on Oct. 27 by a senseless act of violence.

O’Laughlin was a freshman at Lyons Township High School. Her memory was also honored in a pre-game moment of silence, and with a sign near the football field that read “Kelli.”

After Lyons scored the game-winning touchdown, dozens of students and Lions’ coaches openly sobbed both tears of joy and sadness. The tears weren’t only due to the remarkable comeback – they were also ones honoring an innocent young girl whose memory is alive and well in a community that has quickly bonded together.

“Obviously it’s been a very rough week,” Lyons coach Kurt Weinberg said. “It (the win) gives our community something to smile about, which we need. But at the same time, nothing can ever replace her (Kelli), and our thoughts are all with her family and friends during this extremely difficult time.”

“We’ve won two games this season on last second field goals, and last week we were down 35-10 and came back to win,” Weinberg added. “So we’re used to coming from behind like this. It’s just an amazing feeling.”

South finishes the season with an 8-3 overall record, while Lyons is now 7-4.

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Lyons Township rallies to defeat Glenbrook South in OT

November 5, 2011 By

(Glenview Announcements) An emotional week ended with an emotional triumph Saturday night for Lyons Township. Senior running back Jaime Jones was in the middle of the celebration.

Jones scored all five of LT’s TDs and rushed for a season-high 174 yards on 25 carries as LT pulled off another upset against a higher seed with a thrilling 34-31 overtime victory against Glenbrook South. Jones scored the game-winning touchdown with a carry up the middle for 10 yards on LT’s first overtime play.

Fifth-seeded Glenbrook South (8-3), which had won seven of its last eight games, scored on its first possession in overtime on Brandon McGarrity’s 21-yard field goal before Jones’ clincher.

Jones scored on runs of 27, 3, 21, 5 and 10 yards in the game, which was held at LT’s south campus in Western Springs where freshman Kelli O’Laughlin attended school. Jones was among five captains who attended her funeral service earlier in the week as representatives of the football team. Every player and coach wore K.O. stickers during the game to remember their late classmate, who was murdered more than a week ago.

“This win is for Kelli O’Laughlin,” Jones said. “You can’t know how much it means to us after going to the service. This was fuel for our rage, this game. What a terrible predicament for her mother.”

LT (7-4), a No. 12 seed, won for the fifth time in its last six games and returns to the Class 8A quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. LT will play top-seeded Loyola (10-0), a 29-0 winner over Dunbar, next weekend. LT made a furious comeback after GBS took a 28-14 lead in the third quarter when Sully Stadler returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a score. Mike Demos blocked the punt more than one minute after Kevin Schroeder (27 carries, 116 yards) scored on a 6-yard run.

Jones scored his third TD with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter and scored the only points in the fourth with his fourth TD after LT went 77 yards on nine plays to tie the game with 1:38 left.

“Obviously, it has been a tough week,” LT coach Kurt Weinberg said. “This could do a whole lot to bring something positive for the whole community.”

LT placekicker Jake Elliott, who has made two game-winning kicks, including a 52-yarder earlier this season, attempted a 56-yard field goal to end regulation, but the kick was blocked.

GBS quarterback Mac Zabriskie (13-for-23, 168 yards) passed for two touchdowns for the second consecutive week. Stadler had seven receptions for 82 yards.

“This was the worst right now,” GBS coach Mike Noll said. “We should have won this ball game. We were in a good position to win. We made too many mistakes.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the first half. Every time LT scored, GBS responded. LT needed only six plays to travel 65 yards to score on the game’s opening possession. Jones scored the first of his two touchdowns in the first half on a 27-yard run.

Jones put LT ahead 14-7 in the the second quarter by ending a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run.

After Jones’ first TD, the Titans scored on Mac Zabriskie’s 21-yard TD pass to Sully Stadler on a fourth-and-seven play with 42.2 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Zabriske’s second TD of the half sent LT’s defense into halftime feeling a little dazed.

On fourth-and-one at the LT 15, Kevin Schroeder went up the middle for an 11-yard gain with 32.2 seconds remaining before the break. On the next play, GBS tied the game when Zabriskie hit Billy Pappas with a perfect pass to the right corner of the end zone as Pappas sprinted away from an LT defender.

McGarrity’s point-after kick tied the game at 14 with 25.7 seconds before halftime. McGarrity, a member of the GBS boys soccer team, ended the Titans’ previous possession with 3:59 remaining in the second quarter when he pulled a 26-yard field goal attempt to the left.

Jones rushed for 80 yards on 12 carries in the second half. Zabriskie led junior Zach Mahoney (16-of-27, 168 yards) in passing in the first half by completing 9-of-12 for 119 yards and two TDs. Mahoney went 8-for-12 for 78 yards and threw one interception. Mahoney made his third career start for the varsity after taking over for previous starter Connor Onion.

LT rallied to beat Bartlett 45-42 in the first round despite trailing 28-7 in the second half. Mount Carmel defeated LT 41-10 in last year’s quarterfinals. LT has never reached the quarterfinals in back-to-back seasons before.

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Titans Take Care Of Trevs Twice; Lyons Next

October 31, 2011 By

(Journal Online) The Glenbrook South student body started Friday’s pre-game pep rally at 5 a.m., voted “Prep Destination of the Week” by a local TV station. Titan fans would have a lot to cheer about that night.

Friday’s Class 8A first round matchup at John Davis Stadium in Glenview unfolded with the No. 5 Titans (7-2 coming in) having their way with No. 12 New Trier Trevians, 27-0.

Both sides had the luxury of going through game tape of their midseason clash that GBS won 21-10. Coach Mike Noll’s game plan revolved around handoffs to running back Kevin Schroeder who would take advantage of the Titans’ consistent blocking schemes.

Schroeder gave up the ball on a fumble during South’s initial possession, but made up for it in the end tallying 25 carries for 130 yards and two scores. The player that would take on much of the blocking for Schroeder was Michael Demos, the team captain who stepped up on key plays.

Near the end of the 1st quarter the Trevians lined up in their rugby style formation. Demos broke through the blockers, and changed the path of the ball and the path of the game.

“We have been working on it all week. They have a different kind of punt formation. I felt I could get one off the edge, it was an awesome feeling,” Demos stated. The blocked punt set up South’s first score.

“I thought that the blocked punt was the play of the game. It certainly flipped the momentum. I am not surprised one bit that he made that play. He is our captain and a three-year starter,” Noll happily reiterated.

The second quarter was a big one for the Titans. Schroeder scored on a 3-yard run with less than 12 minutes left in the second quarter. GBS then put the ball in the air. Titans QB Mac Zabriskie found his favorite target, Sully Stadler, on a 37-yard hookup for a TD. Schroeder’s second TD came on a 17-yard run with time running down to make it 20-0 at the half.

“Mac threw the fade well and hit some open receivers,” Noll said. The two minute drive right before halftime was the proverbial “nail in the coffin” on an early Halloween weekend spectacular.

The final score would be a pass from Zabriskie to Ose Ilenikhena with 9:33 left in 3rd. On the next possession, deep inside the red zone, Stadler then intercepted a pass intended for a Trevian wideout. The Titans didn’t let down. Late in the game, Demos would recover a fumble to ice the victory.

“The defense contained their guy outside. The ball just squirted loose and I was there to pick it up,” Demos concluded.

“We are going to scout Lyons and Bartlett Saturday. Then we will start breaking it down on Sunday. We are really proud how our kids bounced back after a tough game last week,” Noll concluded.

The Titans travel to Lyons Township High School in LaGrange in a round two tilt. Date and kickoff time had yet to be announced by noon on Monday, Oct. 31.

The winner of that game faces the winner of the Loyola-Dunbar matchup set to take place in Chicago this weekend.

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Glenbrook South overcomes early mistakes in win

October 28, 2011 By

(Chicago Tribune) Glenbrook South lost two fumbles in the first half of Friday’s game, but the Titans made sure those turnovers didn’t lose them the game.

Glenbrook South overcame the early mistakes to earn a 27-0 win over visiting New Trier in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs.

Despite the turnovers, the Titans led 20-0 at the half on their way to their second victory over the Trevians since Sept. 30. Glenbrook South (8-2) held New Trier (6-4) to three first downs and 65 yards in the first two quarters.

“Our defense has held us together all year,” said senior Alex Leet, who lost his first fumble all season in the second quarter. “They always play so hard. People are scared of our defense for a reason.”

Like he did in the first meeting of the two CSL South clubs, Kevin Schroeder found the end zone multiple times. The senior, who also lost a fumble, ran for two of the team’s three touchdowns in the first half and finished with 119 yards on 24 carries. He scored three times in the Titans’ 21-10 last month.

Schroeder’s first touchdown came after Michael Demos blocked a punt and set up Glenbrook South at New Trier’s 25-yard line.

Down three scores, New Trier took the opening kick of the second half into Glenbrook South territory before fumbling the ball away.

Unlike the Trevians, the Titans took advantage of the turnover, scoring five plays later on Mac Zabriskie’s 16-yard pass to Ose Ilenikhena, the senior quarterback’s second TD toss of the game.

“We would have some positive things and then something bad would happen,” said New Trier coach Dan Starkey, whose program hasn’t won a playoff game since 2008. “What could go wrong did. We couldn’t capitalize on our opportunities. It was a tough way to go out.”

After the score, Jack Nykaza drove the Trevians down the field before throwing an interception at Glenbrook South’s 5-yard line. New Trier had another drive stall inside the red zone during the fourth quarter. The Trevians later lost another fumble, finishing the game with three turnovers.

Nykaza went 15-for-36 for 137 yards and ran for another 51. Leet followed Schroeder, running 13 times for 86 yards. Zabriskie was an efficient 6-for-9 for 143 yards.

“This is what we wanted,” Leet said. “Maine South was a really tough loss, but we bounced back and showed we them we mean business.”

Glenbrook South plays the winner of Saturday’s game between Bartlett and Lyons.

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Glenbrook South to face familiar foe in playoffs

October 26, 2011 By

(Chicago Sun-Times) At the very least, there shouldn’t be many surprises on the football field in Glenview Friday night.

Not even a month has passed since Glenbrook South played New Trier, and the two CSL South teams will meet up again in the first round of the Class 8A state playoffs.

The No. 25-ranked Titans posted a 21-10 victory the first time around, as Kevin Schroeder ran 21 times for 143 yards and scored three touchdowns.

“I guess it’s a little easier when you know the personnel,” said Glenbrook South senior Michael Demos. “It’s not like we have to come up with a whole new game plan. We are not starting from scratch. But they definitely are a better team, and they have done a couple of different things on offense since we played.”

Since losing that game, New Trier won its final three of the regular season to earn an automatic bid into the 32-team field. Glenbrook South is 2-1 since Sept. 30, losing to Maine South 45-21 Friday in a game that featured two then-undefeated teams in league play.

“We kind of felt like we didn’t play as well as we were supposed to (vs. Maine South),” Demos said. “We just weren’t good enough.”

While Maine South won its 11th conference championship in a row, Glenbrook South will have to wait another season for another crack at its first league crown since 1995.

“We’ve been building up our season to this,” said senior running back Billy Pappas. “A win would have been huge momentum into the playoffs. We’ve got to pick it up.”

Glenbrook South trailed the Hawks 24-7 at the half, but the Titans scored twice within a couple of minutes late in the third quarter to pull within three points.

Both touchdowns passes went to Pappas, the first from quarterback Mac Zabriskie and the second from receiver Sully Stadler on a trick play.

“We came out in the second half explosive and hit them in the mouth,” Pappas said. “We just couldn’t keep it up.”

Maine South answered right away with two consecutive touchdowns to regain control of the game.

“They are ranked No. 1 for a reason,” Stadler said. “Not much to say about it. It was a good test for the playoffs, and I’m sure we will run into them again.”

Glenbrook South is back in the state playoffs for seventh time in coach Mike Noll’s eight years. The Titans have won at least one postseason game five times. New Trier is searching for its first playoff win since 2009.

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Mistakes costly in GBS loss – Titans look to put loss behind them with deep playoff run

October 25, 2011 By

(Glenview Patch) It’s not easy to beat a team like Maine South.

Sitting atop many high school Football polls, a team would need to play mistake free football to upset the undefeated Hawks.

Glenbrook South gave it a shot on Friday night, but with three turnovers and a series of crucial dropped passes, the Titans were unable to pull it off in a 45-21 loss in Park Ridge.

“You can’t turn it over three times,” Glenbrook South coach Mike Noll said. “We’ve got to have zero turnovers in a game like this to be competitive and take it all the way to the end.”

The win gave Maine South (9-0, 5-0) its 11th-consecutive Central Suburban League South conference title and its 55th straight conference victory.

The Titans’ (7-2, 4-1) captured the momentum early, recovering an onside kick attempt on the opening kickoff that provided quite a spark to the GBS sideline.

“We planned it all week,” Noll said. “It’s a good way to start a game. You have to take some risks in a ballgame like this.”

After driving the ball downfield to the Hawks’ 19-yard line, the Titans faced fourth-and-eight without their primary kicker, Brandon McGarrity, who was busy leading the soccer team to its first regional championship since 1997.

GBS chose to go for it, but a dropped pass in the endzone killed the Titans’ momentum.

Maine South had a field goal and a pair of touchdowns on its first three possessions to take a 17-0 lead, with GBS punting and throwing an interception after its turnover-on-downs.

“We had to be able to run the ball,” said Noll, who was forced to get away from his team’s strength after the early deficit. “We needed something good to happen early.”

The Titans answered back with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Mac Zabriskie to Sully Stadler later in the second quarter, which was set up by a 64-yard kick return by Brett Laurie, but the Hawks would score another touchdown before the break to go into halftime with a 24-7 advantage.

After each team traded punts to begin the third quarter, the Titans narrowed the gap when Zabriskie found a wide-open Billy Pappas four a 36-yard TD pass to pull within 10 points of the Hawks.

GBS forced a punt on the ensuing possession, and Pappas again was wide-open for a touchdown pass, this time on a throw from Stadler, a wide receiver.

“I think we just got a little momentum going, made a couple big plays,” Noll said of the Titans’ third-quarter surge. “The defense got fired up a couple times, we got a stop and all the sudden we’re back in the game.”

But that’s as close as the Titans would come.

Maine South scored touchdowns on three of their final four possessions to take a 24-point lead, with the final score coming on a 80-yard run by Paul Preston.

Pappas recorded two catches – both for touchdowns – for a total of 71 yards, and added 54 yards on the ground. Stadler had a 14-yard touchdown catch and a 35-yard TD pass.

The loss brings the regular season to an end for the Titans, who will now prepare for a playoff run.

Noll said he would give his team less than 24 hours to feel about the loss before shifting gears.

“I’m going to worry about us playing our best football next week, he said. “We’re a good team. We feel like we can win some games in the playoffs.”

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10 Questions with Billy Pappas

October 24, 2011 By

Pappas is a senior on the Glenbrook South Football team. He plays the wingback position for the Titans.

Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I’ve got to have my iPod with my play list on it. Just make sure I have all my gear for the game.

What’s currently playing on your iPod?

Mostly rap, hip hop, I’ve got a little dub step in there just to mix it up.

Who is your favorite athlete?

I’d probably say Michael Vick just because he probably has the most swag out of anybody in the NFL.

If you could play another sport, what would it be?

I’ve always wanted to play hockey. I love going to GBS hockey games and watching but I’m not the best skater.

What do you want to do after graduation?

Definitely go off to college. I’m not sure where I want to go yet but I’m looking at schools right now, maybe play football.

Name one thing you can’t live without?

Maybe football. I’ve been playing it for four or five years now and I don’t know what I’m going to do when its over.

What would your dream job be?

Id like to work for ESPN either on the radio or TV. Talking about sports is something I like to do.

If you walk into Walgreens with a couple of bucks, what are you buying?

An Arizona Iced Tea and some Zours candy.

What’s one thing not many people know about you?

I’m double jointed in both thumbs.

What are your goals for rest of season?

Just win games in November in the playoffs.

-Interview by Assistant Editor Alex Mayster

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Maine South counters GBS punches to capture CSL South

October 21, 2011 By

(Glenview Announcements) Top-ranked Maine South showed it’s ready for the playoffs Friday in Park Ridge by taking a good punch from No. 23 Glenbrook South and still coming out with the 45-21 win in the final game of the regular season.

Ahead 24-7 at the half, the Hawks (9-0, 5-0 CSL South) watched as the Titans (7-2, 4-1) scored twice in less than three minutes — both on Billy Pappas touchdown catches — late in the third quarter to pull within three points.

“They ran two great plays against us,” said Maine South coach Dave Inserra, whose secondary was burned once by quarterback Mac Zabriskie and again on a halfback pass by Sully Stadler. “We’ve got to do better on the basics.”

But Maine South bounced back with consecutive scores of its own in matter of minutes to win its 55th consecutive conference contest and capture its 11th league title in a row.

“It was a great setup to be a great game,” said Maine South senior Tyler Fahey of the matchup between league’s two undefeated teams. “I’ve never prepared so hard for a game. We came out and executed. We just made more plays than they did.”

A two-way starter, Fahey caught a 42-yard TD pass before the half to give the Hawks a 24-7 lead.

Matt Alviti ran more than he threw Friday. The Hawks’ junior quarterback carried the ball 22 times for 166 yards and three TDs. Through the air, he finished 11-for-17 for 176 yards and a TD.

Maine South running back Paul Preston completed the scoring with an 80-yard scoring run late in the fourth quarter. The senior finished with 146 yards on 14 carries.

Kevin Schroeder, Glenbrook South’s standout runner, ran 11 times for 49 yards. He also lost a fumble.

The win gave Maine South coach Inserra his sixth undefeated regular campaign in 11 seasons.

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Football preview | Glenbrook South’s Schroeder grows into role

October 20, 2011 By

(Chicago Tribune) He did not begin playing organized football until his freshman year, but Glenbrook South senior Kevin Schroeder is all too aware of Maine South’s decade-long dominance of the Central Suburban League.

Among Maine South’s 54 consecutive CSL South victories is a 30-27 squeaker in 2008 over a Titans team whose leading rusher was Mike Schroeder.

Glenbrook South led Maine South in the fourth quarter the following year, but middle linebacker David Schroeder and the rest of the Titans defense could not stop Matt Perez in a 45-34 loss.

Now it’s Kevin’s turn, and as much as Glenbrook South coach Mike Noll tries to downplay the significance of one game, the entire Schroeder family has been looking forward to this one.

“The coaches always stress not to think about Maine South all the time, but the big games in the seasons are the ones you remember most,” Kevin Schroeder said. “I know how frustrating it was for my brothers, because they came so close.

“My oldest brother was within a field goal. I remember being in the bleachers. That game was really hard to watch. We definitely take it week by week, but we know this game is going to define our season, other than the playoffs.”

Smart, quiet leaders by example, all three Schroeder brothers have been favorites of Noll.

Deemed too small to play for the Junior Titans by his parents, Kevin’s first taste of football came as a 5-foot-1, 110-pound freshman running back.

A growth spurt put him at5-8, 150 as a junior and helped him earn the starting free safety spot for the final four games of that season.

Now listed at 5-9, 175, Schroeder has been the Titans’ best offensive weapon as a runner and receiver during a six-game winning streak in which their smallest margin of victory is 11.

“All three brothers are the same kind of kid,” Noll said. “They do all the little things right. Kevin does not look particularly fast on film, but he is fast between the white lines. And his attention to details is almost perfect.”

Glenbrook South at No. 1 Maine South

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Where: 1111 S. Dee Road, Park Ridge.

Last meeting: Maine South won 55-16 on Oct. 15, 2010.

Records: Glenbrook South 7-1, 4-0 Central Suburban South; Maine South 8-0, 4-0.

Players to watch: Glenbrook South — Kevin Schroeder, Sr., 5-9, 175, RB (111 carries, 646 yards, 13 TDs; 19 receptions, 167 yards, 3 TDs); Mac Zabriskie, Sr., 6-0, 175, QB (939 yards passing, 11 TDs); Matt Powers, Sr., 6-3, 180, DE (3.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss). Maine South — Paul Preston, Sr., RB, 5-4, 160 (84 carries, 691 yards, 14 TDs; 3 receiving TDs, 2 kick return TDs); Matt Alviti, Sr., QB, 6-1, 184 (112-for-176, 1,360 yards, 19 TDs; 253 yards rushing, 7 TDs); Luke Lenti, Sr., LB, 6-1, 207 (64 tackles, 9 for loss).

X and O factor: The best defense against Maine South’s typically high-scoring offense could be the left side of Glenbrook South’s offensive line — tackle Max Leonard (6-7, 240) and guard Mike Demos (6-4, 245).

FYI: This could be Maine South’s final home game until deep into the playoffs. The Hawks were stripped of two home playoff games for the use of fraudulent sideline passes in the 2010 postseason.

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