by Roy Taylor, Sun Correspondent

If Glenbard West proved anything in their victory over visiting Proviso West on Saturday, it was that preparation beats trickery. The visiting Panthers attempted several trick plays, an ill-advised onside kick and declined to punt on several fourth downs, yet didn’t score a point.

Meanwhile the Hilltoppers (7-2, 4-2 West Suburban Silver Conference) scored 44 and won the game.

Glenbard now looks forward to next week’s opening round of the IHSA Playoffs, while Proviso (1-8, 1-6) looks forward to next season.

Glenbard’s Jeremiah Marks put the game out of reach early with two touchdown runs, and finished the day with 147 yards on the ground despite playing only in the first half.

Overall, the Hilltoppers gained 248 yards rushing and only had to attempt four passes. The team’s defense also excelled. They held the Proviso offense to minus-10 yards passing, sacked their quarterbacks six times, blocked a punt and forced two fumbles.

“I thought we came out really well, very prepared to play,” Glenbard West coach John Karpowicz said. “We were hoping to be playing for a home playoff game, so there was some incentive there. Our offensive line blocked well, both our running backs played great, which meant we only had to throw a few passes all game.”

Karpowicz also complimented his defense, noting that they shut out a Proviso team that had scored nearly 20 points per game in their eight previous contests.

“Proviso was about 30 minutes late getting here, so that might have something to do with it,” he said.

Proviso West won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. The Panthers advanced the ball 36 yards to the Glenbard 44, thanks to 20 yards in penalties from the Hilltoppers. On fourth-and-eight on this first drive, they declined to punt for the first time, and Panther quarterback Sheron Harmon was sacked by Conor Gillen, turning the ball over on downs.

Five plays later, Marks was in the end zone for his first touchdown. On its next drive, Proviso would attempt another fourth-down conversion, but were stopped at their own 44.

Three plays, two first downs and just more than a minute later, Glenbard fullback Matt Rienks scored on an 18-yard sweep, and the Hilltoppers led 13-0.

On the next Glenbard possession, Marks showed his best moves of the day, bullying his way through several tackles on a 41-yard touchdown run. With 16 seconds left in the opening period, the Hiltoppers led 20-0. The senior tailback would play in two more series, then relinquish his role to allow other players to get experience.

“We wanted to get Matt Rienks, who is a very capable fullback, some carries, and we also got some carries to some kids that haven't had the opportunity, Karpowicz said. “They all did a nice job.”

Remarking on his performance, Marks said “I read the holes like they were all open, and was able to power my way for a couple more yards at times. Proivso has some real quick guys, but we were able to make it work.”

In the second quarter, kicker Tom McAndrew nailed a 31-yard field goal, and Rienks caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Ortmann. At halftime, the score was 30-0 Glenbard West.

Perhaps the best play in a game that was never close came on the opening kickoff of the second half. Proviso reached further into their bag of tricks and attempted an onside kick, which was quickly snagged by Glenbard lineman Derek Coleman. He not only covered the ball, but tucked it away and raced 54 yards for a touchdown.

To Coleman, the attempt wasn’t a surprise at all.

“I called it at halftime,” he said. “I told my guys that I knew he was going to onside-kick it, and I'm taking the ball to the house. That's my first touchdown ever.”

Safety Jason Fox turned from goat to hero in one play in the third quarter. He first gave Proviso a first down on a running into the kicker penalty, then made an interception on the next play.

Glenbard’s drive following the interception ended on a missed 51-yard field goal try. The Hilltoppers recovered a Proviso fumble three plays later, then it took only two plays for Ryan Chibucos to score on a six-yard run. The touchdown finished the scoring for the day.

Glenbard West will host a playoff game Saturday against Stagg and coaches are preaching to their players to keep up the intensity.

“We're a confident bunch and we're looking to keep extending our season,” Karpowicz said.