Team Preview: Glenbard West

<strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Head Coach:</span></strong> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/glenbard-west-hilltoppers-(glen-ellyn,il)/football/records/coaches.htm">Chad Hetlet</a></span></em> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mascot:</span></strong><em> Hilltoppers</em> <strong>Twitter: </strong><em>@HitterFootball</em> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">IHSA Enrollment:</span></strong><em> 2347</em> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2019 Record:</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">10-1 </span></em> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Star Player: </span></strong><em>RB: [player_tooltip player_id="20241" first="Samson" last="Zander"], SR</em> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Breakout Star: </span></strong><em>OL: Chris Terek, SO</em> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 24pt"><strong>Overview</strong></span> When you look at Glenbard West’s 2020 squad, you can’t help but think of their offense. They return the state’s best backfield in running back’s [player_tooltip player_id="20241" first="Samson" last="Zander"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="20244" first="Jalen" last="Moore"]. Coach Chad Hetlet’s unique fly sweep offense is one of the toughest to defend in all of Illinois, and I fully expect them to continue to give opposing coaches major issues. The Hitters feature multiple FBS &amp; FCS recruits who are starting to gain a lot of traction of late in the recruiting game. One name to remember is sophomore offensive lineman Chris Terek. At 6’5 310, he looks to be the next great hitter offensive lineman and could be a Power-5 recruit. After falling last fall in the second of the 7A state playoffs to a very talented Loyola squad, Glenbard West looks towards 2020 and making their annual deep playoff run this fall. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt"><strong>Offense</strong></span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2019 Offensive PPG:</span></strong><em> 44.4</em> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Notable Returners:</span></strong> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">QB: Braden Spiech 6’,180, SR</span></em> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">RB: [player_tooltip player_id="20241" first="Samson" last="Zander"], 5’8, 170, SR</span></em> <em>RB: [player_tooltip player_id="20244" first="Jalen" last="Moore"], 5’10, 190, SR</em> [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="302"] Photo Courtsey of Friday Night Drive[/caption] &nbsp; <em>TE: [player_tooltip player_id="20278" first="Denin" last="Limouris"], 6’2, 225, SR</em> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">OL: [player_tooltip player_id="20292" first="Wes" last="Hoeh"], 6’4, 250, SR</span></em> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">OL: Charlie Baer</span></em><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, 6’2, 255, SR</span></em> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Notable Departures:</span></strong> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">RB: Joey Richmond</span></em> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">FB: Nick Seifert</span></em> <em>WR: Will Halkyard</em> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt"><strong>Defense</strong></span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">2019 Defensive PPG:</span></strong><em> 8.8</em> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Notable Returners:</span></strong> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">LB: </span></em><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="20366" first="Caleb" last="Moorhead"], 6’2, 190, SR</span></em> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">DL: Darryl Obasuyi, 6’3, 210, SR</span></em> <i>LB: George Apostolu, 6’1, 210, SR</i> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">LB: Kyle Rossy, 6’3, 200, JR</span></em> (No Picture Available) <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Notable Departures:</span></strong> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">LB: Greyson Metz</span></em> <em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">LB: Will Skowronski</span></em> <em>DL: Kevin Tracy</em> <em>DL: David Lanciloti</em> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt"><strong>2020 Schedule</strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">@ Maine South, 8/28</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">@ Leyden, 9/4</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">@ Proviso West 9/11</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">vs. Addison Trail, 9/19</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">@ York, 9/25</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">vs. Downers Grove North, 10/3</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">vs. Lyons, 10/10</span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">@ Hinsdale Central, 10/16</span> vs. Oak Park-River Forest 10/24 <strong>Opponents 2019 Record: </strong><em>38-47</em> &nbsp; <span data-preserver-spaces="true"><span style="font-size: 18pt"><strong>Top Storyline</strong></span></span> Can the the Hitters reload on the defensive side of the ball, after the loss of some very good players? &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt"><strong>Thoughts</strong></span> Glenbard West will be a legitimate threat to win a state title in Class 7A. With their high flying offense returning a ton of talent, the big question mark will be on the defensive side. Glenbard West’s defense was dominant last year, giving up 8 points or less in eight of their eleven ball games. However, they lost the leader of their defense to graduation, in Northwestern commit Greyson Metz &amp; a few other talented ballplayers. If the Hitters reload and continue to play quality defense, I think the sky is the limit. Their week one matchup at Maine South will say a lot about how their 2020 season will go. They have a very favorable schedule, and I could see them running the table yet again this fall. Coach Chad Hetlet does a phenomenal job with his program and will certainly make a push at his third state championship.