GLENBROOK N. 0 10 7 0 17
FENWICK 0 0 0 0 0
The Fenwick football team new going into the first round of the Class 7A playoffs that Glenbrook North would be a formidable opponent. The Friars just didn’t realize that two big plays and a lack of productive offense would lead to their downfall.
Number 15-seeded Fenwick (5-5) was unable to generate any points against the second-seeded Spartans (9-1), falling 17-0 in Northbrook on Saturday and leaving the remainder of the season to the Chicago Prep Bowl playoffs.
Glenbrook North’s scoring came down to a trick play in the second quarter and a bomb of a pass in the third. Spartans receiver Eric Brummer tossed a 55-yard touchdown pass to fellow receiver Evan Christiansen to put Glenbrook North on the board. Christiansen caught his second touchdown pass in the third, this time a 50-yarder from quarterback Tom Coughlin (19-of-20, 129 yards). In-between the impressive touchdowns, Jimmy Schmidt added a 37-yard field goal for his team’s fourth shutout of the season.
Fenwick was held to just 144 yards of offense.
“We just couldn’t score,” said Fenwick head coach Joe DiCanio, whose Friars were kept out of the red zone the entire game. “The offense has sputtered the last 11 quarters. I told the guys we’re a 5A, 6A team playing in the 7A tournament. We did some good things and I’m proud of the kids, and we’ll go from there.”
Colin Tobin led Fenwick with 19 carries for 82 yards, while Greg Killingsworth added 52 yards on 12 carries.
The Friars return 13 starters next season, including Killingsworth, defensive end Jack Ditmer, linebacker Austin Brown, offensive tackle Nate Welch, defensive tackle Robert Fulton and tightend Alex Furth.
Fenwick has a bye week before entering the Prep Bowl playoffs where DiCanio said he will use the extended season to evaluate the younger players.
The Friars finished the season runner-up in the Chicago Catholic League’s White Division after a loss to De La Salle two weeks ago.
