Glenbard West Vs. L-W East: Hilltoppers Host Playoffs' 2nd-Round

FRANKFORT, IL — Lincoln-Way East and Glenbard West have a playoff history. It's one the Griffins would like to keep in the past.

In 2010, the Hilltoppers took down L-W East in a second-round shootout in the 2010 IHSA playoffs. Then came the crushing 2012 title game when Glenbard West became 7A champions by defeating the Griffins, 10-8.

That was the last meeting between the teams, and the tables have turned now that the schools have moved up to Class 8A. The Griffins are defending champs with a 24-game winning streak, and the Hilltoppers have lost some of the dominance they had in the former conference. Especially compared to a Lincoln-Way East team that has scored 463 this season and held other opponents to just 56.

RELATED: L-W East Beats St. Charles East, 49-0: Watch Playoff HighlightsL-W East Beats St. Charles East, 49-0: Watch Playoff Highlights

But Glenbard West is no slouch of a team. The team has a high-powered offense that has scored 316 points this season. And the defense has been stout, giving up more than 14 points in only three games this season —35 in a loss to Maine South and 24 and 20 in wins against York and Bartlett, respectively.

If Glenbard West wants to return as king of the hill, it will need to knock powerhouse L-W East off that throne. The Griffins, however, are aiming to have a long rein.

Lincoln-Way East (10-0) vs. Glenbard West (8-2): Second Round of IHSA Playoffs

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3

Where: Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn

Weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. South southeast wind gusts from 5 to 10 mph.

Streaming: NFHS will live stream the game, but a subscription is needed to view it.

What's at Stake: Winner advances to the quarterfinals of the IHSA Class 8A playoffs.

Rankings and Seedings: L-W East is ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 54 in the country. The Griffins are seeded No. 2 in the Class 8A playoff bracket, behind only Brother Rice. Glenbard West is ranked No. 41 in the state and No. 1,059 in the country. The Hilltoppers a seeded at No. 16.

Previous 2018 Playoff Games: Glenbard West overpowered Bartlett, 49-20, but the score isn't indicative just how in control the Glen Ellyn school was. The Hilltoppers held the Hawks to six points through much of the game. Senior running back Tyquan Cox led the team, rushing for 191 on only 19 carries.

Lincoln-Way East had their own rout in the first round of the playoffs, beating St. Charles East, 49-0. The defense never gave the Saints an opportunity to threaten, and Kenny Palmer and Joshua Vargas each had interceptions. On offense, wide receiver Matt Judd had two big touchdown catches, and junior star A.J. Henning had two spectacular, falling-down, end zone grabs.

L-W East Player to Watch: The Griffins have so much talent that it's probably easier to pick the players not to watch. But the straw that stirs the drink on offense for L-W East is senior quarterback Jack Blatz. He threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns in the first round of the playoffs. He also ran for a touchdown and rushed for 45 yards. What makes Blatz so dangerous are the weapons that surround him, such as wide receiver Matt Judd and all-around offensive threat A.J. Henning.

Glenbard West Player To Watch: The Hilltoppers best weapon is the running attack provided by Tyquan Cox. He's a 1,000 yard runner that gives defenses fits. He might be able to do the same to L-W East's stifling defense, which has shut out a handful of teams this season.

Images via Lincoln-Wa East High School | Glenbard High School