By Craig Lynch
Glenbard West High School senior defensive back William Skowronski and junior running back Samson Zander left the football field at Loyola Academy in Chicago north suburbs Wilmette disappointed and heart-broken when the Hilltoppers fell, 28-27, to the host Ramblers Saturday afternoon in a second round Class 8A playoff game. Glenbard West went through nine regular season games and one playoff game without defeat. The players’ season came to an abrupt end with Loyola’s successful comeback victory.
“I am glad I am a junior,” said Zander. “I hope we get to play this team again because they are going down,” he said.
Skowrnski, a 5-10 and 165 pound senior, registered seven solo tackles and assisted on five more, for the Hilltoppers who ended their season with a 10-1 overall record.
“This is very tough,” said Skowronski. “I am still proud of what we accomplished.”
Zander rushed seven times for 35 yards.
Glenbard West saw two double-digit leads disappear. The Ramblers, 8-3, overcame deficits of 14-0 and 27-14 to steal the victory with a touchdown with three minutes to play. Loyola will be host to Marist at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in a Class 8A quarterfinal playoff game. See the results and pairings at thevoice.us/ihsa-state-football-playoffs-quarterfinal-pairings-2.
“Perhaps if we could have made one more tackle, or not miss a block, the result would have been different,” said Zander.
“We had a great season,” said Skoworonski, “but right now this (defeat) hurts.”