For the first 11 games of the season, Hinsdale Central’s high-octane offense has racked up points by the dozen and put games away by halftime.
In Saturday’s Class 8A quarterfinal contest against Lincoln-Way East, though, it was the Red Devils’ defense that stepped up in a grueling 21-17 victory.
More Top Picks How We Test
Hinsdale Central hosts Lockport, a surprisingly easy winner over No. 1 Downers Grove South, in the semifinals.
“The defense won the game for us,” Hinsdale Central running back Brian Grzelakowski said. “The credit goes to them.”
Grzelakowski did more than his share, rushing for 336 yards on 30 carries, including a school-record 98-yard touchdown run. He also played nearly every down on defense, substituting for an injured Greg Harris at strong safety.
It was one yard that Grzelakowski didn’t get, however, that nearly allowed Lincoln-Way (11-1) to pull the upset. Leading 21-17 with nine minutes left in the game, Hinsdale Central (12-0) faced a fourth-and-1 from the Lincoln-Way 33. The handoff went to Grzelakowski, but he lost 2 yards and the Griffins took over.
Ten plays later, Lincoln-Way East had first-and-goal at the Hinsdale Central 8. After Todd Fitzpatrick ran for 4 yards, Hinsdale Central’s Dave Jenks tripped up Greg Gerritsen (9 carries, 50 yards) in the backfield.
A penalty on third down brought up fourth-and-goal from the 9, and Steve Pilcher sacked Lincoln-Way quarterback Dustin Powell (11-of-21, 232 yards) to end the threat.
Hinsdale Central took over with 2:56 to play and was able to run out the clock.
“A fourth down with your back to the goal line?you can’t ask for anything more than that,” Pilcher said. “We saw our whole season flash before our eyes. We just let it all out.”
Grzelakowski’s 98-yard run came after a Lincoln-Way East punt pinned the Red Devils inside their 1. On second down, Grzelakowski ran right, broke a tackle around the 10 and raced untouched to score.
Grzelakowski’s 2-yard run in the first quarter started the scoring, but Lincoln-Way responded when Powell connected with Gerritsen (5 catches, 138 yards) on a 77-yard pass play.
Hinsdale Central regained the lead when quarterback Brad Bower scored from 5 yards out with 3:02 left until halftime, but Lincoln-Way tied it with 13 seconds remaining when Don Pirkle caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Powell.