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player ready...Glenbard West senior Ben Marcus spent his younger years in the shadow of older brother Nathan, now a redshirt freshman tight end at Vanderbilt.
He was the little brother, after all. But now it’s his turn.
“Our coaches like to use that to motivate me. They tell me not to live in my brother’s shadow, break out of it,” said Ben Marcus, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound linebacker and receiver. “And I’m working on doing that. But even when my brother played, he was talented, but they still asked him to block a lot and come in on defense when he was needed instead of just running routes.
“Because it wasn’t all about him.”
Selflessness has been Glenbard West’s mantra. The Hilltoppers have used that mindset to become one of the most respected and successful programs in the state with 70 wins in the last six years. They went 14-0 and won the Class 7A state title in 2012 and had a second-place finish in 2009.
Marcus and the Hilltoppers may be a little light on their usual Division I-caliber players, but they have many workman-like athletes looking to fill key positions quickly and carry on a tradition.
“He’s one of those kids who’s a little bit under the radar, but he’s highly skilled and has great intangibles and does the right things all the time, in the classroom and out,” coach Chad Hetlet said. “He’s a great representative of the program. He exudes what Glenbard West football is all about.”
Glenbard West has speed and experience on defense, where Marcus joins linebacker Ross Andreasik (6-2, 205), defensive ends Declan Ryan (6-2, 215) and Nate Orrison (6-0, 205) and defensive backs Jason Balogh (5-10, 170) and Ryan Thomas (5-8, 160).
“There’s definitely a good foundation on the defensive side,” Hetlet said. “Our defensive speed, as far as pure speed goes, is hands down the fastest we’ve had. All the way across. Now it’s just a matter of maturation.”
Glenbard West’s traditional offense has featured a grinding ground game. The Hilltoppers will still run the ball, but a potentially explosive passing game could add a new wrinkle to their attack. They won the Red Grange Summer Classic 7-on-7 tournament at Wheaton Warrenville South, with new quarterback Kyle Kramer (6-3, 200) performing flawlessly in 11 games. Senior receiver Aidan Gould (6-3, 195) was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
Hetlet will go with a platoon of running backs, including junior Sam Brodner (5-11, 210) and Donahvon Vaughn (5-11, 185). The offensive line will rely on center Jack Kane (6-1, 240), the unit’s sole returning starter.
But that’s hardly anything to worry about for Marcus and company.
“The tradition has obviously been great recently,” he said. “Because as long as you do your job, and you know your teammates will be doing theirs, that’s how you carry on the tradition of the Hitters.”
Last season: 11-2, 6-0, 1st in West Suburban Silver; lost to Lake Zurich 16-7 in 7A semifinals.
Playoff history: 24 appearances, 2 state titles.
He’s back: Ben Marcus, Sr., 6-1, 190, LB; Declan Ryan, Sr., 6-2, 215, DE (9.5 sacks); Nate Orrison, Sr., 6-0, 205, DE; Sam Brodner, Jr., 5-11, 210, RB.
He’s gone: Eric Shute (North Carolina State), Hayden Carlson (Yale), Devante Toney, Scott Andrews.
He’s new: Joe DeGrace, Sr., 6-0, 215, DL; transfer from Colorado should make an immediate impact at nose guard.
Big name: Kyle Kramer, Sr., 6-3, 200, QB. The program’s new signal-caller did not throw an interception in 11 games in helping the Hilltoppers to the Red Grange 7-on-7 title this summer.
Big game: Aug. 30 vs. Wheaton South. Week one will answer many questions.
Big question: Can the Hilltoppers establish a potent offense with only one returning starter on the offensive line?
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Breakdown: Speed. The defense is built on it. The defense should provide opponents plenty of headaches while the offense finds its identity.
Fast fact: Coach Chad Hetlet has never had a losing season in seven years, but prior to his arrival, the Hilltoppers had only one winning season since 1995.