Starts Up Front Game of the Week: Downers Grove North Wins the Battle Up Front, Defeats Glenbard West 24–14
Final: Downers Grove North 24, Glenbard West 14
Friday, September 11, 2026 | Downers Grove, Illinois
Downers Grove North demonstrated why football games are decided in the trenches, overcoming an early 14–3 deficit to defeat Glenbard West 24–14 in a West Suburban Silver matchup.
The No. 15 Hilltoppers scored twice during the opening 13 minutes, but the No. 17 Trojans controlled the remainder of the contest. Downers Grove North scored the game’s final 21 points while its defense held Glenbard West scoreless over the final three quarters. The victory moved the Trojans to 4–0 overall and 2–0 in conference play, while Glenbard West fell to 2–2 and 1–1.
Score by Quarter
| Team | First | Second | Third | Fourth | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenbard West | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Downers Grove North | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
Downers Grove North: A Comeback Built in the Trenches
The Downers Grove North offensive line remained patient after the early deficit and helped the Trojans establish a physical, productive ground attack.
The team’s two leading rushers combined for:
- 31 carries
- 200 rushing yards
- 6.45 yards per carry
- One 59-yard fourth-quarter touchdown
The protection unit also supported two quarterbacks who combined to complete 12 of 25 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Although the offense faced adversity and two turnovers, the line continued creating opportunities throughout the second half.
The defensive front delivered the game’s most important turnaround. After Glenbard West produced touchdown runs of 77 and 76 yards during the opening 13 minutes, Downers Grove North held the Hilltoppers scoreless for the remainder of the night.
That meant approximately 35 consecutive minutes without allowing a point. The Trojans’ defense also recorded one interception while protecting the lead through the fourth quarter.
Downers Grove North Trench Roster
The following are the offensive and defensive linemen who can be identified through the current Hudl roster, preseason personnel reports and recruiting profiles. Downers Grove North’s public roster contains several players without listed positions, so this represents every lineman whose trench position could be independently confirmed.
Offensive Line
| Player | No. | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Engstler | 72 | OT/OL | 6’5” | 245 | 2027 |
| Ryan Larson | Not listed | OL/G | 6’1” | 250 | 2028 |
| Reid Adelman | 68 | C/T | 6’2” | 310 | 2028 |
| Kasch Kuzelis | Not listed | OT | 6’4” | 220 | 2028 |
This group entered the season as the foundation of Downers Grove North’s rushing attack. Engstler supplies length and experience on the edge, while Larson provides interior power. Adelman anchors the middle and also possesses two-way versatility. Kuzelis gives the unit another long-framed tackle capable of protecting the perimeter.
The comeback against Glenbard West reflected the group’s discipline. Downers Grove North did not abandon its physical identity after falling behind. Instead, the Trojans continued leaning on their offensive front until the running game began producing decisive second-half opportunities.
Defensive Line
| Player | No. | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Engstler | 72 | OL/DL | 6’5” | 245 | 2027 |
| Reid Adelman | 68 | DT | 6’2” | 310 | 2028 |
| Jacob Vroman | 8 | DE | 6’4” | 215 | 2027 |
| Declan Davies | 7 | DE | 6’5” | 215 | 2028 |
| Jordan Young | 93 | DE | 6’4” | 200 | 2028 |
Vroman entered the season after producing 45 tackles and five sacks during his previous campaign. Engstler and Adelman offer size and two-way experience inside, while Davies and Young bring length to the defensive edge.
The unit’s response after the opening 13 minutes was the defining defensive development of the game. Glenbard West’s early explosive plays could have changed the entire night, but the Trojans’ front settled down, maintained gap integrity and helped produce three consecutive scoreless quarters.
Glenbard West: Early Success, Difficult Second Half
Glenbard West’s offensive line helped create two explosive rushing touchdowns during the opening portion of the game. The Hilltoppers’ two leading runners combined for:
- 12 carries
- 184 rushing yards
- 15.3 yards per carry
- Touchdown runs of 77 and 76 yards
The passing offense completed 15 of 20 attempts for 157 yards, demonstrating that the Hilltoppers’ protection unit created opportunities through both phases of the offense.
However, Downers Grove North prevented Glenbard West from scoring after the early 14–3 advantage. The Hilltoppers’ offensive front now has an important evaluation point: converting early explosive success into sustained drives against a defense that adjusts and increases its physical pressure.
Glenbard West’s defensive front competed despite the program entering the game with youth, inexperience and several defensive injuries. The Hilltoppers forced two interceptions and held Downers Grove North to 10 first-half points before the Trojans broke through for one touchdown in each of the final two quarters.
Glenbard West Trench Roster
Glenbard West provides a complete 2026 varsity roster with positions and measurements. Two-way linemen appear in both appropriate groups.
Offensive Line
| Player | No. | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phin Codinha | 10 | OL/DL | 6’0” | 240 |
| Sam Freeman | 51 | OL | 6’0” | 215 |
| Leo Apostolou | 52 | OL | 6’4” | 245 |
| Spencer Freeman | 53 | OL | 6’0” | 215 |
| Ike Martin | 54 | OL | 6’3” | 230 |
| Sebastian Stein | 62 | OL | 5’9” | 210 |
| Henry Wharton | 65 | OL | 6’0” | 230 |
| Josiah Wallace | 72 | OL | 6’8” | 300 |
| Matthew Kwiatkowski | 73 | OL | 5’10” | 185 |
| Ryder Stroup | 77 | OL/DL | 6’3” | 250 |
Wallace immediately stands out as a developmental prospect because of his exceptional 6-foot-8, 300-pound frame. Apostolou, Martin and Stroup also provide the length and mass needed to play across the front, while Codinha, the Freeman brothers, Stein, Wharton and Kwiatkowski give the unit valuable depth.
The group demonstrated its ceiling by creating two early explosive rushing lanes and protecting an efficient passing performance. Its next step is sustaining that production after the opposing defense makes adjustments.
Defensive Line
| Player | No. | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brady Johnson | 8 | DL | 6’3” | 230 |
| Phin Codinha | 10 | OL/DL | 6’0” | 240 |
| Paul Nkoyoyo | 23 | DL | 5’8” | 190 |
| Devin White | 50 | DL | 6’0” | 240 |
| Jmarius Bullocks | 55 | DL | 6’0” | 210 |
| Jonas Grant | 67 | DL | 6’1” | 230 |
| Felix Hammer | 76 | DL | 6’0” | 245 |
| Ryder Stroup | 77 | OL/DL | 6’3” | 250 |
| Jaden McNaught | 79 | DL | 6’1” | 430* |
| Jack Donahue | 90 | DL | 6’2” | 190 |
| Matthew Schlieben | 99 | DL | 6’4” | 215 |
The Hilltoppers possess significant variety across their defensive front. Codinha, White, Grant, Hammer and Stroup provide size through the interior, while Johnson, Bullocks, Donahue and Schlieben offer different body types for multiple alignments.
Glenbard West’s front contributed to two takeaways and kept the game within one possession until the fourth quarter. The final score does not erase the competitiveness shown by a young and injury-affected defensive unit.
*McNaught’s weight is reproduced exactly as published by the team and should be confirmed before use in recruiting materials.
Starts Up Front Game Assessment
Downers Grove North Offensive Line
Grade: Winning performance
The Trojans’ front powered a 200-yard performance from the team’s two leading rushers, supported two quarterbacks and helped produce 21 unanswered points. Its composure after the early deficit was one of the game’s decisive factors.
Downers Grove North Defensive Line
Grade: Game-changing response
After surrendering two early explosive runs, the front helped shut out Glenbard West for the remainder of the contest. The adjustment, discipline and physical response changed the game.
Glenbard West Offensive Line
Grade: Explosive start with unfinished drives
The Hilltoppers generated two long rushing touchdowns and protected a 75-percent passing performance. Sustaining drives after the opening quarter remains the primary area for improvement.
Glenbard West Defensive Line
Grade: Competitive under difficult circumstances
The defense produced two takeaways and limited Downers Grove North to 10 first-half points. The unit competed hard before the Trojans’ rushing attack broke through late.
Final Word
Downers Grove North’s 24–14 victory was not simply a comeback. It was an example of a team trusting its foundation.
The offensive line continued opening rushing lanes despite an early deficit. The defensive line responded after two explosive plays and helped keep Glenbard West off the scoreboard for the final three quarters. Glenbard West’s linemen also showed legitimate strength, creating early explosive production and forcing two turnovers on defense.
The difference was sustained execution. Downers Grove North controlled the second half, won the closing minutes and finished the job up front.
Control the trenches. Control the game.
Don’t be shocked—be a shocker.
Remember, it all Starts Up Front. Let’s go!
Statistical Verification Note
Public reporting did not provide individual pancake-block totals, pressures, tackles for loss or sacks for the linemen in this game. Those figures have not been estimated or invented. All statistics included above are verified team or position-group production from the published game report and box score.If helpful, I can set up “Track Illinois lineman games weekly” so future Game of the Week candidates and results are easier to identify.Track Illinois lineman games weekly
