The first three are down and now its Morris time! Last Saturday, the Kaneland Knights dismantled their third opponent in a row, by blasting Glenbard South 34 to 0.
It was just like another day at the office for the Knights, who took the bus to Glen Ellyn and in a workman's like manner performed their job, jumped on the bus and returned home. It was just a job they had to do to get to heart of their schedule.
With the win Kaneland had completed one third of the regular season. "We like to divide our season into thirds", comments Coach Joe Thorgesen.
Be that the case, the coach and teacher has to give his Knights an "A" for the first segment of the season, as they outscored their opponents 117-14!
However, the toughest part of schedule is about to begin with the middle third of the season. It all starts with Morris Friday night, followed by a trip travel to Yorkville to partake in the Foxes Homecoming next week, and ending with the Knights playing host to Ridgewood, which has compiled an impressive 3-0 record.
But last week it was Glenbard South, the weather was nice, the field was storybook perfect, but real game lasted only three minutes.
For the first third of the game, the Kaneland offense sputtered and if wasn't for solid dose of Kaneland "D" and 75 yard P.J. Fleck punt return for a touchdown, Kaneland could have had a disastrous start.
But by the middle of the second quarter things heated up. Trailing 7-0 the Raiders had managed to push the ball down to the Kaneland 7 yard line. That's when Fleck leaping in the air picked off a Raider pass at the goal line and returned it to Kaneland 23.
Fleck had just changed the momentum of the game and the Kaneland Pyrotechnics team went to work. Kyle Schrader started the show by splitting the tackles and exploding 77 yards to give Kaneland it's second TD of day.
But the fireworks were just beginning. Three plays later Glenbard South had a 3rd and 14, at the 14, trailing by 14 when - Fumble. A mad scramble for the ball and thanks to Senior Brad Thill, Kaneland was back on the offense again.
Next play, Ryan West pops through from the 11, and throws his own little end zone party. Matt Gladd should have been invited, for his kick went wide on the extra point attempt, despite having made his last 6 in a row and Kaneland lead 20-0.
Then on the ensuing kickoff - BANG - Kurt Long recovers another Raider fumble and Kaneland was back in Business again. Three plays later Eric Delaney hits Fleck from 22 yards out for the Grand Finale and Kaneland's up 27-zip.
That folks, is how explosive Kaneland is. In just three minutes Glenbard South went from being just 7 yards away from tying the game to trailing 27-0.
From that point on, it was siesta time for both teams. The lone exception being a nifty 42 yard touchdown scamper by Delaney who caught the Raider defense napping.
"I'm happy that we are 3-0, but we big-played Glenbard South. We have to cut down on some of our mental mistakes", summarized coach Thorgesen.
Kyle Schrader finished the day with 117 yards in just 5 carries and had about a gazillion tackles. Fleck had 2 touchdowns, a key interception, a 77 yard punt return, and 74 yards in 3 catches. Kaneland defense held Glenbard South to just 140 total yards, while Kaneland had compiled 340.
With the win Kaneland moved up one position in the Class 4A AP rankings to 9th in the state.
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