Stout defense and the Andrew Bonvechio-Parker Ward friendship leads Glenbrook South past Minooka in Class 8A

High school kids say some wild things after football games. The adrenaline is pumping, and for many players it is the first time they’ve spoken to a reporter. There isn’t much deep insight or big-picture commentary.

Glenbrook South is an exception. The No. 24 Titans knocked off Minooka 27-14 in the first round of the IHSA Class 8A state playoffs on Friday in Glenview and the quarterback/receiver combination of Andrew Bonvechio and Parker Ward sparkled as much off the field as they did during the game.

“There are quarterbacks and receivers that are three and four-star guys on the recruiting websites,” Ward said. “We don’t have that. But our chemistry is off the charts. That’s what leads to our success. It is our biggest strength. He knows I’m going to get that ball, and I know he’s going to put it there for me.”

Bonvechio and Ward have been best friends since third grade.

“It’s been great playing with him every year all the way to this level,” Bonvechio said. “What we are doing now feels amazing.”

Bonvechio was 13-for-21 for 196 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Ward had six catches for 122 yards, including a 37-yard TD late in the first quarter that put the Titans ahead for good at 13-7.

It’s difficult for teams to break into the upper echelons of local high school football, especially in Class 8A. The same teams win year after year. Glenbrook South (8-2) has improved significantly over the past several years and become a regular contender for the Super 25 rankings.

“One of our biggest things is leaving a legacy,” Bonvechio said. “Everything we do is to build the program’s culture year by year. What we are doing now is going to get this program to the next level in ten years.”

JJ Crisp’s one-yard TD run with 3:43 left in the first half put the Titans ahead 27-7. They didn’t score in the second half, and Minooka pulled within two scores after Tyler Minda’s one-yard TD run late in the third quarter.

Junior linebacker Rowan Lindsay grabbed a tipped interception in the fourth quarter to halt Minooka’s momentum.

“That was huge,” Lindsay said. “We were in zone coverage and I dropped back. I saw the ball get tipped. We’ve been drilled all year to hustle to the ball when it gets tipped. I just hustled down and had to make the play.”

Senior defensive end Munkh Tsong had two sacks in the fourth quarter for Glenbrook South.

“Our defense just kept responding,” Glenbrook South coach David Schoenwetter said. “The offense didn’t put them in the best situations in the second half, but they just kept fighting and they didn’t give up big plays.”

Crisp had 10 carries for 61 yards, and Jack Gonzalez contributed four carries for 52 yards and a TD for the Titans.

Minooka (6-4) lost its starting quarterback, 6-7 junior Zane Caves, to an injury in Week 3. Senior Andersen Klemme was 8-for-21 for 123 yards with one interception.

Senior running back Chase Nurczyk had 18 carries for 67 yards for Minooka.

“Our kids have fought all year,” Minooka coach Matt Harding said. “The situations our kids have been in this year, you could write a book. It’s an honor to be able to coach them.”

Glenbrook South will play at Barrington in the second round on Saturday. The Broncos beat South Elgin 72-13 on Friday.