Glenwood Titans Overcome Joliet Catholic in 17-12 Playoff Clash

Glenwood Titans secured a hard-fought victory over Joliet Catholic with a score of 17-12 in the Class 6A playoff game held on October 28, 2023. The Titans, who finished the regular season with a perfect record of 10-0, maintained control throughout the contest but faced a determined challenge from Joliet Catholic until the final moments. This win propels Glenwood into the next round, where they will host East St. Louis, who advanced with a commanding 63-7 victory over Plainfield East.

The game began with both teams struggling to gain momentum, resulting in a series of punts. However, Glenwood’s fortunes changed when they forced a turnover from Joliet Catholic. Quarterback Colten Knoedler quickly capitalized on the opportunity, completing two passes that set up a 42-yard touchdown reception by Dylan Huff. This early score established Glenwood’s lead, which they would not relinquish.

As the second quarter unfolded, Glenwood continued to assert their dominance. A combination of strong running plays from Grady Mueller and Knoedler set the stage for another touchdown. Knoedler connected with Henry Rose, who powered through two defenders for an 18-yard score, extending Glenwood’s lead. Despite the Titans’ offensive prowess, Joliet Catholic struggled to find their rhythm. The Hilltoppers, finishing the season with a record of 4-6, faced significant challenges, particularly with their ground game being stifled by a relentless Glenwood defensive line.

Glenwood’s head coach, David Hay, praised his team’s defensive efforts, highlighting the experience and skill of his senior players. “We had to lean on them, and I thought they played very well,” he noted. “That’s the best 4-6 team I’ve ever seen, that’s for sure.”

Despite their early struggles, Joliet Catholic found new life in the third quarter. An interception by Derrick Pomatto revived their offense, leading to a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Lucas Simulick to Michael Brown, narrowing the score to 14-6. The Hilltoppers appeared to regain momentum after forcing a three-and-out on Glenwood’s next possession, but an interception by Larry Wills thwarted their drive.

As the fourth quarter began, Glenwood extended their lead to 17-6 with a 32-yard field goal from Tristan Schwindt. Yet, Joliet Catholic was not done. They managed to establish their running game, which set up another touchdown pass from Simulick, this time a 31-yard connection to Jayden Armstrong. The Hilltoppers attempted a two-point conversion but fell short, leaving the score at 17-12 with just under six minutes remaining.

With renewed hope, Joliet Catholic aimed to regain possession and pull off a last-minute victory. However, Glenwood’s offense, led by Mueller and Knoedler, maintained control of the ball and effectively ran down the clock, sealing their victory as they entered victory formation inside the Hilltopper 10-yard line.

After the game, Joliet Catholic’s coach, Jake Jaworski, reflected on the season and the game, stating, “We battled a ton of adversity early on in the year, and kind of finally had gotten our footing a little bit. I knew our guys would compete, and that’s a really good football team over there.”

As Glenwood prepares to face East St. Louis next weekend, they look to build on their strong performance while Joliet Catholic will regroup and reflect on a season that ended earlier than they had hoped.