Aug. 27--Sam Brodner happily aided the Glenbard West offensive line in packing on a few pounds for this season.
Last season, thanks to his offensive line bulldozing open holes, Brodner rushed for nearly 2,000 yards.
Brodner is now paying his O-line back -- in the form of home-cooked meals and sandwiches.
"The offensive line is bigger, definitely in size this year," Brodner said. "They've been eating a lot. I've been feeding a few of them at lunch, giving them an extra sandwich to put on a few more pounds.
"My mom cooks for them some nights. She's cooks Italian. They love it. I also try and throw a sandwich at Chris Minnec every day at lunch."
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Minnec, a right tackle, is nearly 20 pounds heavier than last season. He's thankful for any help Brodner contributed to his newfound bulk.
"We help Sam, he helps us," Minnec said. "We have gone to his house a couple of times and had some food. His mom's spaghetti and meatballs are pretty good."
By Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet's estimation, the offensive line is averaging nearly 240 pounds per man, a significant increase from past years.
Always considered a smash-mouth, run-oriented team during Hetlet's tenure, the Hilltoppers return three offensive line starters: Minnec, Darien Kaufmann and Tyler Kraus. Tight end Adam Zybko will also be an essential part of the offense.
"It's a big group in general that we have," Hetlet said. "On both sides of the ball, this is the biggest group we've maybe ever had. Every guy that started last season is big now. This is a year we have six or seven really athletic kids that can play offensive line for us. I guess it's a lot from that standpoint."
An imposing defensive line has been one of Glenbard West's defining traits. The 2015 unit is no exception, though the defense returns only four starters from last season's 12-1 squad that lost to eventual Class 8A champion Stevenson in a semifinal.
"We've talked as coaches that we don't remember the pads popping like this," Hetlet said. "We're always a pretty physical team, but there's a deeper sound hitting in practice this year with these big kids. I like that we have big athletic kids on both sides of the ball."
Senior defensive tackle Joe DeGrace packed on about 30 pounds and is healthy after missing the tail end of his junior season with a torn labrum. Defensive tackle Evan McTaggart and emerging junior end Dionte Moorehead, combined with linebacker Ross Andreasik and Nico Gagliano, form a hungry defense that must help ease the adjustment for senior Brian Cochrane, whom Hetlet calls 'the prototypical Glenbard West quarterback"
Any talk of Glenbard West repeating as West Suburban Silver champions or winning its first state title since 2012 begins with Brodner. The Vanderbilt recruit rushed for 1,950 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. He added about 10 pounds to his 6-foot, 215-pound frame, and gained headlines for clocking a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash while recording a 39.6-inch vertical at the Nike Opening Regional in May at Addison Trail.
"Sam is bigger and stronger this season," Hetlet said. "He had some unreal numbers from some of the camps this summer.
In addition to Brodner, the Hilltoppers' backfield includes high-upside third-year varsity running back Isaiah Skinner.
"I'm excited to see how Sam does, but I think he overshadowed Isaiah last season," Hetlet said. "He had huge plays last year carrying the ball. Obviously, Sam stole the show, but Isaiah could start for anybody in our league. He's a very special player and very unselfish."
Narang is a freelance reporter.
No. 3 Glenbard West Hilltoppers
2014: 12-1 (6-0 in West Suburban Silver), lost to Stevenson 7-3 in Class 8A semifinal.
Coach: Chad Hetlet (88-13 in 9th year at Glenbard West).
Playoff history: 25 appearances, 2 state titles.
He's back: Sam Brodner, Sr., 6-0, 215, RB (253 carries, 1,950 yards, 27 TDs); Ross Andreasik, Sr., 6-2, 210, LB; Nico Gagliano, Sr., 5-11, 190, LB; Joe DeGrace, Sr., 6-0, 235, DL; Evan McTaggart, Sr., 6-1, 240, DL, Adam Zybko, Sr., 6-4, 210, TE.
He's new: Dionte Moorehead, Jr., 6-3, 215, DL.
Big name: Brodner is an athletic specimen and workhorse, capable of running over or past defenders.
Big game: Oct. 9 at Oak Park-River Forest. Key conference road matchup late in the season.
Big question: How will a rebuilt secondary respond against a tough early-season schedule?
Breakdown: The Hilltoppers are big along the offensive and defensive lines, feature two playmakers at running back in Brodner and Isaiah Skinner, plus a talented pair of linebackers in Gagliano and Andreasik. In simple terms, the Hilltoppers are loaded.
Fast fact: Hetlet is two wins shy of 90 for his career at Glenbard West. The Hilltoppers have never had a losing season in his eight seasons.
