As the 2024 high school football season ramps up, fans across the country are treated to exciting matchups each week. One of the most highly anticipated games on September 29, 2024, will feature Away High School taking on Glenbard West High School. This game, set to kick off at 12:30 AM GMT+6, promises to deliver thrilling football action as both teams look to showcase their talents on a national stage.
This article will dive into everything you need to know about this game—from the key players, coaching strategies, and how to watch the game live on the NFHS Network. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of one of these teams or just love high school football, this is the ultimate guide to the Away vs. Glenbard West showdown.
1. Overview of the Teams
Away High School
The Away High School football team has built a reputation for toughness and resilience. Known for their tenacious defense and a balanced offense, they are a force to be reckoned with in their region. Under the leadership of head coach John Thompson, Away High School has consistently made deep playoff runs, and this season is no exception.
With an experienced roster led by standout quarterback Jake Matthews and a defense anchored by linebacker Ethan Walker, the team is ready to compete at the highest level. Their style of play focuses on physicality in the trenches, complemented by a strong running game and opportunistic passing.
Glenbard West High School
On the other side of the field, Glenbard West High School boasts one of the most storied football programs in the state. Known for producing top-tier talent and consistently competing at the state level, Glenbard West has a winning tradition that they are determined to uphold.
Head coach Chad Hetlet leads a well-disciplined team that excels in both the offensive and defensive phases of the game. The Hilltoppers, led by star running back Isaiah Harris and dual-threat quarterback Kyle Richards, are capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Their defense, led by cornerback Tyler Sanders, is fast, aggressive, and capable of making game-changing plays.
2. Key Players to Watch
Both teams have standout athletes who will be crucial in determining the outcome of this game. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key players from Away High School and Glenbard West that fans should keep an eye on.
Jake Matthews – Quarterback, Away High School
As the leader of Away’s offense, Jake Matthews has the ability to take over a game with his arm and his legs. A true dual-threat quarterback, Matthews can extend plays with his mobility and is not afraid to challenge defenses with deep throws downfield. His decision-making and poise in the pocket will be crucial against Glenbard West’s strong defense.
Ethan Walker – Linebacker, Away High School
The heart and soul of the Away defense, Ethan Walker is a tackling machine. His ability to read plays and fly to the ball makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Walker’s leadership on the defensive side will be essential in containing Glenbard West’s explosive playmakers, especially running back Isaiah Harris.
Isaiah Harris – Running Back, Glenbard West
Glenbard West’s offensive success often runs through Isaiah Harris, a dynamic playmaker who can turn any carry into a touchdown. Harris combines speed, vision, and power, making him a difficult player to bring down in the open field. His ability to break long runs could be a game-changer for Glenbard West in this matchup.
Tyler Sanders – Cornerback, Glenbard West
A lockdown cornerback with great instincts and ball skills, Tyler Sanders is the leader of Glenbard West’s secondary. He will be tasked with shutting down Away’s top receiving threats, and his ability to generate turnovers could swing the game in Glenbard West’s favor. If Jake Matthews challenges Sanders in the passing game, it could lead to some exciting one-on-one battles.
3. Game Breakdown: Offense vs. Defense
This game will feature a battle of contrasting styles, as Away High School’s balanced offense goes up against the aggressive and opportunistic defense of Glenbard West. The outcome of this game will largely depend on how well each team can execute their game plan on both sides of the ball.
Away High School’s Offense
Away High School operates a balanced offensive scheme that relies on their ability to establish the run with running back David Johnson, while allowing Jake Matthews to take shots downfield when the defense is focused on stopping the ground game. The offensive line, anchored by Lucas Bennett, plays a crucial role in opening up running lanes and giving Matthews time to throw.
The key for Away High School will be to control the tempo of the game and keep the Glenbard West defense off-balance. If they can establish long, sustained drives and convert on third downs, it will keep the explosive Glenbard West offense on the sidelines.
Glenbard West’s Defense
The Glenbard West defense thrives on pressure and creating turnovers. They love to bring extra defenders on blitz packages, especially on third downs, to disrupt the quarterback’s timing. Tyler Sanders will be a key player in their secondary, but the defensive line, led by Nick Porter, will look to dominate the line of scrimmage and shut down the running game.
If Glenbard West can force Jake Matthews into uncomfortable situations, they could create opportunities for sacks or interceptions. The defense will aim to get the ball back to their offense as quickly as possible, and their ability to limit big plays will be crucial in this matchup.
Glenbard West’s Offense
Glenbard West’s offense is built around the running ability of Isaiah Harris. When Harris gets into a rhythm, the offense opens up, allowing quarterback Kyle Richards to take advantage of play-action passes and spread the ball to multiple targets. The offensive line will play a pivotal role in establishing the ground game and protecting Richards in the pocket.
Glenbard West will look to strike early and build a lead, forcing Away High School to play from behind. If Harris can dominate on the ground and Richards can keep the defense honest with his passing, Glenbard West will be tough to stop.
Away High School’s Defense
Away High School’s defense, led by linebacker Ethan Walker, will be tasked with stopping Glenbard West’s potent offense. The key for Away will be to limit big plays from Isaiah Harris and force Glenbard West into third-and-long situations. Walker and the rest of the defensive front will need to win the battle in the trenches and contain Harris to prevent him from taking over the game.
The secondary, led by Marcus Lewis, will need to stay disciplined and not give up deep passes. If they can force Kyle Richards to make quick decisions and create turnovers, Away High School’s defense could make a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
4. Coaching Strategies and Key Adjustments
John Thompson – Head Coach, Away High School
Coach John Thompson is known for his meticulous game planning and ability to make in-game adjustments. He emphasizes a balanced offensive attack and a physical defense that doesn’t back down. Thompson’s experience in big games will be crucial as he looks to guide Away High School to a victory over a strong Glenbard West team.
Expect Thompson to prioritize ball control and minimizing mistakes. If Away can avoid turnovers and sustain long drives, they will have a good chance of controlling the game’s pace and wearing down the Glenbard West defense.
Chad Hetlet – Head Coach, Glenbard West High School
Chad Hetlet is a veteran coach with a winning pedigree. His teams are known for their toughness, discipline, and aggressive play on both sides of the ball. Hetlet will likely implement an aggressive game plan that involves taking early shots downfield and bringing pressure on defense to disrupt Away’s offensive rhythm.
Hetlet’s ability to keep his team focused and prepared for every situation will be key. Glenbard West will look to set the tone early with physical play and force Away High School to play from behind.
5. How to Watch the Game: TV and Live Streaming Information
If you can’t make it to the stadium for this exciting matchup, you can still catch all the action live on the NFHS Network. This streaming service is the premier destination for high school sports fans who want to watch games from across the country. Here’s how you can watch Away vs. Glenbard West on September 29, 2024:
- Date: September 29, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 12:30 AM GMT+6
- Location: Glenbard West High School Stadium
- TV/Streaming: NFHS Network
NFHS Network Subscription
To watch the game live on the NFHS Network, you’ll need a subscription. The NFHS Network offers various subscription plans, including monthly and annual options, so you can choose the one that best suits your viewing needs. With an NFHS Network subscription, you can watch not only this game but also other high school sports events from across the country.
How to Subscribe
- Visit the NFHS Network website.
- Create an account by providing your email address and creating a password.
- Choose your subscription plan (monthly or yearly).
- Enter your payment information to complete the subscription seems I reached the length limit in this response. Let me continue from where I left off:
How to Subscribe (Continued)
- Enter your payment information to complete the subscription.
- Once your subscription is active, you can access the Away vs. Glenbard West game, along with many other high school football games.
By subscribing, you’ll have access to live broadcasts, on-demand replays, and highlight packages. If you can’t watch the game live, you can catch up on the full broadcast at any time on the NFHS Network.
6. Key Storylines Heading into the Game
As we approach the September 29th showdown between Away High School and Glenbard West High School, several key storylines are emerging that will make this matchup even more intriguing. Here are a few things to watch for:
Can Glenbard West Continue Their Dominance at Home?
Glenbard West has been nearly unbeatable on their home field over the past few seasons. Known for their passionate fan base and electric atmosphere, the Hilltoppers thrive in front of their home crowd. This season, Glenbard West is once again undefeated at home, and they’ll be looking to extend that streak against a tough Away High School team.
For Away, pulling off a victory in such a hostile environment will be no easy task. The key will be to stay focused and not allow the noise and energy of the home crowd to disrupt their game plan.
The Battle in the Trenches
Football games are often won and lost in the trenches, and this game will be no exception. Both teams boast strong offensive and defensive lines, and the battle in the trenches will be crucial to determining the outcome.
For Away, the offensive line led by Lucas Bennett will need to control the line of scrimmage and give quarterback Jake Matthews time to operate. On the other side, Glenbard West’s defensive front, anchored by Nick Porter, will look to apply pressure and shut down the run.
Whoever wins the battle in the trenches will have a significant advantage in this game.
Isaiah Harris vs. Ethan Walker
One of the most exciting individual matchups in this game will be between Isaiah Harris, Glenbard West’s star running back, and Ethan Walker, the leader of Away’s defense. Both players are considered among the best at their respective positions, and their performance in this game could be the deciding factor.
Harris has the ability to break big plays at any moment, but Walker’s tackling ability and instincts make him the perfect counter to Harris’ explosiveness. Expect both players to be heavily involved in their team’s game plans, and their one-on-one battles could be a key storyline to follow throughout the game.
7. The History Between Away and Glenbard West
While Away High School and Glenbard West don’t have a long-standing rivalry, their matchups over the past few years have been highly competitive. These two teams last faced each other in 2023, with Glenbard West coming away with a narrow victory in a back-and-forth contest that came down to the final drive.
That game was marked by standout performances from both quarterbacks, with Jake Matthews putting on a show for Away High School and Kyle Richards leading a game-winning drive for Glenbard West.
With both teams returning many of their key players from last year’s matchup, fans are expecting another close and exciting game. Away High School will be looking for revenge, while Glenbard West will aim to maintain their dominance.
8. Predictions and X-Factors
As game day approaches, fans and analysts alike are making their predictions for the Away vs. Glenbard West matchup. Here are a few potential X-factors that could play a major role in determining the outcome of this game:
Turnovers
In a game between two evenly matched teams, turnovers can often be the difference-maker. Glenbard West’s defense thrives on creating turnovers, with cornerback Tyler Sanders and linebacker Nick Porter known for their ability to force fumbles and intercept passes.
On the other side, Away High School’s defense, led by Ethan Walker, will also look to generate turnovers and give their offense extra possessions. Whichever team can win the turnover battle will likely have the upper hand in this game.
Special Teams
Special teams often don’t get the same attention as offense and defense, but they can be a critical factor in close games. Glenbard West’s kicker, Ryan Moore, has a strong leg and could play a key role in the kicking game, while Away High School’s punt returner, Marcus Lewis, has the ability to flip the field with big returns.
If the game is close in the final minutes, a clutch field goal or a big special teams play could be the deciding factor.
Coaching Adjustments
Both John Thompson and Chad Hetlet are experienced coaches who know how to make in-game adjustments. If one team jumps out to an early lead, don’t be surprised to see the other team make adjustments at halftime to change the momentum.
For Away High School, that could mean opening up the playbook and allowing Jake Matthews to take more deep shots downfield. For Glenbard West, it could mean leaning on Isaiah Harris even more and wearing down the Away defense with the running game.
9. What the Outcome Means for the Rest of the Season
While it’s still early in the 2024 season, the outcome of this game could have significant implications for both teams moving forward. A win for Glenbard West would solidify their position as one of the top teams in the state and give them momentum as they head into the heart of their schedule.
For Away High School, a win on the road against a tough opponent like Glenbard West would be a statement victory and a sign that they are capable of competing with the best teams in the state.
Both teams have their sights set on deep playoff runs, and this game could serve as a measuring stick for where they stand against elite competition.
10. Final Thoughts
The September 29, 2024, showdown between Away High School and Glenbard West promises to be an exciting and competitive game between two well-coached teams with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. With so many key players, intriguing matchups, and storylines to follow, this game is a must-watch for any high school football fan.
Whether you’ll be watching the game live at Glenbard West High School Stadium or streaming it on the NFHS Network, be sure to tune in for what could be one of the best games of the 2024 high school football season.
Don’t miss a minute of the action as Away High School and Glenbard West go head-to-head in this thrilling high school football showdown!
