CS8 stunner: U-High beats Glenwood for first time since joining league

This story will be updated.

NORMAL — If last year’s win over Decatur MacArthur turned the page for the Normal U-High football team , then Friday’s stunning victory over Chatham Glenwood started a new chapter.

U-High quarterback Alek Weiland threw five touchdowns and finished with 316 yards passing as the Pioneers beat Glenwood 33-13 in a Central State Eight Conference east division game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium .

When Weiland found AJ Holden for a 1-yard touchdown with 1 minute, 44 seconds left in the first half, it gave U-High a 26-0 lead.

The Titans (4-2 overall, 3-1 CS8 east) found their offensive groove long enough to cut the deficit in half, when Brady Dwyer scored a 1-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds left in the second quarter and junior quarterback Colten Knoedler found Jonathan Helm for a 21-yard score on the Titans’ first possession of the second half.

Glenwood’s defense held the Pioneers (4-2, 3-1 CS8 east) scoreless for almost the entirety of the second half but couldn’t get any closer. U-High cemented the win when Weiland and Holden connected on an 18-yard strike with 2:40 to play.

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Heading into Friday’s game, Glenwood was 7-0 against U-High since the Pioneers entered the CS8 in 2017. That first season, Glenwood pulled out a 37-36 overtime win, but since then, the Pioneers haven’t been within a mile of the Titans with Glenwood holding a 326-106 scoring advantage in the series.

Glenwood fans were heard starting to get restless after the Pioneers went up 12-0 on Weiland’s second TD throw to Cade Cunningham, this one a 19-yard pass after the two connected on a 34-yard score to start the game.

Twice in a row, Glenwood had to punt out of its own end zone in the second quarter. The first time, U-High couldn’t convert a fourth down from the Glenwood 3. Four plays later, the Titans had a fourth and 11 from their own 2. After a 25-yard punt, Weiland found Carson Stevens for his third TD throw, and U-High found itself up 19-0.

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Glenwood committed a holding penalty on first and 10 from its own 9-yard line, then had to again punt from its own 3. The Titans’ defense committed a pass interference on first and 10 from the Glenwood 20, and three plays later, Holden and Weiland put the Pioneers up 26-0.

One week ago, U-High lost 38-30 to Rochester. Brody Walworth said it was important to protect against the emotional rollercoaster football can be after tough losses. He added that it will be important to do the same thing after this momentous win.

Knoedler finished 22-for-39 for 236 yards and two interceptions. He found six different receivers, including Gavin Simmons, who caught 11 passes for 131 yards.

U-High forced Glenwood into a one-dimensional team on Friday. The Titans rushed 16 times for just 42 yards and one touchdown. Glenwood also committed seven penalties for 57 yards, while U-High was whistled four times for 30 yards.

Contact Ryan Mahan: 788-1546, ryan.mahan@sj-r.com , Twitter.com/RyanMahanSJR.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: CS8 stunner: U-High beats Glenwood for first time since joining league