Giants jump all over Spartans in inaugural CSL Central showdown

A disappointing start to the season for Highland Park football turned around in a big way Friday night.

Behind a prolific return from senior quarterback Gustav Crane, the Giants walloped league opponent Glenbrook North 42-7 on Friday, Sept. 5, at Wolters Field in Highland Park.

Crane finished 17-of-20 passing for 237 yards and three touchdown throws, while chipping in a 30-yard rush.

Peter Dimtriou (3 catches, 95 yards) caught two of those scores — one of 25 yards and the other 42. Owen Loftus added a 4-yard touchdown reception.

Zion Wood and John Boman (8 rushes, 64 yards) chipped in a scoring run apiece, and Max Stevens (5 catches, 58 yards) recovered his own team’s fumble in the end zone for another score.

Three of Highland Park’s touchdowns came in the first quarter as the Giants took a commanding early lead on their home field.

The Spartans lone score didn’t come until late in the third quarter, making the score 42-7.

Highland Park also got interceptions from Johnny Moore and Mason Auslander. Boman added two tackles for loss.

The contest marked the inaugural interdivision matchup for the Central Suburban League Central, a newly created, four-team division. In the other CSL Central matchup Friday, Deerfield took down Niles West 41-7.

The Giants move to 1-2 in the season following two nonconference losses to start their campaign, and they will try to even up their record with a road contest at Maine East at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Highland Park then has back-to-back CSL crossover matchups against Glenbrook South (Sept. 18) and Evanston (Sept. 25), respectively.

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