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Football: Glenbrook North coping with tragedy
Glenbrook North's A.J. Spitz runs the ball during practice on Aug. 15 at the school in Northbrook. Spitz has been named the team's starting quarterback. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
Names and Faces
Nick Jan
Noteworthy efforts: The senior recently made a commitment to play at Ohio State, and he showed last week what kind of player the Buckeyes will be getting by shooting a 72 and 65, the latter being his lowest round in high school. Jan will be a favorite to win the state title later this season.
Ashley Hong
Noteworthy efforts: The seasoned veteran opened the season on Aug. 13 with an 82 at Fox Run to take 10th at Conant’s invitational. The senior led the Spartans to a fourth-place finish with a 352. Hong, whose younger sister Amy is a freshman on the team, played at the sectional tournament a year ago.
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:54AM
NORTHBROOK — Friday’s game in Arlington Heights against Hersey will be bittersweet for Glenbrook North.
It’s the season-opener, and that always is an exciting time for the players, coaches and fans. But it also marks the first time the Spartans will be in uniform since teammates Billy Garrity and Kyle Caraher died within three weeks of each other earlier this year. They would have been seniors this fall.
Both Garrity and Caraher were going to be counted on to contribute on the field. Caraher was a returning offensive lineman, while Garrity was slated to play wide receiver and defensive back.
Glenbrook North coach Bob Pieper said the team will bring both players’ helmets to the game and leave them on the bench.
A.J. Spitz emerged from a five-player battle to earn the starting quarterback job.
“He’s athletic with a good arm,” Pieper said of the 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior. “He showed us this week that he can get out of trouble and helps us with his running ability. We think we are a better team with him at quarterback (and) T.J. Tedeschi at linebacker.”
