Chatham Glenwood football piles on the hits with this senior defensive end in playoff run
CHATHAM — Colten Knoedler tied a school record with six touchdown passes in Chatham Glenwood’s 63-28 victory over Bloomington in a first-round game of the Class 6A playoffs on Saturday.
That select company also includes Luke Lehnen (twice) and Jake Burris. The former is notably attempting to lead North Central College to a second consecutive NCAA Division III title.
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Knoedler was by no means the only star of the game.
Sophomore receiver Blake Lehnen and sophomore running back Grady Mueller could also be singled out, but Justin Hay loomed the largest defensively.
The 6-foot-2, 194-pound senior defensive end threw the first haymaker with a sack in the opening two minutes and doled out each of his three sacks in the first half.
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Glenwood (7-3) jumped out to a 49-14 halftime lead while limiting Bloomington to just 59 rushing yards. Fellow sophomore defensive lineman A.J. Ferguson assisted one of those sacks and finished with four total tackles.
Glenwood visits No. 3 Oak Lawn Richards (8-2) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
“I love all of my D-line guys,” said Hay, the son of head coach David Hay. “They’ve all been great. We’ve all dealt with injuries, but it’s the d-line, we’re going to get hurt. We’re pretty much all back, but I think the D-line is great. The defense and offense are doing great. I love my d-line.”
Hay’s older brother, Brandon, previously donned a Titans uniform as a running back.
But Justin wound up on the defensive line as a sophomore and has stayed there ever since.
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“He just does everything that he’s coached to do,” David said. “He’s obviously a coach’s kid and does the things he’s coached to do, and he’s really gotten big and strong – a lot bigger than me. He’s out there making plays and helping lead our defense.”
Last season, Hay registered 41 tackles, including seven for loss and two sacks. This year, he is second on the team with 55 tackles behind only senior linebacker Theo Blackston (59).
Hay is certainly doing what he does best:
“Hitting people and hitting people,” Hay said.
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Hay said he plans to focus on academics after high school but has soaked up the experience with his dad.
“It’s all great. He’s a great coach and a great father,” Hay said.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA football: Justin Hay galvanizes Chatham Glenwood defensive line
