Undefeated Downers Grove North, under-recruited Joe Edwards earn a statement win at York

Downers Grove North senior Joe Edwards picked up his third college scholarship offer a few hours before the Trojans headed to Elmhurst on Friday for a battle between unbeaten West Suburban Silver teams.

The 6-3, 215-pound linebacker now has offers from Marshall, Akron and Western Illinois. Downers Grove North coach Joe Horeni thinks Power 5 colleges are missing the boat.

“His recruiting is mind-boggling,” Horeni said. “I have no idea what people are doing. He’s an awesome player on both sides of the ball. He’s physical, smart and understands the game.”

Horeni believes colleges have some questions about which position Edwards is best suited for.

“Here is what I know: he’s a football player and he’s going to make plays for you,” Horeni said.

Edwards, the younger brother of Bills lineman David Edwards, was all over the field in No. 4 Downers Grove North’s 35-14 win against No. 15 York. He was a destructive force on defense and caught a 21-yard pass from the tight end position.

“We played fast and physical,” Edwards said. “The coaches had us in the right spot at the right times. The pass rush was getting home and the defensive backs had a good game. We have a lot of leaders on this team. I just try to do the little things that can help.”

Downers Grove North (6-0, 4-0) entered the season with state championship aspirations. The Trojans lost to Mount Carmel in the Class 7A title game last season. Quarterback Owen Lansu, a Minnesota recruit, and receiver Oliver Thulin are well-known players across the area.

On Friday against York, the Trojans showcased another layer of playmakers.

Senior linebacker/running back Jake Gregorio scored a career-high three touchdowns, including a 55-yard score with 5:03 remaining that sealed the win. Gregorio also had a sack and a few tackles for losses. He had four carries for 74 yards.

“I don’t run the ball like that often,” Gregorio said. “I’m a five or six yard guy so that was pretty sweet. I looked back once [on the 55-yard TD]. I just ran as fast as I could. I’m not the quickest guy.”

Lansu was 13-for-24 for 226 yards and two TDs. Thulin had six receptions for 46 yards. Max Troha had three catches for 100 yards and a TD. Will Vala, who laid down a devastating block on Gregorio’s first TD run, had two catches for 29 yards and a TD.

York scored on an odd play on the opening drive. Dukes quarterback Bruno Massel fumbled right to Quinlan Hughes, who scampered the last 14 yards for a TD.

Downers Grove North scored the next 28 points.

“The first drive was a little sloppy,” Gregorio said. “Then we got those nerves out and we were hitting guys and flying and playing football.”

Massel had nine carries for 37 yards. He was 7-for-16 for 104 yards with one interception. The Dukes (5-1, 2-1) managed just three runs of more than nine yards and one was on the fumble that went for a TD.

“Their defensive line has a bunch of good football players,” York coach Don Gelsomino said. “We didn’t play as good as we wanted to. We battled. It’s going to be a learning experience for us.”

Gelsomino was impressed with Edwards.

“He can play,” Gelsomino said. “He looked pretty good to me. We had a hard time with him. He looked good on film and he looked good live.”