CHATHAM — A late surge and a collection of clutch plays gave No. 6 Normal West a 35-26 victory over No. 10 Chatham Glenwood in Friday’s Class 6A season opener, a game that showcased offensive firepower on both sides and left the Titans with plenty to build on despite the loss.
Quarterback drives, running back grinds in Wildcats’ win
Junior quarterback Chase Sennett supplied the bulk of Normal West’s production, throwing for 326 yards on 23-of-31 passing with one interception and connecting for four touchdowns. He repeatedly delivered in pivotal moments, including a 26-yard touchdown to junior receiver K’Shaun Jones with 26.4 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 14-13 halftime lead.
Sennett opened the second half with a 30-yard touchdown screen to senior Efoe Baskins, then struck again with an 11-yard touchdown to sophomore Marceon Williams as Normal West pushed the margin clear in the third quarter. Jones finished with six receptions for 125 yards and three touchdowns; Baskins also caught six passes for 105 yards and a score.
Senior running back Cody Muhlbauer provided a physical complement to the passing game, rushing 28 times for 142 yards, with 106 of those yards coming in the second half.
Titans respond but fall short after late penalty
Chatham Glenwood (0-1) did not wilt. Junior running back Malik Banks produced a game-changing 52-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter and then scored again on a 10-yard screen pass from junior quarterback Michael Young. Banks finished the night with eight carries for 63 yards.
The Titans rallied repeatedly but were undone when a personal foul disrupted their final possession, ending their comeback bid with time still on the clock. Glenwood coach James Dambacher complimented Normal West’s workhorse tailback, calling Muhlbauer "definitely an all-state player" and noting his long varsity experience.
"We knew that they were going to be a test. We came out and showed who we are," Sennett said after the game, describing how the Wildcats executed when it mattered.
- Final score: Normal West 35, Chatham Glenwood 26
- Normal West record: 1-0
- Chatham Glenwood record: 0-1
Key statistics from Friday
The following table summarises the main statistical highlights reported from the game.
| Player | Stat line |
|---|---|
| Chase Sennett (Normal West) | 23-of-31, 326 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT |
| K’Shaun Jones (Normal West) | 6 receptions, 125 yards, 3 TDs (also scored on a short run) |
| Efoe Baskins (Normal West) | 6 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD |
| Cody Muhlbauer (Normal West) | 28 carries, 142 rushing yards (106 in 2nd half) |
| Malik Banks (Chatham Glenwood) | 8 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs (including 52-yard run) |
The Wildcats' ability to convert on high-leverage downs — including a fourth-down 27-yard touchdown to Jones late in the third quarter — separated the teams during the final 24 minutes. For Glenwood, the game was far from a blowout: the Titans continued to fight and produced big plays, but turnovers and the late penalty stymied their final opportunities.
For Chatham Glenwood, the early loss raises questions about consistency and discipline at key moments, but the performance by Young and Banks suggests the Titans possess playmakers who can compete against ranked opponents. Normal West leaves town 1-0, buoyed by a balanced attack that can threaten opponents through the air and on the ground.
As the high school season unfolds, both programmes will look to shore up weaknesses and build on strengths identified in this opener. The Wildcats will aim to maintain the momentum gained from Sennett’s multi-touchdown night and Muhlbauer’s second-half work, while the Titans will seek cleaner possessions and penalties under control as they pursue their first win.
