CHRIS FOX PHOTO
Game-winning touchdown in the season opener
The Glenbard East and Willowbrook football teams squared off in a season-opening game in Villa Park on Friday, Aug. 30. The Rams and Warriors were tied at 15-15 late in the fourth quarter. Glenbard East scored a touchdown with a little more than one minute to play. The Rams made the extra-point kick to take a 22-15 lead. Willowbrook then marched down the field and scored a touchdown with 20.9 seconds remaining. The Warriors attempted and converted a two-point run to take a 23-22 lead. The Rams returned the ensuing kickoff to Willowbrook’s 23-yard line. On the following play, Glenbard East junior quarterback Michael Nee threw a pass to junior receiver Muhammad Musleh (No. 18). Musleh is pictured while catching the ball in the game’s closing seconds. Just before stepping out of bounds, Musleh reached to place the ball across the goal line for a touchdown. The Rams added a two-point conversion pass to earn a thrilling 30-23 victory. Nee and Musleh both made their varsity football debut in the Aug. 30 game, which marked the renewal of the football rivalry between the two schools after a nine-year break. Glenbard East and Willowbrook clashed in 11 straight season-opening football games from 2005 to 2015. The Rams won nine of those meetings.
