The Normal Community Ironmen (12-0) secured a spot in the IHSA Class 7A Semifinals with a 45-28 second-half comeback victory over the Glenbard East Rams (10-2).

Despite leading Glenbard East 14-0 just over four minutes into the contest, Community would head into halftime trailing the Rams 28-14.

The Ironmen were up 7-0 after orchestrating a four-play, 67-yard drive capped off with a 10-yard Tommy Davis touchdown.

Mar’Quan Gary, in at cornerback, extended the lead to 14-0 with a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The Rams quickly retaliated.

Senior quarterback Blake Salvino threw the first of his three touchdown passes – a 21-yard connection to junior receiver Chris Renford.

Renford’s reception narrowed the deficit to 14-7.

The Rams’ momentum mounted, tying the game at 14-all on Salvino’s 50-yard touchdown pass to junior Amonte Cook.

Salvino, who threw just five passes the week before, completed 13 of 23 attempts against the Ironmen for 204 yards.

A four-yard touchdown run by Mathew Larson gave Glenbard their first lead at 21-14 midway through the second quarter.

Salvino’s 82-yard touchdown pass to Renford with seven seconds remaining in the first half further extended that lead to 28-14.

Renford finished the afternoon with 111 yards on three catches.

After halftime, it was all Ironmen, as Community would outscore the Rams 31-0 in the second half.

Tommy Davis opened the third quarter with a 65-yard touchdown run to cut the Rams’ lead to 28-21.

Community linebacker Brady Augstin’s stopped the Ram’s next offensive drive, intercepting Salvino to give the Ironmen the ball deep in Rams’ territory.

Six plays later, Davis scored his third touchdown of the game, this time from six yards out, to tie the game at 28-all.

Davis tallied 164 rushing yards in the game, with 100 coming in the second half.

On Ram’s next possession, Glenbard East’s offensive drive stalled, and they were forced to punt.

Things continued to go south for the Rams, as Anton Cassell blocked the punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for the score.

The Ironmen erased the Ram’s 14-point lead in a six-minute span, going up 35-28 over Glenbard.

William Castro’s 29-yard field goal extended that lead to two scores, putting Community up 38-25.

Iron quarterback Kyle Beaty sealed the decisive victory with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Gary.

Beaty finished the day eight for 19 with 97 yards.

Gary recorded his second interception with 3:33 to play in the fourth, sending the Ironmen on to the next round of the playoffs.

Community makes their first Semifinal appearance since 2007 on Saturday when they head to Downers Grove North to face the 10-2 Trojans.