Record output as Lakes rolls

A good start would surely kill the bad taste left in the mouths of Lakes after its setback at home to Stevenson last week.

A quick start would also be helpful, it seemed, in combatting the high-powered offense from Vernon Hills

But even Lakes coach Luke Mertens couldn't have scripted a start, or an outcome, like this for his football team.

Before most in the crowd could even get the rain ponchos out, the Eagles had put up 14 points on the visiting Cougars.

Just 63 seconds is all it took, and it set the tone for the rest of the night. Some 38-plus mintues later, the Eagles had set a school record for scoring in downing Vernon Hills 73-13 in Lake Villa.

The 73 points broke the previous mark set in a 69-20 win over Wauconda two seasons ago. The margin of victory tied the previously held mark.

"We knew that we had to come out and have a great defensive effort against a high-powered offense like (Vernon Hills) has," Mertens said. "The challenge to the team from last week was we lost but fought a great battle. This was important to see how we would respond after the loss."

Lakes (5-1, 3-0) kept responding on both sides of the ball. Even with the offense putting up crazy numbers, the defense took it to one of the top passers in the state in Vernon Hills junior Connor McNamara. He was held to his lowest yardage output of the season. Lakes limited McNamara to just 35 yards passing on 5-for-18 in just one half of football.

"(Lakes) is a physical football team and you really couldn't see that on film," said Vernon Hills coach Bill Bellecomo. "They're a good program and were playing a much different speed than us tonight."

The Eagles moved the advantage to 24-0 after one quarter and 52-7 at the break on the hot passing of Jordan Mercure. He was 12-for-12 in the first half for 174 yards and three scoring plays.

"I thought our defense played great tonight," said Mercure who also rushed for a 32-yard score. "(The defense) allowed me to play relaxed and helped us put up a lot of points."

Mercure's top targets were Mike Brumm and Jake Balliu. Balliu led the Eagles with 6 catches for 76 yards, including a 19-yard score just before halftime. Brumm was the busiest of all the Eagles. He ran for a touchdown, caught a 16-yard touchdown pass and kicked a 29 yard field goal. He also accounted for 11 extra points.

Eagles running backs Izayah James (14 carries, 111 yards), and Kyle Jones (6 carries, 133) also had big nights for Lakes. Each scored twice.

Vernon Hills (3-3, 2-2) did hit the end zone late in the first half. McNamara lateraled to Kyle Hull who hit Robby Nardini for a 64-yard scoring play. The Cougars also netted a score on a 16-yard pass from Sam Brandl to Jonathan McGuire.