advertisement

Football: Scouting Week 9, Lake County

Fox Valley FoxGrayslake North (5-3, 4-1) at Woodstock North (4-4, 4-1)When: 7:15 p.m., today

Last week: Grayslake North def. Grayslake Central, 61-13; Woodstock North lost to Prairie Ridge, 38-14.

Last year's result: Grayslake North won, 55-37.

Skinny: It's an important game on a couple of fronts. The winner will earn a share of the FVC Fox championship with Prairie Ridge - which has completed division play - while Woodstock North needs to win in order to earn an at-large berth into the state playoffs. Both Grayslake North (41) and Woodstock North (40) already appear to have ample playoff points to earn a 10th game with 5 wins. Grayslake North looks to extend its winning streak to three. "We control our destiny," Grayslake North coach Steve Wood said. "We beat PR, so as far as I'm concerned, that makes us the champ (if we beat Woodstock North). But that's not the way the Fox does it. The bottom is, (Woodstock North) is a pretty good team. They're 4-4, they're hungry, they need to win to have a chance, and they're going to give us everything they have. So we need to be ready." With 4 touchdowns in just one half of work against Grayslake Central last Friday night, Grayslake North RB Titus Booker hiked his season total to 23. He has rushed for 1,670 yards (10.4 average). He leads an offense that has scored an FVC Fox-best 297 points (37.1 per game average). Woodstock North's option offense averages 26.6 points per game, while the Thunder allows an average of 23.5 points per game.

- Joe Aguilar

Grayslake Central (0-8, 0-5) at Crystal Lake Central (6-2, 3-2)When: 7:15 p.m., today

Last week: Grayslake Central lost to Grayslake North, 61-13; Crystal Lake Central def. Hampshire, 65-20.

Skinny: Grayslake Central limps into its final game of the season, fresh off a blistering 48-point defeat to Grayslake North in its crosstown rivalry game. The Rams were down 55-0 at halftime. Grayslake Central did manage some offense, rolling up 225 total yards. But the Rams couldn't turn that production into many points, which is nothing new. Grayslake Central has scored the fewest points in the Fox Valley Fox Division. The Rams are averaging just 10.3 points per game. They also are giving up the most points in the division (42.6 points per game). Last week, Grayslake Central got a touchdown from Mitchell Gilbert, who connected with quarterback Luke Shepherd. Shepherd returned after missing much of the season with an injury. Kevin Dunk also scored last week for Grayslake Central, off a 13-yard run…Meanwhile, Crystal Lake Central is gearing up for the playoffs. The Tigers have already qualified with six wins, and are on a three-game winning streak. They score the second-most points in the Fox Valley Fox Division at 35.8 points per game. Crystal Lake Central rolled up 417 yards of offense last week against Hampshire. Running back Ryan Williams ran for 131 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 carries. Quarterback Matt Decoste completed 11-of-16 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown.

Tune in: Live video streaming on High School Cube at football.dailyherald.com.

- Patricia Babcock McGraw

North Suburban PrairieGrant (2-6, 2-3) at Round Lake (2-6, 1-4)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Grant lost to Vernon Hills, 20-6; Round Lake lost to Wauconda, 41-12.

Skinny: It's been a rough ride for both of these teams this season. Both could use a win to end on a positive note. "This is going to be a great game," Round Lake coach Jordan Eder said. "Both teams are going to be going hard to get this win." Both Grant and Round Lake are stuck on two-game losing streaks. They both last won on Oct. 2. Grant got a miraculous last-second win over Wauconda while Round Lake made a late surge and scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to get a 5-point win over North Chicago. "It's been a tough year for us, not what we were hoping for," Round Lake coach Jordan Eder said. "We've had some injuries and that's made it tough for us to get going sometimes. But our guys have kept fighting."…Round Lake has seen starting quarterback Cole Steger fight through a leg injury that caused him to miss most of the season. He made a full return last week against Wauconda and completed 13-of-23 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown to Danny Hernandez (6 catches, 56 yards). Meanwhile, running back Chris Perry gives the Panthers speed out of the backfield…Grant's option offense relies heavily on backs Jeremy Bredwood, Tim Hollins and John Bettis. They combined for all 185 of Grant's rushing yards. "They've got some really good athletes," Eder said of Grant. "They've got a few kids who really run hard. When they get rolling and when they're eating up clock, they're hard to stop."

- Patricia Babcock McGraw

Antioch (6-2, 4-1) at Wauconda (4-4, 2-3)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Antioch lost to Lakes, 45-18; Wauconda def. Round Lake, 41-12.

Last year's result: Antioch won, 27-17.

Skinny: Antioch has clinched a playoff berth, but Wauconda needs to win in order to have a shot at an at-large playoff berth. "We fully expect to be in a battle," Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. "We expect (Wauconda's) best game and for them to battle the entire 48 minutes. That is what we have been emphasizing to our kids. I reminded our kids a year ago about our situation and how we had to win our last four out of five games to get into the playoffs and how we physically, mentally and emotionally had to approach those games. That is Wauconda's situation right now." Wauconda gained its 36th playoff point Thursday night with Roosevelt beating Schurz 20-13 but is guaranteed just 2 more, so the Bulldogs will be rooting tonight for Woodstock North (home vs. 5-3 Grayslake North), Lake Forest (at 0-8 Mundelein) and Vernon Hills (home vs. 4-4 Lake Zurich). "When you can play for something on Week 9, you're doing something," Wauconda coach Dave Mills said after last Saturday's win at Round Lake. "It should be a fun week." Wauconda QB Kevin Malisheski threw 4 touchdown passes, including 3 to WR Josh Anderson, against Round Lake. Malisheski has thrown for 1,469 yards and 17 TDs this season. "If their QB is not pressured and allowed to sit back and throw the ball all over the field, we are in for a long night," Glashagel said. "Defensively, I like their linebackers. They hustle and make plays." ... Antioch lost its first-place showdown against Lakes but got another TD from junior RB Griffin Hill, who upped his season total to 22. Hill, however, suffered what Glashagel called a mild sprain of his knee late in the third quarter. "No damage," Glashagel said. "He will be a game-day decision."

- Joe Aguilar

North Chicago (0-8, 0-5) at Lakes (7-1, 5-0)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: North Chicago lost to Libertyville, 51-8; Lakes def. Antioch, 45-18.

Last year's result: Lakes won, 51-34.

Skinny: An expected win by Lakes tonight will give the Eagles their third outright NSC Prairie title in a row and stretch their division winning streak to 21 games. "Although it has never been our program goal, I am very proud of the efforts of our players, coaches and parents to put us in position to fare so well in conference play like we have the past few years," Eagles coach Luke Mertens said. "It has not been an easy road." With Lakes depleted at running back dues to injuries, sophomore Cameron Ruiz, who had been starting at cornerback, stepped in last Friday against Antioch and rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries and 3 TDs. He was hurt too. "Cameron Ruiz, playing on only one good leg, put forth a gutsy performance last Friday night," Mertens said. "Unbelievable job for a sophomore - who hasn't even had 1 carry all year long - to step into an environment like that and perform the way he did, all while being injured himself." Ruiz was filling in for Izayah James, who had replaced the injured Devyn Cedzidlo at running back. James missed the game with a hip injury and is still day-to-day, Mertens said. Lakes has the most prolific offense in the NSC, as the Eagles have scored 348 points (43.5 per game), while having allowed only 102. North Chicago has surrendered an NSC-worst 374 points.

- Joe Aguilar

East Suburban CatholicNotre Dame (4-4, 3-3) at Carmel (5-3, 4-2)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Notre Dame def. Marian Catholic, 35-7; Carmel def. Marian Central, 42-14.

Last year's result: Carmel won, 24-21.

Skinny: Notre Dame looks to exact revenge after the Corsairs pulled off a Week-9 upset last season. More importantly for the Dons, they need to win tonight to have a shot at an at-large playoff berth. Notre Dame enters the game with 35 playoff points. While the Dons have scored only 157 points, they've allowed only 135, second best in the ESCC. Carmel is all but assured a playoff berth even with a loss tonight, as the Corsairs have 39 playoff points. The Corsairs have won four of their last five, and last Friday night they got a huge game from sophomore FB Rondel Jamison, who rushed for 191 yards and 3 TDs. Joy Hoy had a pair of interceptions for the Carmel defense.

- Joe Aguilar

North Suburban LakeStevenson (8-0, 5-0) at Libertyville (6-2, 3-2)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Stevenson def. Mundelein, 42-6; Libertyville def. North Chicago, 51-8.

Skinny: This used to be the doozy game every year in the North Suburban Conference. Some of that luster is now back between these old rivals, two of the best teams in the league this season. Stevenson, ranked as one of the top teams in the state, is eyeing that rare perfect regular season. Meanwhile, Libertyville would love an extra win for a better seed in the playoffs. Both teams would love the bragging rights over the other. "Everyone is excited. It's easy to get up for this game," Libertyville coach Mike Jones said. "I think it used to be that Stevenson and Libertyville were the two most dominant teams in the league and the game was huge every year. But now, the entire league has gotten so good that you could say that about every game. Every game in our league is a big game now. But this year, this game happens to be a really good game." Libertyville enters the game as the most prolific offense in the NSC Lake Division at 37.3 points per game while Stevenson boasts the stingiest defense, allowing just 8.8 points per game. "Stevenson starts 11 seniors on defense, and a lot of them are 3-year starters," Jones said. "You don't find that kind of experience with a lot of teams. You have guys who have been in the system. Their technique is good. They've seen a lot and they won't get tricked by very much. And they've been in a lot of big games. That's a really good defense. We need to be able to possess and move the ball. We can't have a lot of 3-and-outs. We've got to take some pressure off our own defense." The Wildcats are led by one of the most athletic players in the league in quarterback Riley Lees. He's a threat to both pass and run. Last week, he saw limited reps in a blowout of North Chicago. Two weeks ago against Mundelein, he rolled up 275 rushing yards and passed for 116 yards. He scored four touchdowns in that game. "He's been pretty good this season," Jones said with a tinge of sarcasm. "We just have to be careful not to put it all on his shoulders. We need to get others involved against a team like Stevenson." Look for Libertyville to spread some rushing touches between Taylor Rossmann, Sean Ferraro and Noah Moderwell…Stevenson certainly has many heads to the snake, starting with versatile quarterback Willie Bourbon, who can run and pass as efficiently as Lees. He completed 9-of-10 passes for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns last week against Mundelein. Bourbon's two favorite receiving targets are Northwestern-bound Cameron Green (4 catches, 120 yards vs. Mundelein) and Jack Sorenson. Running back Jack Joseph has managed the bulk of the carries this season.

Tune in: Live video streaming on High School Cube at football.dailyherald.com.

- Patricia Babcock McGraw

Warren (6-2, 4-1) at Zion-Benton (3-5, 1-4)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Warren def. Lake Zurich, 21-17; Zion-Benton lost to Lake Forest, 42-6.

Last year's result: Warren won, 31-0.

Skinny: Warren is looking to close out the regular season strong, as the Blue Devils have won five in a row. A win, coupled with a Libertyville victory over Stevenson, would give Warren a share of the NSC Lake title. The Blue Devils' thrilling win over Lake Zurich last Friday night clinched a playoff berth. Warren was led on the ground again by junior RB Darrius Crump, who carried the ball a season-high 32 times for 240 yards and 2 TDs. MLB Nick Turner had a huge game with 12 tackles, including 2 for a loss, and a fumble recovery at the Lake Zurich 6 late in the game. The fumble recovery set up Crump's game-winning score. Since having a three-game winning streak snapped, Zion-Benton has lost four in a row and has been outscored 171-33 in losses to Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Stevenson and Lake Forest.

- Joe Aguilar

Lake Forest (5-3, 2-3) at Mundelein (0-8, 0-5)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Lake Forest def. Zion-Benton, 42-6; Mundelein lost to Stevenson, 42-6.

Skinny: Although these teams have traveled different paths this season, there's still plenty on the line for both sides. Lake Forest is hoping to get its sixth win, which would make it an automatic playoff qualifier. Mundelein is fighting for what would be its only win of the season. "We will fight hard for that," Mundelein coach George Kaider said. "We've had a good week of practice."…Mundelein had some bright spots last week against a Stevenson team that is ranked among the best in the state. "I thought we moved the ball against Stevenson in the first half with our run. That was really exciting," Kaider said. "We had them on their heels a little bit. We were physical on the line and we also defended the run well."…Mundelein rolled up 157 rushing yards against Stevenson (75 yards came from quarterback Colten Fisher), allowed just 119 Stevenson rushing yards, but gave up 229 passing yards. Fisher found Robert Hamilton for Mundelein's only touchdown, a 22-yard pass…Lake Forest rolled over Zion-Benton last week to rebound from a close loss to Lake Zurich in Week 7. Quarterback Daniel Carollo leads a balanced Lake Forest offense, which also counts on running back Wes Janeck. "Offensively, Lake Forest is very athletic in the offensive line, probably the fastest we've gone against all year," Kaider said. "They can run and they're really good at covering up the defense."

- Patricia Babcock McGraw

North Suburban crossoverLake Zurich (4-4, 3-3) at Vernon Hills (5-3, 4-2)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Lake Zurich lost to Warren, 21-17; Vernon Hills def. Grant, 20-6.

Skinny: This is a must-win for both teams. Lake Zurich absolutely needs a win just to be playoff eligible and have a chance to qualify on points, which are based on opponent wins. Vernon Hills could really use some insurance. The Cougars are playoff eligible with five wins, but can't be certain their points will get them in if they stay at five wins. Heading into this week, Vernon Hills had 33 total points and had gotten just two points out of three teams on its schedule (2-6 Round Lake, 0-8 Larkin and 0-8 North Chicago). "We've been playing must-win games for a while now," Lake Zurich coach David Proffitt said. "We've had some tough losses this year and we've had some key injuries. But the true character of a person or a team is what do you do when you get knocked down? You can stay down or you can get back up. We have kids who keep pulling themselves back up." Banged up all season, the Bears continue that trend into tonight, and will be playing without four injured starters. "That's football this time of year," Proffitt said of the injuries. "That's why it's important to have other kids who are ready to go and we feel like we have that. We have kids who are ready to step in."…Last week against Warren, Ben Klett stepped up with 2 rushing touchdowns but Lake Zurich was limited offensively. The Bears managed just 9 first downs, and 164 total yards. Klett was the leading rusher with just 50 yards. "In our games this year, we've made some not very smart decisions," Proffitt said. "When you do that consistently, you're sitting at 4-4. We need to be more consistent and we've got to give a really good effort against Vernon Hills. They're a major concern for us. They are very athletic and they throw the ball well, too." Vernon Hills rolled up 341 yards against Grant last week as prolific quarterback Connor McNamara completed 20-of-29 passes for 217 yards. McNamara also had 80 rushing yards. "We have to win against Vernon Hills and they'll be fighting, too," Proffitt said. "Mathematically, I think we would be in with five wins because of the points and our tough schedule. But realistically, you just don't know. You can never take anything for granted. All we can do is make sure that we can get that chance."

Tune in: Live video streaming on High School Cube at football.dailyherald.com.

- Patricia Babcock McGraw

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.