Can Wauconda, Vernon Hills equal magic from last year's game?

Wauconda Bulldogs (1-4, 1-1) at Vernon Hills Cougars (5-0, 3-0)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Last week: Wauconda lost to Lakes, 16-2; Vernon Hills def. Antioch, 21-6.

Last year's game between Wauconda and Vernon Hills might have been one of the most exciting in Lake County.

With about three minutes left and down a touchdown, Vernon Hills scored a touchdown, but Wauconda blocked the extra point to keep a 1-point lead at 28-27.

All the host Bulldogs had to do was get a first down and run out the clock to preserve a win.

But Wauconda came up a bit short and was forced to punt.

The Bulldogs also then got a 15-yard penalty, which helped Vernon Hills move the ball, eventually all the way down to the Wauconda 15-yard line. The Cougars ultimately kicked a field goal with 1 second left and won the game, 30-28.

"Actually, it was 0.4 seconds left," Wauconda coach Dave Mills said with a pained chuckle. "I know that because I've been watching a lot of tape on that game this week, but also because that's something that just gets stuck in your mind. We've talked to our kids about the adversity of that game, but that if you put in the time and work hard, you can make great things happen."

Vernon Hills coach Bill Bellecomo has also been watching film this week on Wauconda, and he expects an equally exciting game this year, mostly because Wauconda will be "the best team we'll see all year."

Bellecomo says Wauconda's 1-4 record is misleading. The Bulldogs have more opponent wins (25) than any other team in the North Suburban Prairie.

"They could have won all four of the games they lost," Bellecomo said of Wauconda. "I've watched a lot of film on this Wauconda team and I told our kids that if we had played the schedule that Wauconda has so far, we might be 1-4, too. Wauconda is a really good team, really physical up front and their quarterback is exceptional."

Wauconda quarterback Kevin Malisheski, a three-year starter, completed 25-of-43 passes for 243 yards last week. However, the Bulldogs weren't able to score a touchdown against Lakes.

"We've had some games this year where we just aren't taking advantage of some really good (scoring) opportunities," Mills said. "Against Lakes, we were in the red zone four times, but we had some self-inflicted wounds, a couple of interceptions, a dropped touchdown. We need to execute better."

Undefeated Vernon Hills has been executing better lately, now that its lineup is at full strength.

The Cougars' top two receivers, Andres Salazar and Kiwanne Durant, had a rough start to the season. Salazar struggled with a high hip pointer injury, while Durant was out for the first three weeks due to disciplinary issues. Their absences prevented star quarterback Connor McNamara from being quite as effective as usual.

"We haven't put the points up like we did last year, and Connor has sometimes been a little off and just hasn't always connected," Bellecomo said. "But I think now that he's got his top weapons back, it will really help with his timing and his confidence."

The Vernon Hills' defense has stepped up in the meantime, allowing just 10 points per game.

Middle linebacker Andrew Smith has been all over the field for the Cougars. He had 12 tackles, including 2 for a loss, last week after rolling up 19 tackles the week before against North Chicago.