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Week 9, North Suburban: Division champs Lakes, Libertyville in a dandy

NORTH SUBURBAN CROSSOVERLakes Eagles (6-2, 6-0) at Libertyville Wildcats (8-0, 6-0)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Lakes def. North Chicago, 34-6; Libertyville def. Mundelein, 34-7.

Skinny: There is no official North Suburban Conference championship in football, just division championships in the Lake and the Prairie, respectively. This season, though, there's a pseudo conference championship, which seems appropriate in the last season of the current North Suburban Conference. This Week 9 game, which was schedule long ago, happens to be between the Lake Division champion (Libertyville) and the Prairie Division champion (Lakes). It's unclear if a game between the two division champions has ever taken place in a climactic regular season finale. "It's cool. It's interesting that it happened this way," Libertyville coach Mike Jones said. "It certainly gives your players something to play for in Week 9. We knew when we saw the schedule that we would be playing the best team in the Prairie in Week 9." … Lakes has won five consecutive Prairie Division championships and 27 straight division games. The pressure to maintain those streaks is off now, and Lakes coach Luke Mertens says his players are relieved and intrigued by their new role as "underdog." "As luck would have it, we got Stevenson last year when they had their best team in school history and now we're getting Libertyville in a year where they've got one of their best teams in history," Mertens said. "But it's kind of nice for our kids to go into a game where no one really gives us a chance. They play with a lot of pressure all season long with the streak and everything. The preparation for this game has been much less stressful." … The preparation has still been thorough, though. The Eagles have been trying all week to figure out a way to slow Libertyville quarterback Riley Lees, easily one of the best players in the Chicago area this season. Lees is a threat to put up big numbers on the ground or through the air. He's often finishing with more than 100 yards in both categories each week. "It's clear as day that he's the best player on the field every Friday night," Mertens said of Lees. "He's electric and he lives up to the billing. He's such a great combination of speed and athleticism and is such a catalyst for them. But what is really underrated about Libertyville is the rest of the team. You hear so much about Riley, but they've got really good players around him. They've got a really physical running back (Noah Moderwell), good special teams and a tough defense." Libertyville, led by linebackers Riley Buncic and Hunter Reimers, is allowing just 11.4 points per game, fewest in the North Suburban Lake. … Meanwhile, the Lakes offense is averaging 27.4 points per game, most in the Prairie. The Eagles pride themselves on their depth, and have regularly used 10 running backs and 15 wide receivers this season. The one constant has been quarterback Jordan Mercure, who has put together another rock-solid season. He is a threat to run or pass. "Lakes is similar to Lake Forest in that they've got a really balanced offense," Jones said. "They can run or throw. They can do a variety of things. They're also aggressive in the special teams and defensively, they're opportunistic. They've made some big plays on defense, interceptions to win games. They're a very good team overall."

NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIEVernon Hills Cougars (5-3, 3-2) at Round Lake Panthers (1-7, 1-4)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Vernon Hills lost to Warren, 27-26 2OT; Round Lake lost to Grant, 33-13.

Skinny: After screeching out to a 5-0 start, Vernon Hills has come to a screeching halt, losing its last three games. Now, it's do-or-die time to ensure a playoff spot. A 5-win season probably won't cut it for the Cougars. With only 24 playoff points (opponent wins), least in the North Suburban Prairie, it's doubtful that Vernon Hills would qualify on points. The Cougars can take some solace that their three straight losses have come to quality teams. Wauconda is on the verge of a playoff berth, Lakes won the Prairie Division and last week's double-overtime loss was to a Warren team that has beaten defending Class 8A state champion Stevenson and is likely a playoff qualifier as well …. Vernon Hills quarterback Connor McNamara had one of his better games of the season against Warren, completing 23-of-48 passes for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns. Receivers Drew Winegardner and Kyle Hull each had 7 receptions and a touchdown. … Round Lake has struggled to put points on the board and to keep opponents from doing so. The Panthers average just 4.5 points per game and are allowing 41.5 points per game, both worst in the North Suburban Prairie.

Wauconda Bulldogs (4-4, 4-1) at North Chicago Warhawks (1-7, 0-5)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Wauconda def. Antioch, 17-10; North Chicago lost to Lakes, 34-6.

Skinny: Wauconda has delivered so far. The Bulldogs had their backs against the wall with a 1-4 start and no margin for error in their quest for a possible playoff berth. Each week since then they have answered the call and have now won three straight games (Vernon Hills, Grant, Antioch). Now, with a North Suburban Conference Prairie Division-best 38 playoff points, Wauconda has a great chance of making the playoffs if a fifth win can be secured against North Chicago. … Running back Jacob Bicknase had a big game last week against Antioch, rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Quarterback Kevin Malisheski continues to be super efficient. He completed 6-of-7 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. … North Chicago hasn't won a game since Week 2, a 26-23 victory over Robeson. The Warhawks allowed Lakes to outscore them 27-0 in the second half last week. North Chicago dismissed head coach Johnny Johnson last week. Longtime assistant Darell King has taken over the Warhawks.

Antioch Sequoits (4-4, 2-3) at Grant Bulldogs (2-6, 2-3)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Antioch lost to Wauconda, 17-10; Grant def. Round Lake, 33-13.

Skinny: With only 28 playoff points, Antioch will likely miss the state playoffs even with a victory. A win, however, will at least give the Sequoits their third winning season in a row. Running back Griffin Hill scored his 13th touchdown of the season in last Friday's loss to Wauconda. The senior has rushed for 743 yards this season. ... Grant needs a win to equal last year's total. In the Bulldogs' win over Round Lake last Friday, Ben Schram caught a touchdown pass and ran for a score. Sophomore Kenyon Jones rushed for 127 yards and a TD.

NORTH SUBURBAN LAKEStevenson Patriots (5-3, 3-2) at Mundelein Mustangs (4-4, 1-4)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Stevenson def. Zion-Benton, 42-14; Mundelein lost to Libertyville, 34-7.

Skinny: With 46 playoff points, most in the North Suburban Conference, Stevenson should make the playoffs with 5 wins. But the Patriots, who ran the table last season en route to the Class 8A state championship, know the importance of carrying momentum into the postseason and are gunning for that sixth win that would guarantee a playoff spot. … Stevenson rolled up 402 yards of offense last week, including 290 yards on the ground. Running backs Anthony Sibo (5 carries, 160 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Tyler Vincent (12 carries, 125 yards, 2 touchdowns) were particularly effective. … Mundelein could get to five wins with a victory, but that probably won't guarantee much. The Mustangs, who won their first three games but have gone 1-4 since, have only 31 playoff points, fewest in the North Suburban Lake Division. The Mustangs are scoring a healthy amount of points, but have surrendered 34.6 points per game, most in the Lake. … Running back Isaiah Woodford scored Mundelein's only touchdown last week. He finished with 83 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Warren Blue Devils (5-3, 4-1) at Lake Zurich Bears (3-5, 2-3)When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Warren def. Vernon Hills, 27-26 (2 OT); Lake Zurich lost to Lake Forest, 21-20.

Skinny: With 45 playoff points, Warren is all but guaranteed of earning a playoff berth even with a loss to the Bears. It will be Warren's fourth straight postseason berth and eighth in nine years. Running back Darrius Crump scored all 4 of Warren's touchdowns, including a pair in the overtimes, against Vernon Hills last Friday. For the season, Crump has rushed for 953 yards and 13 TDs. ... Lake Zurich will miss the state playoffs for the first since 2001, when they went 4-5. The Bears continue to get good production from running backs Kyle Roth (672 yards rushing, 6 TDs) and Ben Klett (556 yards rushing, 7 TDs). Quarterback Joey Lindstrom has passed for 942 yards, 10 TDs and just 2 interceptions.

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