Scouting Week 4 football games in Lake County

Stevenson (2-1) at Libertyville (2-1)When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Last week: Stevenson def. Zion-Benton, 34-6; Libertyville lost to Lake Forest, 23-14.

2019 result: Stevenson def. Libertyville, 24-6.

Outlook: This is always one of the top rivalry games in the north suburbs, and this year both Stevenson and Libertyville have identical records and are chasing front-runners and unbeatens Warren and Lake Forest in the North Suburban Conference standings. Stevenson is coming off a win against Zion-Benton after suffering its only loss of the season thus far to Warren in Week 2. Stevenson had success through the air last week as quarterback Liam Crawley passed for 223 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jayden McFadden was his primary target. He caught 4 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. Libertyville suffered its first loss of the season last week, and had trouble with execution against Lake Forest. Quarterback Blake Ellingson continued to be a threat with his arm, completing 11-of-21 passes for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns last week.

Lake Zurich (1-2) at Warren (3-0)When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Last week: Lake Zurich def. Mundelein, 23-0; Warren def. Waukegan, 55-0.

2019 result: Warren def. Lake Zurich, 24-3.

Outlook: These two teams typically boast reputations for stingy defense. Warren shut out Waukegan last week and has allowed only 13 points in three games. Lake Zurich is also coming off a shutout and is allowing 12 points per game on the year. Offensively, both Warren and Lake Zurich ride strong ground games. Warren running back Maurice Edwards, a transfer from Grayslake Central, is almost a sure-thing for a 100-plus-yard rushing game. Meanwhile, Jack Dwyer is a workhorse for Lake Zurich. Last week, he rolled up 152 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 26 carries.

Waukegan (0-3) at Mundelein (0-3)When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Last week: Waukegan lost to Warren, 55-0; Mundelein lost to Lake Zurich, 23-0.

2019 result: Mundelein def. Waukegan, 29-14.

Outlook: Both of these teams are in need of a win and one of them will finally get it. Waukegan has yet to score a point this season and is giving up nearly 50 points per game. Mundelein returned 15 returning starters from 2019 but has opened the season with two of the top teams in the North Suburban Conference in Libertyville and Lake Forest.

Wauconda (3-0) at Antioch (3-0)

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Last week: Wauconda def. North Chicago, 40-6; Antioch def. Grayslake North, 36-18.

2019 result: Antioch def. Wauconda, 41-7.

Outlook: It's the only battle of unbeatens in Lake County in Week 4 with first place in the Northern Lake County Conference on the line. Both Wauconda and Antioch boast balanced, high-scoring offenses. Antioch is averaging 43.7 points per game while Wauconda is at 36.3 points per game. The Bulldogs have been very stingy on defense, too. They've allowed just 16 points on the season for an average of 5.3 points per game. Last week, Antioch running back Dino Kaliakmanis rushed for 193 yards on 21 carries while his brother, quarterback Athan, ran for 3 touchdowns. For Wauconda, quarterback Nick Bulgarelli has been on a tear all season. He completed 12-of-16 passes for 183 yards and scored 3 touchdowns last week.

Grant (2-1) at Round Lake (1-2) When: 7:15 p.m., Friday

Last week: Grant def. Lakes, 34-14; Round Lake lost to Grayslake Central, 42-40 OT.

2019 result: Grant def. Round Lake, 48-14.

Outlook: Grant could stay in the hunt for the Northern Lake County Conference championship with a win at Round Lake. The Bulldogs are led by two-way star John Bolton, who rushed for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns last week while also hauling in an interception on defense. Round Lake is coming off a rough overtime loss last week to Grayslake Central. The Panthers are led by Cristian Castro and Isaiah Nixon, both of whom rotate in at quarterback.

North Chicago (0-3) at Grayslake Central (1-2)When: 7 p.m., Friday

Last week: North Chicago lost to Wauconda, 40-6; Grayslake Central def. Round Lake, 42-40 OT.

2019 result: North Chicago def. Grayslake Central, 27-20.

Outlook: North Chicago is still looking for its first win and Grayslake Central just got its first of the season. The Rams outlasted Round Lake last week in overtime as quarterback Darryl Overstreet had another big game. He completed 20 passes for a school-record 275 yards, which broke a record he set earlier this season against Antioch. He also tossed 4 touchdown passes, three of which went to Colin O'Malley. O'Malley also set a school record against Round Lake. He caught 13 passes for a record-setting 200 receiving yards.

Grayslake North (2-1) at Lakes (0-3)When: 1 p.m., Saturday

Last week: Grayslake North lost to Antioch, 36-18; Lakes lost to Grant, 34-14.

2019 result: Lakes def. Grayslake North, 20-7.

Outlook: Grayslake North and Lakes are both coming off tough weeks. Grayslake North suffered its first loss of the season, to Antioch, and Lakes lost its third game in a row. Grayslake North sophomore quarterback Jacob Donohue continues to be impressive in his young career. He completed 23-of-41 passes for 160 yards last week. Running back Christian Johnson added some balance to the offense, rushing for 123 yards on 10 carries. Lakes has struggled with mistakes and turnovers all season. Last week against Grant, Lakes managed just 88 yards of offense, and committed 4 turnovers in the first half alone.

Joliet Catholic (3-0) at Carmel (1-1)When: 6 p.m., Friday

Last week: Joliet Catholic def. St. Ignatius, 21-7; Carmel lost to Marian Central, 34-21.

2019 result: Joliet Catholic def. Carmel, 42-14.

Outlook: Joliet Catholic has been rolling so far. The Hilltoppers are averaging 37.3 points per game and have allowed just 14 points over three games for an average of 4.6 points per game. Carmel got off to a late start, having its season opener canceled due to a COVID quarantine. The Corsairs won in Week 2, but got burned by some big plays by Marian Central in crunchtime last week.

Vernon Hills (2-0) at Maine West (1-2)When: 7 p.m., Friday

Last week: Vernon Hills def. Deerfield, 19-6; Maine West def. Maine East, 37-12.

2019 result: Maine West def. Vernon Hills, 59-38.

Outlook: Vernon Hills is looking to stay on the winning side after another decisive win. The Cougars have won their two games this season by an average of nearly 19 points per game. Last week against Deerfield, the Vernon Hills defense, led by Ball State recruit Jackson Wiegold, flexed its muscle. The Cougars had 4 sacks and held Deerfield to just 38 yards on the ground. Offensively, Northern Illinois recruit Ryan Mann rolled up 213 rushing yards on 30 carries for the Cougars. Earlier this season, Maine West lost to Deerfield, 35-6.