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Scouting Week 3 football games in Lake County

Grayslake North (2-0) at Antioch (2-0)

When: 7 p.m., Thursday

Last week: Grayslake North def. Grant, 31-7; Antioch def. North Chicago, 61-6.

2019 result: Antioch 38, Grayslake North 0

Outlook: In a battle of Northern Lake County Conference unbeatens, both teams have plenty going for them. Balanced offenses. Explosive playmakers. Stingy defenses. But if one team is the underdog, it would be Grayslake North as Antioch is the defending conference champion and arguably one of the most successful teams in Lake County in recent memory. And Grayslake North coach Corey Atwell is the first to admit that. “Antioch is on top of the mountain,” Atwell said. “Everyone is trying to get to where they are, including us. We are looking to compete and give them a great game.” Grayslake North is averaging 43 points per game on the strength of a 5-wide offense in which sophomore quarterback Jacob Donohue is flourishing. One of his top targets is senior wide receiver Tony Hines. Antioch is balanced with a passing attack led by brothers, Athan and Dino Kaliakmanis, quarterback and wide receiver respectively. But the Sequoits do have a running game that can eat clock. “That's our biggest focus. We don't want them to possess the ball for eight to nine minutes at a time,” Atwell said. “We need to try to get them to punt or turn the ball over.”

North Chicago (0-2) at Wauconda (2-0)

When: 7 p.m., Thursday

Last week: North Chicago lost to Antioch, 61-6; Wauconda def. Grayslake Central, 38-7.

2019 result: Wauconda 14, North Chicago 13

Outlook: Wauconda is looking to keep its winning streak going and stay among the unbeatens in the Northern Lake County conference. The Bulldogs have had a potent passing game with veteran quarterback Nick Bulgarelli leading the way.

Grayslake Central (0-2) at Round Lake (1-1)

When: 7 p.m., Thursday

Last week: Grayslake Central lost to Wauconda, 38-7; Round Lake def. Lakes, 28-20.

2019 result: Grayslake Central 56, Round Lake 28

Outlook: Round Lake bounced back last week against Lakes after a rough Week 1 loss to Grayslake North. The Panthers outlasted Lakes thanks to some big plays down the stretch by their defense. Offensively, Round Lake is rotating quarterbacks Isaiah Nixon and Cristian Castro.

Lakes (0-2) at Grant (1-1)

When: 7 p.m., Thursday

Last week: Lakes lost to Round Lake, 28-20; Grant lost to Grayslake North, 31-7.

2019 result: Grant 25, Lakes 7

Outlook: Grant had a rough game offensively last week against Grayslake North and will be looking to running back John Bolton for production. Lakes is trying to get on the winning side by reducing the key mistakes and turnovers that have been an Achilles' heel over the first two weeks.

Libertyville (2-0) at Lake Forest (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday

Last week: Libertyville def. Lake Zurich, 15-6; Lake Forest, def. Mundelein, 42-14.

2019 result: Libertyville 23, Lake Forest 10

Outlook: In a battle of North Suburban Conference unbeatens, both Libertyville and Lake Forest have been solid defensively this season. Lake Forest has given up just 17 points over two games while Libertyville is at 27 points, and limited Lake Zurich to just a touchdown last week. Libertyville quarterback Blake Ellingson has show the ability to be a threat both passing and running the ball.

Zion-Benton (1-1) at Stevenson (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday

Last week: Zion-Benton def. Waukegan, 44-0; Stevenson lost to Warren, 21-7.

2019 result: Stevenson 35, Zion-Benton 14

Outlook: Stevenson looks to rebound from a loss to Warren last week against an athletic Zion-Benton team that also lost to Warren (in Week 1), but is capable of big plays. Stevenson must find a way to better protect quarterback Liam Crawley. Warren registered 6 sacks on the Patriots last week while holding them to just 68 yards of total offense. Crawley did help Stevenson capitalize on a Warren turnover with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Fisher after a botched Warren punt.

Warren (2-0) at Waukegan (0-2)

When: 5 p.m., Thursday

Last week: Warren def. Stevenson, 21-7; Waukegan lost to Zion-Benton, 44-0.

2019 result: Warren 56, Waukegan 0

Outlook: Warren has been on point with its defense again this season, picking up where it left off during its Class 8A state championship game season in 2019. So far, the Blue Devils have allowed just 13 points on the season. That kind of stinginess is expected to continue this week as Waukegan has not scored any points yet this season. In Week 1, the Bulldogs were shutout by Stevenson, 49-0.

Mundelein (0-2) at Lake Zurich (0-2)

When: 5:30 p.m., Thursday

Last week: Mundelein lost to Lake Forest, 42-14; Lake Zurich lost to Libertyville, 15-6.

2019 result: Lake Zurich 34, Mundelein 7

Outlook: Both of these teams are looking to get on the winning side after losses to the same teams. Both Mundelein and Lake Zurich have opened the season with losses to Libertyville and Lake Forest.

Deerfield (2-0) at Vernon Hills (1-0)

When: 12:30 p.m., Saturday

Last week: Deerfield def. Maine East, 48-0; Vernon Hills def. Highland Park, 36-12.

2019 result: Deerfield 23, Vernon Hills 20

Outlook: Vernon Hills had to miss its season opener due to a COVID quarantine. But the Cougars wasted no time getting on the plus side with their win last week against Highland Park. Senior running back Ryan Mann, who will be playing at NIU next year, had himself a day against Highland Park. He rushed for 138 yards on 22 carries and 2 touchdowns and also returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown.

Marian Central (1-1) at Carmel (1-0)

When: 12:30 p.m., Saturday

Last week: Marian Central lost to St. Viator, 36-14; Carmel def. St. Patrick, 24-21.

2019 result: Marian Central 28, Carmel 14

Outlook: Carmel didn't play in its season opener due to a COVID quarantine but came back to win a close and crazy game in Week 2 against St. Patrick in which both teams scored 2 touchdowns apiece in the fourth quarter. That gave first-year coach and former Chicago Bear Jason McKie his first victory. Junior Gabe Lynch had a big game for the Corsairs, rushing for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns on 28 carries.

Buffalo Grove (2-0, 2-0) at Wheeling (0-2, 0-2)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Buffalo Grove beat Rolling Meadows 15-14; Wheeling lost to Hersey 41-20

2019 result: Buffalo Grove 48, Wheeling 20

Outlook: Buffalo Grove is 2-0 in the MSL East for the first time since 2016. The Bison defense, led by Eli Shereshovech, Trystan Anderson, Connor Sharpe, Dominick Marrazzo and Jacob Pond, limited Rolling Meadows to just 5-of-13 on third down. Ian Luyando continues to impress at quarterback while Ayden Anderson is tough to cover. Wheeling continues to improve. Isaiah Romano has been a nice surprise, going both ways for the Wildcats. Solomon Hudson looks good as a dual-threat quarterback, running for 53 yards and a touchdown while throwing for 86 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Barrington (2-0, 2-0) at Conant (0-2, 0-2)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Barrington beat Palatine 37-14; Conant lost to Hoffman Estates 38-28

2019 result: Conant 21, Barrington 14

Outlook: Conant has been Barrington's kryptonite the past two season. Playing solid football to begin this season, Barrington would like to change that. Led by quarterback Peter Anderson, who has thrown for 452 yards, the Broncos have racked up 71 points in their first two games. Meanwhile the starting defense, led by Evan Roper, has allowed just 8 points. After being routed in the opener against Palatine, Conant played well in its game against Hoffman Estates. Conant got its ground game back in gear with quarterback Giusseppe Dugo running for 183 yards.

Dick Quagliano contributed

  Round Lake's Isaiah Nixon (8) tosses the football on an option play during Week 1 action. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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