Scouting Cary-Grove at Jacobs

Cary-Grove (2-2) at Jacobs (3-1)

When: 7:15 p.m. Friday at Jacobs Athletic Field

Last year: Cary-Grove 57, Jacobs 0

Last week: Cary-Grove 42, Woodstock North 7; Jacobs 24, Grayslake Central 7

Outlook: Cary-Grove has won 8 straight meetings between these charter members of the Fox Valley Conference. A win in the Valley Division opener would make Jacobs 4-1 for the first time since 1999. To reach that plateau, they must handle a resurgent Cary-Grove team that has won two straight after opening the season 0-2. The Golden Eagles will attempt to improve their defense against the triple option offense, an attack they had trouble containing in Week 3 in their only loss at Prairie Ridge. "A couple of weeks ago we had a couple of breakdowns and a team that ran the option well capitalized on it," Jacobs coach Bill Mitz said. "We can't have that or Cary-Grove will do the same thing." Cary-Grove's improving defense will be tasked with stopping the steady combination of Jacobs running back Caz Zyks (70 carries, 385 yards, 4 TD), the second-leading rusher in the Fox Valley area, and fullback Kyle Wright (78-306-6). Quarterback Jason Judson has been particularly effective passing the ball on rollouts to his main target, 6-foot-3 tight end Henry Gigeous (7 rec., 116 yards, TD), though Mitz said Judson may be asked this week to use more five-step drops. "We better control him from rolling out and we'd better control that tight end from crossing the field," Trojans coach Bruce Kay said. "(Judson's) been very effective. The tight end's got better-than-average speed and the quarterback throws extremely well on the run. He's a tall kid (6-1). You can be in his face and he can still execute. We definitely have to control and contain the boot." Mitz and Kay know each other well. Mitz's son Brian starred at quarterback for Kay in 2003-04 and led the Trojans to a Class 7A state final appearance. Bill Mitz acted as a staff consultant during summer camp and playoff games back then, but he said that knowledge of the Trojans schemes holds little advantage six years hence. "(Kay) has added a couple of new wrinkles and added other things since then," Mitz said. "The players have to play and we have to coach. It's important for the kids that we get another win, especially at home. We have Cary and (Crystal Lake) South here back to back. A win would be huge for our confidence."