Scouting Lake Zurich at Prospect

CLASS 7A

No. 5 Lake Zurich Bears (9-1) at No. 4 Prospect Knights (9-1)

When: 7 p.m., Saturday

Last week: In first round action, Lake Zurich def. Jacobs, 41-7; Prospect def. Rockford Guilford, 54-14.

Playoff history: Lake Zurich is making its ninth straight playoff appearance. The 2007 Class 7A state champions have advanced to at least the state semifinals in three of the last four years. The lone exception was a first-round exit in 2008. Last year, the Bears lost in the Class 7A semifinals to Glenbard West, 21-17…This is Prospect's tenth playoff appearance in the last 11 years. The Knights' lone miss was in 2004. Over these 11 years, Prospect has been on quite a ride. The Knights have won three state championships (2001, 2002, 2005). Last year, they lost in the second round to Wheaton North, 38-24.

Head coaches: Bryan Stortz, Lake Zurich; Brent Pearlman, Prospect

Just the facts: Lake Zurich has won its last four games and suffered its only defeat to Stevenson (24-23) in Week 6. The Bears score 28.5 points and allow a North Suburban Lake Division-low 8.7 points per game…Prospect won the Mid-Suburban East Conference and is on a nine-game winning streak. The Knights, who score 41.6 points and allow 16.7 points per game, lost their season opener to York, 34-21.

Lake Zurich leaders: Rushing: Jacob Brinlee (108 carries, 1,104 yards, 11 touchdowns), Mike Shield (90 carries, 414 yards, 8 touchdowns); Passing: Zach Till (37-of-71, 598 yards, 5 touchdowns, 3 interceptions); Receiving: Jacob Brinlee (7 receptions, 133 yards, 1 touchdown), Jack Lynn (9 receptions, 95 yards).

Prospect leaders: Rushing: Steve Dazzo (180 carries, 1,454 yards, 23 touchdowns), Peter Bonahoom (110 carries, 1,002 yards, 9 touchdowns); Passing: Steve Dazzo (59-of-116, 1,107 yards, 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions); Receiving: Sam Frasco (21 receptions, 311 yards, 3 touchdowns), Grant DePalma (9 receptions, 263 yards, 3 touchdowns).

Line on Lake Zurich: The Bears rolled up the rushing yards (428) last week and could be even more prolific this week. John Mularz and quarterback Zach Till each rushed for more than 100 yards and Jacob Brinlee had 85 yards in addition to an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Head coach Bryan Stortz is hoping that star fullback Mike Shield will also be able to contribute to the bottom line. He sat out last week with a bad ankle sprain but his replacement, Mularz, made sure the Bears didn't miss a beat.

Line on Prospect: It's one tough rushing offense against another. Prospect will keep pace with Lake Zurich on the ground with Steve Dazzo and Peter Bonahoom leading the way. They are two of the top rushers in northwestern Cook County. In fact, Dazzo ranks No. 1 with nearly 1,500 yards. Dazzo had 4 touchdowns and 158 rushing yards last week against Rockford Guilford.