North Suburban Conference Week 5: Vernon Hills, Antioch feature high-powered offenses
Vernon Hills Cougars (4-0) at Antioch Sequoits (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Vernon Hills def. North Chicago, 50-12; Antioch def. Round Lake, 31-0.
Skinny: There are many similarities between Vernon Hills and Antioch, starting with the fact that they feature the highest-scoring offenses and the stingiest defenses in the North Suburban Prairie Division. Vernon Hills averages 33.3 points per game while yielding 11 points per game. Antioch's numbers are at 30.5 points and 10 points, respectively … Vernon Hills had its highest scoring game of the season last week with 50 points against North Chicago. Quarterback Connor McNamara continues to roll up the passing yards. He completed 20-of-28 passes for 232 yards against the Warhawks … Antioch bounced back from its only loss of the season (14-9 against Lakes in Week 3) to shut out Round Lake. Running back Griffin Hill is a load for the Sequoits. He's averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game.
Round Lake Panthers (0-4) at Lake Zurich Bears (1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Round Lake lost to Antioch, 31-0; Lake Zurich def. Zion-Benton, 35-12.
Skinny: It was home, sweet home for Lake Zurich last week. The Bears finally got their first win of the season in their first home game of the season. They jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead against Zion-Benton. Lake Zurich's rushing game was humming as both Kyle Roth and Ben Klett each rushed for more than 100 yards. Klett had 2 touchdowns and Roth had one touchdown … Round Lake has struggled offensively this season. The Panthers have scored only 9 points over their first four games and have been shut out the last two weeks. The Round Lake defense has given up 168 points or 42 points per game.
North Chicago Warhawks (1-3) at Grant Bulldogs (0-4)
When: 1 p.m., Saturday
Last week: North Chicago lost to Vernon Hills, 50-12; Grant lost to Lakes, 34-14.
Skinny: Grant looks for its first win on Homecoming. The Bulldogs have struggled to put points on the board and are averaging 14.7 points per game. But sophomore running back Kenyon Jones has made a big splash. He was brought up to varsity two weeks ago and has rushed for two straight 100-yard games. He had 103 yards and a touchdown last week against Lakes after 120 yards against Vernon Hills in Week 3 … North Chicago's lone win came against Chicago Robeson in Week 2, 26-23. Since then, the Warhawks have lost two games by an average of 43.5 points per game.
Zion-Benton Zee-Bees (2-2, 0-2) at Warren Blue Devils (2-2, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., today
Last week: Zion-Benton lost to Lake Zurich, 35-12; Warren def. Mundelein, 63-20.
Skinny: Warren has picked up steam since starting the season with losses to Lyons and New Trier. Quarterback Kyle Debevec and wide receiver Jalin Tolbert shined last Saturday in handing Mundelein its first loss of the season. Debevec threw for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns, including three to Tolbert. The Blue Devils also got 3 touchdown runs from Darrius Crump. Zion-Benton has allowed 76 points in back-to-back losses to Libertyville and Lake Zurich, after starting the season with wins over Westosha Central and Waukegan.
Mundelein Mustangs (3-1, 0-1) at Lake Forest Scouts (2-2, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., today
Last week: Mundelein lost to Warren, 63-20; Lake Forest lost to Libertyville, 42-7.
Skinny: Despite giving up 63 points to Warren, Mundelein continued to get production from its offense, namely quarterback Colten Fisher. The senior scored 2 more touchdowns, giving him 10 for the season to go along with 946 yards rushing.
Lakes Eagles (2-2, 2-0) at Wauconda Bulldogs (1-3, 1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., today
Last week: Lakes def. Grant, 34-14; Wauconda lost to Stevenson, 20-7.
Skinny: Quarterback Jordan Mercure had a big game as Lakes beat Grant last Saturday. The two-year starting quarterback threw for a school-record 309 yards to become the school's all-time leader in career passing yards (2,546). His 30 TD passes are also a school mark. The Eagles have won their last 23 games in NSC Prairie action. Wauconda got 107 yards rushing from Jacob Bicknase in its loss to Stevenson last Friday night.