Week 5: Scouting the North Suburban
Warren Blue Devils (1-3, 1-1) at Lake Zurich Bears (3-1, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Warren def. Lake Forest, 46-10; Lake Zurich def. Zion-Benton, 43-26.
Skinny: Warren is trending in the right direction, particularly offensively. The Blue Devils scored their most points of the season last week against Lake Forest (46 points). Each week, Warren has scored more and more points, from 7 points in the season opener, to 14 points in Week 2 to 26 points in Week 3…The Blue Devils chewed up all kinds of yardage on the ground last week against Lake Forest, to the tune of a 343-127 advantage. Senior Mel Pettis led the way with 225 yards on 22 carries while senior Rashad Walker added 105 yards on 16 carries. The two combined for 5 touchdowns, 2 for each rushing and Pettis added a kickoff return for a touchdown…The challenge this week for the Warren offense is a Lake Zurich defense that is the stingiest in the North Suburban Conference. The Bears have allowed only 60 points so far, 15 points per game…Offensively, Lake Zurich got a big game last week out of quarterback Evan Lewandowski. He scored 4 touchdowns, 2 on rushes and 2 on passes. He rolled up 70 rushing yards on 11 carries and completed 7-of-12 passes for 133 yards. Running back Joey Stutzman finished with 90 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Libertyville Wildcats (3-1, 2-0) at Lake Forest Scouts (2-2, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Libertyville def. Waukegan, 40-7; Lake Forest lost to Warren, 46-10.
Skinny: Lake Forest is coming off of two straight losses and is now faced with the task of facing one of the best defenses in the North Suburban Conference. Libertyville has allowed only 67 points on the season, second fewest in the league, just behind Lake Zurich (60 points). Against Waukegan last week, Libertyville gave up only 5 first downs and a total of 125 yards. The Wildcats also forced 4 fumbles and recovered all four…Offensively, quarterback Jack Ruskell had a big day. He completed 10-of-16 passes for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns. He did, however, throw 3 interceptions…Lake Forest quarterback Charlie Reinkemeyer is also coming off a fairly good game. He completed 10-of-26 passes for 149 yards. But he did have 2 interceptions.
Zion-Benton Zee-Bees (2-2, 1-1) at Stevenson Patriots (3-1, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
Last week: Zion-Benton lost to Lake Zurich, 43-26; Stevenson def. Mundelein, 48-6.
Skinny: Stevenson has won 3 straight games and is the No. 1 scoring offense in the North Suburban Conference at 37.3 points per game. But the Patriots are about to meet their match in terms of prolificness. Zion-Benton ranks right behind Stevenson in points per game at 33.5 points per game…Stevenson certainly put its offense on full display last week against Mundelein. The Patriots out-gained Mundelein in total yardage, 424-140. Quarterback Aidan O'Connell continued his special season by completing 9-of-14 passes for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns. Nine different receivers caught passes for the Patriots…Meanwhile, Matt Korinek gave the Patriots balance on the ground. He rolled up 81 yards on 8 carries and scored a touchdown…Zion-Benton quarterback DeAndre Green finished with 124 yards last week.
Mundelein Mustangs (1-3, 0-2) at Waukegan Bulldogs (1-3, 0-2)
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday
Last week: Mundelein lost to Stevenson, 48-6; Waukegan lost to Libertyville, 40-7.
Skinny: Both of these teams have struggled this season and the proof is in the numbers. Waukegan has scored only 60 points on the season, least in the North Suburban Conference while Mundelein has scored the second-fewest points in the league, 70 points. Defensively, Mundelein is allowing 37.5 points per game, most in the league while Waukegan is just behind that at 37.3 points per game…Mundelein mustered only 8 first downs and 140 total yards last week against Stevenson. Quarterback Anthony Norris scored Mundelein's only touchdown, on a 7-yard run…Waukegan managed just 5 first downs and 125 total yards last week against Libertyville. Quarterback Daniel Hill completed 6-of-17 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. He also threw 2 interceptions.