Lake County previews, Week 5
NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE
Lake Zurich (3-1, 2-0) at Libertyville (2-2, 0-1)
When: 7:30 p.m., today
Last week: Lake Zurich def. Warren, 39-7; Libertyville def. Vernon Hills, 30-8.
Outlook: Lake Zurich has a score to settle with Libertyville. Libertyville denied the Bears a perfect regular season last year by tagging them with a Week 4 loss at home, 10-9. "We're going to have to play our best game of the year," Libertyville coach Randy Kuceyeski said. "They'll be up for the game and they're a very good team on both sides of the ball again this year." Lake Zurich is coming off a dominating win over Warren, which would have had just 29 rushing yards for the game. But sophomore running back Greg Kennedy exploded for a 90-yard touchdown run late in the game against Lake Zurich's reserves. "They stop the run very well," Kuceyeski said. "And up until last week, we were struggling to move the ball. We did better (against Vernon Hills). I think we have to establish our ground game, but I think we're going to have to throw a little bit on Lake Zurich, too."...The Wildcats may look again to veteran running back Tim Matheson, who became the lead back last week when Skyler Shaw went down with an injury in the first quarter. Matheson finished with 2 touchdowns, including one for 66 yards. Shaw is questionable for this game...Libertyville's defense will have its hands full trying to stop a Lake Zurich offense that rolled up 486 yards on Warren. Quarterback Bobby DeLeo had perhaps his best game of the season with 2 touchdowns and 118 passing yards. "We need to keep them off the field by holding onto the ball offensively," Kuceyeski said. "But our defense will be ready. We've been playing well defensively this year."
Stevenson (1-3, 1-1) at Mundelein (2-2, 0-1)
When: 6:30 p.m. today
Last week: Stevenson d. Zion-Benton 45-14; Mundelein lost to Lake Forest 34-7
Outlook: The Patriots got their first win of the season last Friday night to avoid their first 0-4 start since 1987. Tonight, they get running back Geoffrey Matthews. The senior, who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season, has missed the Patriots' first four games with a knee injury. "It'll be good to see No. 7 back in the backfield," coach Bill Mitz said. Matthews should add life to the Patriots' running game, just as sophomore Mark Weissman did against Zion-Benton. In his varsity debut, Weissman rushed 18 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. He's up on varsity for good, Mitz said. The bad news for Stevenson is, veteran running back Steven Haynes suffered a shoulder injury against Z-B and will not play tonight. Mitz said middle linebacker Lucas Peilet and safety Scott Muttilainen have stood out defensively. Wide receiver Dan Morales has 14 receptions. "He's gotten hit and bounced right back up and caught them again," Mitz said. Mundelein is led offensively by running back Jamell Ross (222 rushing yards) and quarterback Michael Petlak (336 passing yards). Kevin Joy, Tyler Kennedy, Anthony Gianaras, Alan Cuna and Adam Avalos lead the defense.
Zion-Benton (1-3, 0-2) at Warren (1-3,1-1)
When: 7 p.m. today
Last week: Zion-Benton lost to Stevenson 45-14; Warren lost to Lake Zurich 39-7
Outlook: Which Warren team will show up? The one that stunned Libertyville 32-17 in Week 3? Or the one that trailed Maine South 40-0 at halftime and Lake Zurich 32-0 after three quarters? The Blue Devils' only touchdown against Lake Zurich came compliments of sophomore running back Greg Kennedy, who broke off a 91-yard run. Kennedy has had a strong season in his varsity debut, rushing for 387 yards (6.7 average) and 4 scores, including one on a kickoff return. Zion-Benton's only win was by a 31-0 decision over Niles West in Week 2. Zee-Bees quarterback Anthony Scott came off the bench against Stevenson to throw for 250 yards.
NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE
Lakes (1-3, 0-2) at North Chicago (2-2, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. today
Last week: Lakes lost to Grant 29-0; North Chicago d. Round Lake 21-12
Outlook: Lakes has lost three straight, something the Eagles didn't do all last season in earning a playoff berth in their second year as a varsity program. Lakes was shut out last Friday night for the first time since a Week-5 loss to Grant two years ago. The Eagles will be facing a North Chicago team that snapped a two-game losing streak against Round Lake. The Warhawks have a dynamic player in junior wide receiver Marquise Miller. North Chicago has to play with more discipline, as it has been flagged for double-digit penalties two weeks in a row. North Chicago is 2-0 lifetime against Lakes, winning 50-21 last year and 56-14 two years ago.
Vernon Hills (2-2, 1-0) at Round Lake (1-3, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. today
Last week: Vernon Hills lost to Libertyville 30-8; Round Lake lost to North Chicago 21-12
Outlook: With its North Suburban Conference crossover out of the way, Vernon Hills can now resume focusing on the NSC Prairie portion of its schedule. The Cougars have scored only 45 points in their last three games, after putting up 43 in a win over Niles West on Opening Night. Round Lake has lost two in a row, but running back Ray Bryant continues to have a productive season. He's rushed for 648 yards (8.9 average) and 5 touchdowns. Cameron Gillespie has gained 339 yards on just 32 carries (12.4 average) and has scored 4 TDs. Vernon Hills has defeated Round Lake the last five years.