Lake Zurich 49, Wauconda 6
Lake Zurich senior running back Jon Janus has absorbed a lot of hits over the last few years, but on Friday night he had a moment that scared him completely.
Late in the second quarter, Janus made a run to the left and was tackled after a 5-yard gain. It looked like a typical run for him, but he didn't get up this time. Instead, he was screaming on the ground after what looked like an injury to his knee.
Immediately, several Lake Zurich players summoned the training staff to get on the field to help him.
They looked him over as teammates and fans alike were watched closely. After a few minutes, Janus got up and needed some assistance walking to the sideline.
At the same time, the fans in the stands were chanting "Janus, Janus,"
"I just got chopped," said Janus, who was standing with crutches later in the second half. He had 7 carries for 33 yards before the injury.
"It hurt real bad at first, but I think I'll be OK."
Lake Zurich's football team did have plenty to celebrate as it rolled to a 49-6 victory over Wauconda in a North Suburban crossover in Lake Zurich. The Bears have qualified for the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year and have a 6-1 record.
"Right now, we not sure exactly what it is and we're taking all the precautions in getting it x-rayed," Lake Zurich coach Bryan Stortz said of Janus' injury status. "Jon is an emotional leader on the team. When something like that happens, other guys have to step up.
"Jon wasn't able to play but still was on the sidelines, being the leader that he is. I was pleased with the way the kids responded after that happened."
The Bears' other senior running back, Dan Kalcsics (9 carries, 68 yards), stepped up right after the Janus injury and rushed for an 18-yard score to give the Bears a 28-0 lead three minutes before halftime.
"I felt like I had to do something for my teammate," said Kalcsics, who returned to the lineup after a four-week layoff due to illness. "I went over to him after I scored and wanted to see if he was OK."
Bears quarterback Bobby DeLeo (6-for-13, 93 yards) threw touchdowns to Mark Weinrauch (4 yards) and Pat Gallagher (36 yards) and rushed for a 2-yard score. Adam Simpson (7 carries, 60 yards) scampered for a 13-yard score and Kyle Williams rushed for a 16-yard run. And Mike McGlauchlin had a 21-yard interception for a score.
Wauconda (6-2) got on the board in the fourth quarter, when senior running back Brad Wisniewski (16 carries, 49 yards) scored from 3 yards out.
However, Wisniewski missed the first two Bulldogs possessions and the first half of the first quarter.
"He was hurt this week," Wauconda coach Glen Kozlowski said. "I don't play kids that don't practice. He was nicked up a little bit.
"Lake Zurich is good, and there's a reason why they're one of the top teams in 7A, and they proved it tonight. We're a 5A team and they're up two classes from us. They played hard and scrappy and just overwhelmed us."