Scouting: Lake Co. Week 6
Mundelein (0-5, 0-2) at Lake Zurich (2-3, 1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Mundelein lost to Lake Forest, 36-0; Lake Zurich lost to Warren, 17-14.
Outlook: Lake Zurich is in the unfamiliar position of having lost two straight games. The defending Class 7A state champs lost only once last year and twice in 2006, but they now take on a winless Mustangs team that has scored just 24 points, easily the fewest of any team in the North Suburban Conference. Bears sophomore Jacob Brinlee had his best game of the season against Warren, catching 6 passes, including two for touchdowns, from Tanner Witt.
- Joe Aguilar
North Chicago (1-4, 0-2) at Lakes (1-4, 0-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: North Chicago lost to Libertyville, 49-32; Lakes lost to Vernon Hills, 39-17.
Outlook: It's a must-win game for both North Suburban Prairie Division teams, as the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
Lakes, which has lost four straight, runs the ball with veteran Josh Gaido (367 rushing yards, 4.6 average) and throws it with Justin Hotle (season-high 229 passing yards vs. Vernon Hills). North Chicago QB DeShawn Chambliss passed for 424 yards and 3 touchdowns against Libertyville.
- Joe Aguilar
Lake Forest (3-2) at Wauconda (3-2)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Lake Forest def. Mundelein, 36-0; Wauconda lost to Antioch, 21-14.
Outlook: Wauconda tries to bounce back in this North Suburban Conference crossover from its homecoming loss to Antioch last Saturday. Brett McKenzie rushed for 165 yards and both Wauconda touchdowns. Despite being shut out by Stevenson in Week 3, Lake Forest, behind QB Tom Rees, averages 25.6 points per game. The Scouts also give up an average of 24.4 points per contest.
- Joe Aguilar
Warren (4-1, 3-0) at Zion-Benton (0-5, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Warren def. Lake Zurich, 17-14; Zion-Benton lost to Stevenson, 35-19.
Outlook: Warren, which is tied for first place with Stevenson in the North Suburban Lake Division, looks to win its fourth in a row against a Zion-Benton team that has yielded 199 points. Warren sophomore running back Tom Lindal has rushed for 506 yards (6.7 average) and 8 touchdowns, while quarterback Zach Shaw has throw for 554 yards and 4 scores, three to wide receiver Ryan Maguire, who has 29 receptions. Linebacker Aaron Montgomery has 3 interceptions.
- Joe Aguilar
Round Lake (0-5, 0-3) at Vernon Hills (5-0, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Round Lake lost to Grant, 42-7; Vernon Hills def. Lakes, 39-17.
Outlook: Vernon Hills rolled again last Friday night, despite being down 10-0 at halftime. With DaVaris Daniels catching a pair of touchdown passes from PJ Marsek, the Cougars scored 26 points in the third quarter. Daniels also had 2 interceptions. Ernie Choi (558 rushing yards, 7.3 average, 4 TDs), Marsek (345 yds., 5 TDs) and Seb Evans (295 yds., 5 TDs) lead the Cougars' ground game. Vernon Hills averages 36.6 points per game, while Round Lake allows an average of nearly 40 per game.
- Joe Aguilar