Lake County football previews

Class 6A

No. 2 Antioch (11-0) at No. 6 Glenbard South (9-2)

Game time: 3 p.m. Saturday

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Last week: Antioch def. Highland Park 35-34 (OT); Glenbard South def. Hubbard 14-7

Advancement: Winner will play either No. 13 Grant (8-3) or No. 1 Lemont (11-0)

Scouting Antioch: No. 5 continues to earn high fives. Cameron White scored 3 more touchdowns - including the game-winner in overtime - and rushed for 194 more yards as the Sequoits used a goal-line stand on a two-point conversion to earn their first state quarterfinal berth since 1985. While White has rushed for 1,577 yards and scored a school-record 34 touchdowns (31 rushing), fullback Steve Lorenzini has been the Sequoits' workhorse. Lorenzini has carried the ball a team-high 172 times (52 more carries than White) for 1,077 yards. Antioch leaned heavily on White against Highland Park, as he had a season-high 21 carries. Antioch averages 42.9 points per game with its option offense directed by quarterback Matt Romani. Defensively, the Sequoits yield an average of 17.5 points per game. While they haven't always been stellar, they often have come up with a big play when needed. Antioch - 0-9 just two years ago - is making its first playoff appearance since 2005 in hopes of reaching the semifinals for the third time. Unbeaten in the regular season for the first time since 1983, a win would break the program record for victories.

Scouting Glenbard South: The Raiders are seeking their school-record 10th win and first state semifinal berth. In front of a live statewide audience on Comcast SportsNet Chicago, it won't be easy. Defensively, linemen Austin Teitsma, Kevin Marshall, Branden Shustar and Billy Trakas, linebacker Louis Erkins, and safety Ryan McKean shut down Hubbard's run game in the second half of last week's 14-7 second-round win. It forced the Greyhounds to pass the ball, which is when Kevin O'Brien and a fierce pass rush had a field day by notching 4 second-half sacks. The Raiders' two losses, against still-unbeaten Glenbard West and Geneva, came to run-dominant teams. The goal against the Sequoits is similar to those games: keep their offense off the field, get out to a lead and force them to pass the ball. To make it happen, the Raiders must be much better offensively than they were against Hubbard. Before rallying in the second half, the Raiders managed only 3 first downs and 54 total yards. With Curtis Ford establishing the ground game, pushing him to 992 rushing yards on the season, the offense finally got moving in the second half. Trace Wanless, who's thrown for 1,149 yards, 18 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, completed his last 6 passes of the game. The Raiders thrive on offensive diversity with a group that features receivers Nick Slezak and Jon Holland, a team leader with 33 catches, 675 yards and 9 touchdowns.

No. 13 Grant (8-3) at No. 1 Lemont (11-0)

Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday

Radio: WRLR 98.3 FM, (stream broadcast at www.wrlr.fm)

Last week: Grant def. Huntley 28-24; Lemont def. Morgan Park 21-7

Advancement: Winner will play either No. 2 Antioch (11-0) or No. 6 Glenbard South (9-2)

Scouting Grant: The Bulldogs ended the regular season with back-to-back losses but have pulled off two dramatic wins in the state playoffs to earn their first-ever quarterfinal berth. Last year, Grant saw its undefeated season come to end with a 21-7, second-round playoff loss to Lemont, so the Bulldogs are out to exact some revenge. The return of senior wide receiver/safety Tommy Bychowski has made a huge difference for coach Kurt Rous' team. Bychowski missed a month with mono but returned in Week 9. In the playoffs, he scored an overtime touchdown against Vernon Hills and caught the game-winning conversion. Against Huntley, Bychowski rushed for 2 TDs, including the game-winner from a yard out on a pitch from quarterback Justin Cokefair, whose knee nearly touched the ground first. Bychowski sealed the win with his third interception of the season. Junior fullback Dan Hourihan needs 37 rushing yards to hit the 1,000 mark. He and his classmate Cokefair (726 rushing yards) have scored 11 and 12 touchdowns, respectively, to lead the offense. Defensively, the Bulldogs have received huge seasons from linemen John King and Bud Staton, each of whom has a remarkable 19 tackles for loss. They're also the team's top two overall tacklers, as King has amassed 72 (53 solo) and Staton 65 (45 solo). Both start on the offensive line, as well.

Scouting Lemont: Coach Eric Michaelsen's Indians, who won the South Suburban Blue, are seeking their second win over a North Suburban Conference team in the playoffs. They beat Lake Forest 39-14 in Round 1. Lemont averages 35.6 points per game and has been maybe even more impressive defensively, allowing only 80 points (7.3 per game) all season. Running back Danny Hayes has rushed for 1,473 yards and 21 touchdowns. He's complemented by Andrew Tomala (572 yards, 11 TDs). Fullback Tyler Burns has added 5 touchdowns. Quarterback Nick Lawrence is a threat on the ground, as well, as he's rushed for 413 yards and 7 scores. Lawrence will throw the ball, too, with sophomore Lee Taylor (6 TDs) being a player Grant's secondary has to cover tightly. Lemont reached the Class 6A state championship game last year, losing to Joliet Catholic.

Class 7A

No. 4 Carmel (10-1) at No. 1 Geneva (11-0)

Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Radio: WKRS 1220 AM (stream broadcast www.wkrs.com)

Last week: Carmel def. Woodstock 10-7; Geneva def. Rockton Hononegah 46-28

Advancement: Winner will play either No. 2 Cary-Grove (11-0) or No. 6 Crystal Lake South (9-2)

Scouting Geneva: Vikings senior Michael Ratay is one of the state's best running backs. He's rushed for an amazing 2,414 yards (9.6 yards per carry) and an equally stunning 39 touchdowns. Dating back to last year, Ratay is aiming for his 18th consecutive game of 100-plus rushing yards. Against Hononegah, for the second time in two years, Ratay pulled off a "TD trifecta," rushing for 3 scores, catching a touchdown pass and throwing one on a halfback option. Fullback Drew Fagot (78 carries, 524 yards, 5 touchdowns) and the Vikings offensive line pave the way for Ratay while junior quarterback Brandon Beitzel (73-of-131, 1,111 yards, 9 interceptions, 9 touchdowns) has been put in a position to maximize his strengths. Jason Holmes leads the Vikings receivers in receptions (21), yards (364) and touchdowns (5).

Scouting Carmel: The Corsairs received good news a day before their game against Woodstock last Friday night when starting quarterback Andrew Nerup was cleared to play after missing just one game - the team's playoff opener against Wheeling - with mono. "He probably had it (for two weeks) before we even recognized it, because he was cleared in two weeks," coach Andy Bitto said. "He's a tough kid. He was feeling sick, and what the heck did I know." With Carmel leading Woodstock only 3-0 in the third quarter, Bitto called on Nerup, who immediately directed the Corsairs to their only touchdown. For the season, Nerup has rushed for 671 yards and 12 TDs. Fullback Mike Taylor (1,474 yards, 16 TDs) leads the rushing attack and is complemented by Eric Stevenson (456 yards), who's played a more prominent role in the offense as the season's progressed. Neither Taylor (5-8, 185) nor Stevenson (5-4, 155) intimidate physically, but both players are perfect fits in Carmel's option offense. The Corsairs attempted only 3 passes against Woodstock and didn't complete one. QBs Nerup (43) and Larry Amato (6) have thrown only 49 passes all season. The defense is led by Jake Sinkovec (4 interceptions, 77 tackles), Patrick Cox (2 interceptions, 76 tackles), Ryan Hrabak (67 tackles, 2 interceptions), Matt Tripicchio (55 tackles) and Al Scudder (52 tackles, 3 sacks) and Steven Lester (6 sacks).