Scouting: Jacobs @ Cary-Grove

Jacobs (1-3, 0-0) at Cary-Grove (4-0, 0-0)

When Saturday at 1 p.m. at Al Bohrer Field

Last year Cary-Grove 41, Jacobs 0

Last week Grayslake Central 20, Jacobs 0; Cary-Grove 56, Woodstock North 0

Outlook Cary-Grove, ranked No. 3 in this week's AP Class 6A poll, looks to extend its winning ways in its annual Saturday matinee homecoming game. Jacobs, smarting from a shutout loss last week - its third straight defeat - hopes to get back on track in the Valley Division opener for both Fox Valley Conference teams. The Trojans and Golden Eagles run the same offense (triple option) and defense (3-3-5). "They look a lot like us," Trojans coach Bruce Kay said. "In practice we're looking in a mirror." Cary-Grove, which dabbled in the triple option during the 1990s, has been running the same offensive scheme since 2004 with great success. However, statistics like those of running back Alex Hembrey (30 carries, 371 yds., 7 TDs), fullback Eric Chandler (31-214-4), quarterback Tyler Krebs (43-255-4) and wide receiver Chad McCarron (8 rec., 164 yds., 3 TDs) tell only half the story since Cary-Grove has put a running clock on its opponent by the third quarter of every game. The starting lineup was on the field for only 26 plays last week in a blowout at Woodstock North. "You could look at it and say maybe we haven't had the competition we need to develop, but Crystal Lake Central is 3-1 now and Marian Central is 2-2," Kay pointed out. "But the way we look at it is that our guys are very fresh. If I felt that our fundamentals were sloppy and we were fumbling the ball and turning it over and things like that, then I would say maybe we were lackadaisical. But when we've played our play has been very sharp." Jacobs is led by senior rushers Ben Albano (63 carries, 263 yards, 2 TDs), Dale Cook (36-195, 1 TD) and sophomore quarterback Jason Judson (18 of 40, 229 yds., 1 TD). Sophomore Caz Zyks will play safety for the second straight game in place of Alec Starr, who broke his ankle in Jacobs' Week 3 homecoming game. Though the Trojans have run roughshod over four straight opponents and haven't lost to a division or conference opponent since 2003, the Golden Eagles aren't conceding anything. Said Jacobs coach Dean Schlueter: "We want to approach this game the same way we approach every game - we're going to prepare to win. We're going to play every play hard. We take the thinking that anything can happen in a football game at any time. That's always been how we're going to think and that's how we're going to play every weekend, no matter what opponent we're going to play. They're a very good football team. They have a great program. Bruce and his staff and their players over the years have done a really great job. It'll be a great challenge and we're looking forward to it. I'm proud of our effort. We're doing a lot of right things. We're making some mistakes at some points and it seems to be hurting us, but I'll tell you what - we're not giving up."