Scouting Libertyville @ Stevenson
Libertyville (4-2, 2-1) at Stevenson (6-0, 4-0)
When7:30 p.m. today
Last week Libertyville def. Lakes, 35-17; Stevenson def. Zion-Benton, 35-7.
Skinny Always one of the best games of the season in Lake County, Libertyville-Stevenson takes on a bit of added meaning this year with Stevenson being undefeated and inching toward the North Suburban Lake Division crown. "It adds an extra incentive for us. We're hoping to derail the Stevenson Express," Libertyville coach Randy Kuceyeski said. "Plus, we want to continue our winning streak. If we want a shot at the conference championship, we're going to have to beat these guys." After losing its second and third games of the season, to Carmel and Lake Forest, respectively, the Wildcats have strung together three-straight victories, mostly because the defense has been on its game. "Defensively, we came alive the last two weeks," Kuceyeski said. "We gave up one touchdown with our first unit the last two games. And that gave more opportunities for our offense and it gave us better field position. I don't think we've made any major changes, we're just executing the game plan better."-Libertyville got 2 touchdowns out of James Zotto last week, on a 16-yard pass from quarterback A.J. Schurr and on an 8-yard run. Senior running back Nick McDowell started Libertyville's scoring with a 57-yard touchdown run-Speaking of impressive rushing efforts, Stevenson got yet another one last week from fullback Mark Weisman. He rolled up 165 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 carries last week. But the balanced Patriots were once again just that as quarterback Kevin Earl completed 8 passes for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. "This is one of the most balanced teams Stevenson has had," Kuceyeski said. "They run the ball well, they throw the ball well. Our best defense may be keeping our offense on the field with sustained drives."-But clock management has been Stevenson's forte this season. The Patriots have been known to put together nine-minute drives like it's nothing. "Our focus has been there every week and this week probably even more," Stevenson coach Bill Mitz said. "This is a big game, and it's homecoming. There's a buzz in school and on our team."