Daniels, Vernon Hills find the time

The two-minute drill on offense is one of the most practiced sequences during each week of preparation at Vernon Hills. With Vernon Hills' two-way star Davaris Daniels running the show, this form of the Cougars' offense, when called upon, can be unstoppable.

Daniels stepped behind center with the Cougars trailing in the later stages of the fourth quarter against visiting Wauconda on Friday night and did his thing. After keeping the game alive on a 12-yard completion to Evan Spencer on fourth down, Daniels took the ball around left end and had a clear path to the end zone. As he neared the goal line, he fumbled into the end zone. Daniels dove on top of the ball securing a 14-yard touchdown run and a 27-20 win for the Cougars.

"I just know that the seniors and my teammates have confidence in me," Daniels said. "There really wasn't any pressure and I didn't feel any pressure to make plays - I just went out and played."

The win gives Vernon Hills a share of the North Suburban Prairie Division title. The win was also the sixth of the season for the Cougars (6-1, 5-0) earning them a spot in the state playoffs. Wauconda dropped to 2-5 overall, 1-3 in the division.

Vernon Hills was pushed to the brink of defeat because of the incredible night had by Wauconda junior Brian Kent. Kent threw for 294 yards and a score, but it was his 25-yard scoring run with 1:34 to play in regulation that gave Wauconda its first lead of the night at 20-19.

"I am so very proud of Brian and the way he played tonight," said Wauconda coach David Mills. "He really grew up tonight and showed signs of the type of kid we know that he can be."

Combined, Kent amassed 373 yards from scrimmage to just 161 total yards for the entire Vernon Hills team.

"We came out with our backs against the wall (on that last drive)," Kent said. "I knew that my guys up front would protect me and that my receivers would catch anything I threw out there. We just came up a little short."

Kent brought the Bulldogs to a pair of fourth-quarter scores. His first drive took all of 21 seconds to complete. His 7-yard scoring strike to Kevin Jones brought the Bulldogs to within 19-13 with 2:17 to go.

Then a fumble on the Cougars' next possession and five more plays gave the Bulldogs the lead - but also gave Daniels time to work his magic.

"We practice the two-minute drill in practice every day," Vernon Hills coach Tony Monken said. "You just hope that you can get the ball into the hands of the best kid at the time that can also get the ball to the best receiver too."

Wauconda had one final chance to win the game by driving all the way back to the Cougar 26. But a hit to Kent by Vernon Hills sophomore Jarrett Wood put an end to the game.