Brinlee, Lake Zurich rocket past Vernon Hills into playoffs

The Lake Zurich offense runs a play called "28 Rocket," and it seems likely it was named after Bears junior Jacob Brinlee.

The play starts with Brinlee taking the ball on a toss 5 or more yards behind the line of scrimmage. Then with rocket-like speed, Brinlee bursts through the line and is gone in an instant.

On the third play from scrimmage in the Bears' regular-season finale against visiting Vernon Hills, Brinlee took the ball on the rocket sweep and disappeared, only to reappear in the Cougars' end zone.

The 63-yard scamper highlighted a 4-touchdown, 135-yard rushing night as Brinlee helped lead the Bears into the playoffs with a 42-0 drubbing of visiting Vernon Hills.

Lake Zurich improved to 6-3 overall and automatically qualifies for the Class 7A playoffs.

"It means a lot to keep the playoff streak going," Brinlee said of the Bears earning their eighth straight trip to the postseason. "This is a good program, and I know we all took it to heart after the Warren loss because we wanted to make the playoffs."

Vernon Hills (7-2) saw its six-game win streak end, but the North Suburban Prairie champions will still move on to the Class 5A playoffs next week.

"That's a real, real good football team over there in Lake Zurich," said Vernon Hills coach Tony Monken. "We played this one straight tonight. We came out to play and to try and get some things done. We just couldn't get anything going."

After the long Brinlee run, the Bears' defense got right into the fun against the short-handed Vernon Hills offense. Playing without junior standout Davaris Daniels, Vernon Hills struggled to hang on to the ball and the opportunistic Bears defense took advantage.

On the third play after the long Brinlee score, sophomore Zach Till intercepted a Cougar pass and set up the offense deep in Vernon Hills territory. Just three plays later, Brinlee hit the end zone for the second time and the Bears were in control at 14-0.

"He is such a competitor," said Bears coach Bryan Stortz. "Jacob is one of the toughest kids we have had and he is very modest and very humble."

Brinlee closed a spectacular first half with a 5-yard scoring run then opened the third quarter with his fourth score of the night from 15 yards out - in the rocket formation, of course.

"That play gives me a much cleaner look at the blocks," Brinlee said. "It also gives me a chance to get a running start."

Lake Zurich limited Vernon Hills to only 100 yards in total offense. The Bears defense also forced five turnovers.