Scouting Vernon Hills @ Glenbard South

Vernon Hills (8-2) at Glenbard South (8-2)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Last week: No. 3 Glenbard South def. No. 14 Rochelle, 35-14; No. 6 Vernon Hills def. No. 11 Brooks, 48-0.

Playoff experience: Vernon Hills is making its fifth straight playoff appearance and its eighth in the 10-year history of the school. In 2001, the Cougars made their deepest run into the playoffs, advancing to the Class 5A quarterfinals where they were defeated by Rochelle, 46-16. Last year, Vernon Hills lost to Grant in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, 32-31, in overtime. ... Glenbard South is in the playoffs for the 11th time and third straight year. Last season, the Raiders advanced to the Class 6A quarterfinals, where they lost to Antioch, 28-27.

Skinny: This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs, each of which played on what was essentially neutral, artificial turf last week in their playoff openers because their grass fields were not playable due to heavy rainfall. Glenbard South hosted Rochelle at Glenbard North, while Vernon Hills played Brooks at Libertyville. ... Glenbard South scored on its first two offensive possessions against Rochelle, with quarterback Trace Wanless busting off a 53-yard touchdown run and running back Connor Douglas reaching the end zone from 21 yards out. Wanless (6-0, 185) added an 11-yard TD run and finished with 112 rushing yards in addition to throwing 2 passes for scores. The previous week, in helping the Raiders earn a share of the Western Sun championship with Geneva, Wanless piled up 262 yards and 2 TDs on the ground on 24 carries. "He's a very talented young man," Vernon Hills coach Tony Monken said. "He runs really well and throws really well. He definitely gives you a lot to think about." Douglas is another threat who can make plays. "He's really fast," Monken said. "They run their jet sweep with him and they like to throw to him." Wanless and Douglas should challenge a Cougars defense that, counting a Week-3 forfeit win over North Chicago, has 4 shutouts. The leaders include linebackers E.J. Lannan (92 tackles, 4 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles), Austin Miller (7 tackles for loss, 21/2 sacks), Chris Morgan (67 tackles, 3 forced fumbles) and Art Royzengurt (6 TFL), and defensive backs DaVaris Daniels and Evan Spencer (2 interceptions each). ... Daniels and Spencer are also Vernon Hills' two big playmakers on offense. Spencer scored his team-best 11th touchdown on a punt return against Brooks last Saturday. He's scored 5 rushing TDs and 5 receiving touchdowns. Fullback Brian Palmer (522 rushing yards, 5.6 per carry) and Spencer (353 yds., 13.1 avg.) led the Cougars' option attack that's operated by sophomore quarterback Steve Nelson. Glenbard South's defense boasts senior linebacker Nick Slezak (6-2, 190), who was in on 19 tackles against Rochelle. "He's one of those guys who looks like he can play for anybody," Monken said. "He's a football player."

Up next: Winner gets the winner of No. 7 Woodstock at No. 15 Lakes.