Scouting Kaneland at Burlington Central

Kaneland at Burlington Central

Game time: 7 p.m. today.

Last year: Kaneland 35, Burlington Central 0.

Outlook: It'll be tough for Kaneland to top last-year's nonconference opener against the Rockets. Kaneland quarterback Joe Camiliere completed 13 of 27 passes for 318 yards, no interceptions and 3 touchdowns, including a 23-yarder to returning receiver Taylor Andrews. The senior quarterback added 35 yards rushing with touchdown runs of 2 and 11 yards. Overall the Knights outgained Burlington 411 yards to 110. Yet a couple Rockets also return from a 3-6 season, 2-3 in the Big Northern East, including last year's quarterback Tim Maroder and fellow senior Tre Llanes, who ran for 54 of Burlington Central's 77 yards on the ground. Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly has heard Maroder will move to running back this season, so he's not banking on anything, including a veer from the Rockets' typical I-formation. "We may see something different," Fedderly said. Burlington Central is assured to see a lot of Camiliere going to the air, but Fedderly will also want to see what the Knights can do running the ball with Blake Serpa and Camiliere going behind new linemen such as Ryan Noel, Sam Komel, sophomore Nick Sharp and big (6-0, 250) freshman Alex Snyder. Especially when mistakes often accompany youth and inexperience, particularly in the opener. "We just want to be 1-0," Fedderly said. "I don't care if we win by one point or whatever, but in order to do that we've got to take care of the ball. We can't beat ourselves with penalties and turnovers."

Next week: Kaneland at Huntley, Sept. 3; Burlington Central at Sycamore, Sept. 3.