It's all Spencer, Vernon Hills in rout of Chicago Raby

Nobody could have imagined just how big a mismatch Friday night's nonconference football game between host Vernon Hills and Chicago Raby could become.

But from the opening whistle the Cougars jumped all over the out-manned Raiders as Vernon Hills scored early and often, in just about every possible way, and dominated Raby to the tune of a 56-0 halftime lead while never making a single extra-point conversion.

From there the second half was scoreless, and the Cougars would just coast to a very lopsided 56-0 victory over Raby as they used free substitution from very early in the contest.

The running clock actually started after Vernon Hills senior Evan Spencer went 48 yards down the right sideline on a punt return for the touchdown and a 44-0 lead with 4:42 left in the first quarter.

That TD culminated a huge but brief offensive night for Spencer, who started the onslaught by scoring on a 12-yard run for a 6-0 lead only 40 seconds into the game. A 51-yard pass from Steve Nelson to senior DaVaris Daniels had taken the ball to the 7 before a 5-yard penalty on Vernon Hills (2-0) put the ball on the 12.

Spencer's 19-yard TD reception from Nelson made the score 12-0 with 10:29 left in the first quarter before Daniels out-battled two defenders for a 37-yard TD catch near the right pylon for an 18-0 lead with 9:14 to go in the first quarter.

Then came the real back-breaker for Raby (0-2) as Spencer intercepted a pass in the flat before racing 30 yards for the TD and a commanding 24-0 lead just 15 seconds later. The Raiders only had 25 players in uniform.

After Spencer's interception, it was Daniels' turn to take an interception to the house as Daniels leaped high for the interception before going the distance for a 45-yard return and a 30-0 advantage.

Then if things could not get any worse, Raby quarterback Christopher Covington was tackled in his own end zone for a safety on the Raiders next possession as Vernon Hills' lead ballooned to 32-0 with still 7:22 left in the first quarter.

"We executed like we had in practice and we knew if we executed we could put up a score like this," said the Ohio State-bound Spencer. "It was like however we could get them, we took them."

Raby was overwhelmed in the unbelievable first quarter as Vernon Hills senior Brian Palmer went 20 yards up the middle for the TD on the Cougars' next possession to make the score 38-0.

After Spencer's punt return made it 44-0, Vernon Hills junior Jarrett Wood got into the act as Wood bolted 80 yards down the right sideline for the TD and an amazing 50-0 lead with 3:46 left in the second quarter.

Senior quarterback Chris Argianas put the finishing touches on the Cougars' scoring as Argianas scored on an 11-yard keeper running left for a 56-0 lead 18 seconds before intermission.

"We had it rolling, and when we get rolling like that we're pretty good," said Vernon Hills coach Tony Monken. "I didn't think it would be like this, and we wanted to take the ball away."

"There were a few that they gave away, but we definitely have to work on our kicking game," added Monken. "We came out and did what we had to do. DaVaris and Spencer showed how explosive they are and if they get in the open field they are going to score."

Nelson had a perfect 3-for-3 night passing for 127 yards while Raby had negative 23 yards rushing overall.