Scouting North Chicago at Wauconda

North Chicago (1-5, 1-2) at Wauconda (1-5, 0-3)

When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: North Chicago lost to Antioch, 56-7; Wauconda lost to Vernon Hills, 48-0.

Skinny: It's a homecoming of sorts for North Chicago coach Glen Kozlowski, who used to be the head coach at Wauconda. His seven-year run there ended just two seasons ago. "Wauconda was my first job," Kozlowski said. "I was there last week scouting and it was nice. I gave a lot of people hugs, had some nice conversations. I love that community and I love the people there. And there are still a lot of kids who I coached on that team."-Kozlowski says that despite the emotions he'll feel, he'll need to have his game face on because his team needs a victory. And so does Wauconda. He figures both teams will come out hungry. "When you're 1-5, you're not playing with a lot of confidence and it's showing for both of these teams," Kozlowski said. "Both sides need a win right now."-Key to a North Chicago victory will be the defense's ability to limit Wauconda quarterback Brian Kent, who injured his knee two weeks ago, but has been one of the most efficient throwers in the North Suburban Conference this season. "To me, he's the best quarterback in the conference, in the county," Kozlowski said of Kent. "I don't know if there are many guys who come close to him because he can throw the ball and run it. We've got to get a body on him and we've got to get pressure on him. He's just very impressive."-Kent and the Wauconda offense should be eager to get back on track. They were held scoreless and to just 118 total yards against first-place Vernon Hills last week."-Speaking of stingy defenses, Wauconda and North Chicago do not fit into that category-Wauconda gives up the most points in the Prairie Division (44.3 points per game) while North Chicago is just behind at 35.5 points per game-.Offensively, North Chicago is a run-first offense led by quarterback Jermaine Garrett and backs Keenan Handy and DeShon Williams. Big receiver Daryle Pearson (6-foot-4) can also be a threat to make big plays.