Lake Forest turns the tables on VH
Friday night played out as the ultimate irony in the North Suburban divisional crossover contest between visiting Lake Forest and Vernon Hills.
The host Cougars had yet to yield a point through the first seven weeks of the 2010 football season, while the defense for Lake Forest had not been quite as stingy, giving up an average of 22 points.
Yet when the two faced off in a much-anticipated contest at Vernon Hills, it was the defense of the Scouts that was the difference.
The visitors allowed just 215 total yards on their way to their finest defensive performance of the season – a 21-0 win over previously unbeaten Vernon Hills.
The win was the sixth of the year for Lake Forest (6-2) and secured a second trip on three years to the state playoffs. Vernon Hills fell to 7-1, but can win the NSC Prairie division title outright with a win over North Chicago next week.
But getting the win over the Cougars was just one of two things the Scouts wanted. Putting an end to the Cougars' string of shutouts was next on the list.
With 1:58 remaining in the first quarter, Lake Forest junior Owen Williams weaved through the Vernon Hills defense for a 25-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead. The score ended the remarkable run by the Cougars defense of not having allowed a point in seven straight games.
“It is a bit ironic, said Lake Forest senior linebacker Max Keefe. “We have had some good quarters, some good halfs, but tonight we played a good four quarters. We couldn't be happier.
The initial score by the Scouts seemed to stun the Cougars on offense and on defense. After the second drive of the night by Vernon Hills ended harmlessly at the Lake Forest 30, the Scouts proceeded to move the ball on the Cougar team like no other had all season.
A 14-yard run by Williams (23 Carries, 89 yards), started the long drive. A 20-yard pass from Jordan Beck to Connor Glynn set the stage for Williams long touchdown run.
“I think we got a little flat after (Lake Forest) scored, said Vernon Hills coach Tony Monken. “We talked about it and we were afraid of it, but it happened and I give them a lot of credit. We knew coming in that this was a tough team that did some things offensively that we might get caught on and we did.
Lake Forest didn't stop there. A short punt set the Scouts up with great field position and one play later, PJ Carollo hit Bo Dever on a nifty 29-yard scoring strike and the Scouts were in control 14-0 just before the end of the first quarter.
“At first I think our defense took (the Lake Forest score) as a shock, said Vernon Hills junior lineman Jeremy Brazil. “But after the first quarter we stepped up and didn't give up any points in the second half.
Vernon Hills had one last chance to score, but an interception on a pass thrown by DaVaris Daniels ended the game.