Scouting Harlan at Vernon Hills

No. 13 Chicago Harlan Falcons (6-3) at No. 4 Vernon Hills Cougars (8-1)

When: 7 p.m., today

Last week: Chicago Harlan lost to Chicago Curie, 28-0; Vernon Hills def. North Chicago, 55-6.

Playoff history: This is Chicago Harlan's third straight playoff appearance and also its third in school history. Vernon Hills is making its sixth straight playoff appearance and its ninth in school history. Last year, the Cougars lost in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs to Glenbard South, 33-27.

Head coaches: Keith Brookshire, Chicago Harlan; Tony Monken, Vernon Hills

Fast facts: Chicago Harlan finished second in the Chicago Public Illini Land of Lincoln Conference. The Falcons have lost two of their last three games. They score 28.6 points and allow 16.2 points per game. Vernon Hills won its second straight outright North Suburban Conference Prairie Division championship by scoring a division-best 40.6 points per game and having the stingiest defense in the state. The Cougars gave up their first points of the season just two weeks ago in a 21-0 loss to Lake Forest. Prior to that, they boasted seven shutouts in seven games. Overall, Vernon Hills is giving up just 3 points per game.

Vernon Hills leaders: Rushing: Brian Palmer, 90 carries for 533 yards and 10 touchdowns; DaVaris Daniels Daniels, 41 carries for 396 yards and 7 touchdowns. Passing: Chris Argianas, 19 of 44 attempts for 415 yards, 1 interception and 6 touchdowns. Receiving: DaVaris Daniels, 14 receptions for 344 yards and 4 touchdowns; Evan Spencer, 14 receptions for 264 yards and 5 touchdowns. Tackles: Brian Palmer, 51 tackles; Austin Miller, 48 tackles.

Line on Chicago Harlan: “They give you a lot to prepare for,” Vernon Hills coach Tony Monken said of Harlan. “Multiple formations on offense and multiple sets on defense. They have good size and great team speed and their quarterback is a playmaker.”

Line on Vernon Hills: With two Division I receivers (DaVaris Daniels, Notre Dame and Evan Spencer, Ohio State) and a defense that pitched seven straight shutouts to begin the season, the Cougars have plenty of weapons for a long post-season run. “We're a very focused and intense group right now and we're a week or two away from having everyone completely healthy,” Monken said. “We'll need to adjust quickly to how (Harlan) tries to attack us and take care of the football.”