Scouting Lake County Week 1 football games
Grant at Mundelein
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Scouting this game: Our Lake County Blue Plate Special of the Week. Grant is on the upswing — a 6-4 mark and a playoff appearance in 2023 while starting 10 sophomores, including quarterback Matthew Gipson and tailback Tyler Zdon. “Matthew had a great offseason and worked really hard to grasp the offense and understand what we need him to do,” Bulldogs coach Tim Norwood noted. “We worked really hard on Tyler’s vision and being able to read a defense. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.” Senior free safety Anthony Koza is back after missing the second half of the season with a busted wrist. “He has emerged as a leader on our defense,” Norwood said. Mundelein is under the direction of new coach John Cowhey, previously a longtime assistant in the program. Cowhey pointed out this is the fourth year in a row the two teams, separated by 14 miles, have played each other (Mundelein is 3-0). “We know Grant is hungry and more experienced than ever before,” he said. “The line of scrimmage will be very important and our goal is to win the battle up front.” Cowhey, who likes his team’s depth and the potential for many contributors, has been impressed with new, young juniors in quarterback Logan Young, right tackle Cutler Wyss, as well as senior outside linebacker Ian Murray.
Grayslake North at Vernon Hills
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Scouting this game: An early-bird start time as the Knights head into Vernon Hills with 18 of 22 starters from last year’s squad returning. North junior linebacker-running back Eli Woyat played as a freshman, started on offense last year and is now playing on both sides. Coach Brian Johnson said junior RB-CB Isaac Rios had a really good camp and has earned a spot, while senior offensive lineman Caiden O’Brien “has the intellect to excel in our line calls,” he said. “His pass protection has always been stellar and his run blocking is greatly improved.” North has won the last two matchups against VH. Giuseppe Urso has drawn rave reviews during Cougars training camp. “He’s a veteran player and is practicing like it,” Vernon Hills coach Bill Bellecomo said. “He goes hard all the time. This young man has a high motor.” MIKE linebacker Alex Sarantos will be the Cougars’ leader on defense, Bellecomo added, while Leo Peszek starts his third season at right offensive tackle. “Leo will be the leader of our offensive line and is ready to have a great senior year,” he said.
Carmel at Grayslake Central
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Scouting this game: Carmel rolls into Grayslake with highly touted sophomore quarterback Trae Taylor (offers already from multiple major Division I schools), while Central looks to be poised to take the next step. “Our team has had a good summer and has come to appreciate what it means to truly be teammates and a team,” Rams coach Brent Pearlman said. “I am proud of our guys for being open to a ton of information and their willingness to listen and make necessary changes. I think we have the tools and skillset to be a good team. Now, it’s in our guys’ hands.” Pearlman lauded the efforts of juniors Nick Norberg and Logan Randazzo, along with senior Isiah Allen. “Nick is one of those players who consistently plays just a shade over his talent level,” he explained. “His determination and courage are a huge part of the player he is becoming. Isiah has come back with a chip on his shoulder and is playing extremely well. Logan is one of those guys who is the foundation of all great teams. He is the definition of teammate.”
Hersey at Warren
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Scouting this game: A heavyweight matchup with Hersey coming off a 10-1 season against a Warren squad that went 9-3 with many key players returning.. Warren coach Bryan McNulty has high praise for Hersey QB and UCLA commit Colton Gumino. “He throws the ball as well as any kid I’ve seen at the high school level since JJ McCarthy,” he said. “We will have to be ready for their diverse offense.” McNulty was thrilled with the Blue Devils’ offseason progress. Athlete X’Zavion Montgomery is a three-year varsity player as a junior. “He is explosive in all three phases of the game,” McNullty said. The coach added junior linebacker Royce Lopez is as intense of a player as he’s ever coached. “He’s a tough kid,” McNulty said. Senior defensive lineman David O’Connell, “has had one of the biggest improvements we have seen in a while.”
Hinsdale South at Wauconda
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Scouting this game: Wauconda is coming off an 8-3 season and has the long-term goal this season to set a new school record with a fourth playoff appearance in a row. First up, Hinsdale South out of the West Suburban Gold. The Hornets went 4-5 last year, losing to Wauconda 14-10 in the 2023 opener. “We will need to be solid in our blocking and consistent in moving the ball down field. Defensively, we need to disrupt their passing game and then be ready for the quarterback to scramble. They like to pull their lineman, so we need to be strong in our fits,” Bulldogs coach Chris Prostka said. Prostka pointed out Noah Kosiek has had a strong start to the fall and a great summer, competing for a starting defensive spot and taking reps at quarterback. He also likes the progress of Nathan Pilaski, who has stepped up as a vocal team member and is willing to play multiple positions. Anthony Medrano started several games in 2023, “and that experience is showing as he prepares to take on a bigger role this year,” Prostka said.
Lakes at Lake Forest
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Scouting this game: Another NLCC-NSC encounter with an interesting back story. Both coaching staffs, Lakes coach Jason Ellerman explained, have some crossover having worked together in the early 2000s at St. Patrick High School in Chicago. “We know each other well,” he said. “Lake Forest is a very well-coached team. They are going to be physical at the line of scrimmage and they have a lot of players with experience. We need to control the time of possession to shorten the game and win the turnover battle.” The Scouts made it to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs last season. For Lakes, Brayden Thornton will start on both lines. “He has stepped up in a leadership role and is a true commander for our team,” Ellerman said. Ellerman noted Mason Crowley has been dynamic with the ball at running back and does well filling the alley when he plays safety. Zach Raffone also has impressed with summer, “making some splash plays,” Ellerman said. Lake Forest won this game last year 37-7.
Stevenson at Kenosha Bradford-Ruether
When: Friday, 5:30 p.m., Kenosha, Wisconsin
Scouting this game: The Patriots won this matchup last year 38-21 at home. Bradford-Ruether finished the 2023 season 4-5. “We played them last year so we have been focused on what they did against us a year ago,” Stevenson coach Brent Becker said. Seniors Griffin Suren, Albert Murillo and Andrew Timmons will be key pieces to the Stevenson puzzle this season. “Griffin, Albert and Andrew are top returners who we are excited to see play,” Becker said. “They had great off-seasons and are team leaders.” Stevenson is 14-6 over the last two seasons. “We have a strong group returning,” Becker said.
Schaumburg at Antioch
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Scouting this game: Schaumburg comes to Antioch after a 2-7 season a year ago. “First games are always tough to gauge,” said Antioch coach Brian Glashagel, whose team went 10-1 last year. “Everyone has made some changes since last fall, so it’ll be a challenge for us to figure it out right away and adjust.” Senior wide receiver Mason Bussone ran track and got faster and stronger, Glashagel noted, “and has had an incredible summer thus far.” Junior running back Jack Bucar ran a 4.5 forty-yard dash, ran track in the off-season, got stronger and worked himself into a starting role, while senior defensive end Alex Bustamante, the coach stated, was really good last season, “but has become almost un-blockable this summer,” Glashagel said. “If we had a summer defensive player of the year award, he definitely would have received it.”
Fremd at Lake Zurich
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Scouting this game: Fremd went 3-6 a year ago, while Lake Zurich reached the 6A semifinals and has gone 22-4 over the last two seasons. “We will find out a lot about ourselves and hopefully prove right, who we think we are,” Bears coach Ron Planz said. Planz is fired up about quarterback Cole Kanyon. “As a senior, he has the keys to the car,” he said. “I am excited to watch him compete.” Look for Jacob Zdanowicz to be a force on the defensive line. “He worked very hard this offseason,” Planz said. “When you have guys that work that hard, you hope it translates to the field and in Jacob’s case it did.” Planz added wide receivers Reece Katzenberger and Michael Boenzi made strides over the summer. “Both have been very solid with route running, blocking and catching the ball,” he said. “They have worked hard to position themselves as important pieces to our puzzle.”
Round Lake at West Chicago
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Scouting this game: Panthers coach Matt Milazzo noted West Chicago brings many players back from a playoff team a year ago. “We will have to keep their quarterback from finding a crease because he can go the distance on any play,” he said. “We will need to tackle well and be disciplined with our reads and option responsibilities. On offense, we need to protect the ball and sustain drives to keep their offense off the field.” Two-way lineman Will Cole will play a big role for Round Lake. “Will is a terrific athlete who is coming into his own as a leader,” Milazzo said. Fellow two-way lineman AJ Wiesner hit the weight room hard and was voted a team captain, while linebacker/athlete Aldo Vega will be counted on many roles. “He’s a team-first captain,” Milazzo said.
Other Lake County Week 1 Games
Lemont at Libertyville, 7 p.m.