Scouting Week 4 Lake County football games
Lake Zurich (1-2, 1-0) at Libertyville (3-0, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Lake Zurich 29, Libertyville 28
Scouting Lake Zurich: A North Suburban Blue Plate Special this week. The Bears snapped a 2-game skid with a conference win against Waukegan last week in a game that saw Cole Kenyon throw 2 TD passes and Jackson Piggott record a receiving touchdown and return a punt 61 yards for a score. Alex Pirrone and John Howe each had a rushing touchdown, while Reece Katzenberger and Nikolay Oblakov each had a receiving touchdown. Outside linebacker Connor Sole had 2 tackles for loss and Max Maj recovered a fumble. Piggott is up to 16 catches for 236 yards and 3 TDs, while Katzenberger has caught 5 passes for 107 yards and 2 TDs. Sole leads the defense with 30 tackles. “We are still working to find out who we are going to be this year,” Bears coach Ron Planz said. “This week will give us the answer to the question of whether or not we are serious about doing what it takes to achieve the goals we said we have for the season.” Planz likes how Sole has played on defense a third of the way through the schedule. “Connor has been good on defense, not only in the run game but against the pass,” Planz said. “It has good to see him stepping up.” Tyler Szromba and Joe Abatte have drawn high special teams marks. “Tyler and Joe have been great for us,” Planz said. “They bring a lot of energy in games and in practice.”
Scouting Libertyville: The Wildcats were ranked No. 6 in the state in Class 6A by the Associated Press last week and then proceeded to come out of the North Suburban gates swinging with a big 43-14 win over Stevenson. Quinn Schambow threw for 383 yards and 5 touchdowns on just 13 completions and has now thrown for 1,049 yards and 17 scores. Blaise LaVista caught 4 balls for 235 yards and 2 TDs against Stevenson and has 12 catches for 437 yards and 8 TDs through 3 weeks, while Stevan Gavric has 14 catches for 286 yards and 5 TDs. Outside backers Caleb Baczek led the defense in Week 3 with 7 tackles, 3 for loss and 2 quarterback sacks. “I really like how our team has approached the last three games and the maturity we have shown this year,” Cats coach Mike Jones said. Jones noted defensive back Ayden Newby has been a solid and consistent contributor at corner. “Ayden tackles well and understands his role,” Jones said. Offensively, running back Steven Strelow and lineman Andrew Langfeldt have been huge in pass protection, Jones added. “Steven has been solid in pass pro and has given us a consistent run game. Andrew has done a nice job in pass pro, which has given Quinn the opportunity to find open receivers,” he explained.
Stevenson (2-1, 0-1) at Mundelein (3-0, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Stevenson 10, Mundelein 3
Scouting this game: The Mustangs are one of 3 teams in the North Suburban sitting at 3-0 and 1-0 in league play heading into Week 4. In Mundelein’s 17-6 win over Zion last week, Logan Young threw for a touchdown, while Brody Paluch (68 yards rushing) and Carson Cooper (36 receiving yards) each had a touchdown and Jake Junia ran for 58 yards. Junia also was active on defense with 4 tackles, 2 pass breakups and a pick, while Alex Grosvenor had 6 tackles and Ian Murray had 4 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. Young has 2 passing TDs and 2 more rushing 2 TDs through 3 weeks, and Paluch has 175 rushing yards and 3 TDs, Junia 111 rushing yards and 2 TDs and Trevor Carmen 135 receiving yards and 2 TDs. Murray, the team leader in multiple key defensive categories, has 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a forced fumble, while Junia has 3 interceptions and Antonio Vaughn has 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. Coach Johnny Cowhey calls Maddux Hermestroff the leader of the Mundelein defensive backfield and noted he’s also taking reps at slot wide receiver and running back. Drew Berek is another key contributor on both lines. Sophomore Will Pasquier played in his first varsity game last week, “and had an immediate impact on both the offensive and defensive lines,” Cowhey said.
Lakes (1-2, 0-1) at Antioch (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Antioch 48, Lakes 6
Scouting Lakes: The Eagles dropped a tough 3-point decision to Grayslake Central in their conference opener last week. “The effort was great, the outcome was not,” Lakes coach Jason Ellerman said. “We need to be better on kickoff — way too many big returns.” However, Ellerman likes how Lakes’ kickoff return team has performed this season, averaging 35 yards per return. Trent Miller caught passes totaling 97 yards and had 2 TDs against Central. Ean Ankney went 13-for-20 for 194 yards and those 2 TDs to Miller last week.
Scouting Antioch: The Sequoits had 6 different players (Deven Floyd-Pickett, Kelen Wilson, Martin Cohen, Gavin Stone, Marcus Macias and Brooks Welsch) score a rushing touchdown in last week’s 63-0 win over Round Lake. Quarterback Colin Arquilla had 2 passing touchdowns, one each to Cohen and Avery Bussone. Owen Shea had 4 tackles for loss, while Henry Lubkeman had 2 tackles for loss. Arquilla has thrown for 328 yards and 3 TDs, and Macias has run for 129 yards and 2 scores in 2 games. “We are passing the ball very efficiently right now,” Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. Glashagel noted Shea, a junior defensive lineman, “is slowly becoming a force on the inside,” he said. Senior running back Welsch has contributed in many ways thus far. “Brooks has become our Swiss Army Knife,” Glashagel said. “He has become a pretty good kicker for us.” Macias, a junior running back, has hammered down the fullback position.“
Grayslake North (2-1, 0-1) at Grant (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Grant 34, Grayslake North 6
Scouting Grayslake North: Knights coach Brian Johnson is fired up about his team through the one-third point of the season. “I can’t say enough about how resilient we are,” he said. “There have been quite a few players out with injury or illness, and we’ve had players who have been able to step it up when we needed them to.” Mitchell Hughes went 18-for-34 for 282 yards and 2 TDs in last week’s 57-33 loss to Wauconda. Hughes has thrown for 701 yards and has 10 total TDs (pass and rush) so far. Cam Bates caught 8 passes for 116 yards and scored on a rushing TD (he’s at 312 receiving yards and 5 total offensive TDs). Chris Filas caught 5 balls for 93 yards and 2 scores against Wauconda, while Landon Dovel ran 18 times for 74 yards and a score. Ernesto Gonzalez (14 tackles) and Tyler McBride (13 tackles) led the defense. Gonzalez leads the team in tackles with 44. Elija Ayivi has 8 returns for 108 yards. Junior offensive tackle Kyle Case missed last season due to a devastating non-football injury, Johnson noted. “Kyle has been outstanding getting up to speed quickly and has performed at a high level,” Johnson said. Senior Nate Hickson has been versatile at split end, slot and tight end. Senior nose guard Ethan Ventura also has been notable. “He is the prototypical undersized, quick nose guard that still demands double teams,” Johnson said.
Scouting Grant: Junior linebacker Logan Myers has been notable for the Bulldogs through 3 weeks. He leads the team in tackles (37) and has 2 interceptions, including a 90-yard one to the house last week in a 23-7 win against North Chicago. Grant coach Tim Norwood said junior wideout Max Hembrey (258 receiving yards, 3 TDs) continues to impact games with explosive plays, while junior quarterback Matthew Gipson (727 yards, 8 TDs) “runs our offense, and we put a lot on his plate,” Norwood said. Junior tailback Tyler Zdon ran for 119 yards and a touchdown against North Chicago and is up to 331 rushing yards and 216 receiving yards and 5 total offensive touchdowns (averaging 110 rushing yards). Zdon is averaging 6.9 yards per carry and 24 yards per catch. “We still haven’t hit our stride this season,” Norwood said. “We are getting better each week, but have a long way to go.” In the North Chicago win, Ethan Willey caught 4 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Grant’s defensive has 5 interceptions through 3 games.
Waukegan (1-2, 0-1) at Warren (1-2, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Warren 46, Waukegan 0
Scouting this game: Something you haven’t seen in recent times: Warren sitting with 2 losses this early in the season. The Blue Devils have lost to perennial power Maine South and an improved and unbeaten Lake Forest team in successive weeks. “Right now, we are not playing very well on either side of the ball,” Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. “Lake Forest played an exceptional game and we did not match their intensity or effort. That is a direct reflection of my leadership and will not happen again. Our best days are ahead of us.” Aaron Stewart continues to pile up the numbers. He’s run 76 times for 629 yards and 8 touchdowns — far and away the area’s leading rusher. Ayden Edwards has 22 catches for 329 yards and a score. McNulty said senior defensive back Cory Burton is a player, “who is consistently playing up to the effort standard set in the program,” he said. McNulty added junior offensive lineman Jordan Ellis (6-5, 275 pounds) also is playing exceptionally well and is turning into a major college prospect. After defeating Plainfield Central 16-14, Waukegan has lost to Maine West (40-14) and Lake Zurich (41-12) in successive weeks.
North Chicago (1-2, 0-1) at Grayslake Central (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Grayslake Central 15, North Chicago 7
Scouting this game: There is more than one head football coach in Grayslake who is fired up about his team heading into Week 4. “Our team has taken in a lot of information, whether it be schematically, culturally or habitually, since Day 1 of the summer,” Rams coach Brent Pearlman said. “They could have ignored the message in any of these categories or at some point become overwhelmed, which I am sure at some points they did. But I can see a team that is not only hearing the message but actively responding.” Pearlman thought Romeo Reyes had a nice game rushing last week against Lakes, while Eric Brum continues to be productive at the receiver spot, he said. Defensive end Cordell Johnson continues to play well and make plays, Pearlman noted, while corner Jadian Musial also has been playing at a high level. Special teams also has been a contributing success factor. Pearlman said the punt team has been very consistent, while the kickoff team has created some big plays. Brum has impacted the game in all phases, the coach said. “Eric has been productive at receiver, corner and as a returner,” Pearlman said. “His play gets better every week.” Issa Beye has been a big contributor at the 3-technique, “and has improved individually and has helped the defense improve in general,” Pearlman said. Pearlman also tipped his cap to the offensive line, which is “becoming a strength of the offense,” he said. North Chicago beat Wheeling 32-0 in Week 1, but has lost by a combined 54-7 to Addison Trail and Grant in the last 2 weeks.
Round Lake (0-3, 0-1) at Wauconda (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Wauconda 56, Round Lake 0
Scouting this game: Wauconda notables from last week’s Northern Lake County win over Grayslake North included Jacob Hawley (10 carries, 119 yards 1 TD), Cole Korycanek (87 rushing yards, 3 TDs), Jackson Rudolph (3 rushing TDs), Connor Coty (9 tackles) and Jaxson Miglans (8 tackles, 88 yard kickoff return for a score). Hawley has rushed for 287 yards, while Nick Ori has 118 receiving yards. Jackson Rudolph has 8 rushing touchdowns, while Brody Randolph (36 tackles, 2 tackles for loss) and Connor Coty (25 tackles) lead the defense. “Players are understanding their role on the team and how they can help us be successful,” Bulldogs coach Chris Prostka said. “They celebrate each other’s successes and pick each other up when needed.” Kicker Rocco Garcia is 13-for-13 on kicks this season. “Rocco has been doing a fantastic job on special teams,” Prostka said. Connor Coty has been solid at middle linebacker and a big contributor on special teams, while Korycanek “prepares well and is ready to run hard each time he gets the ball,” Prostka said.
Other Friday Lake County Games
Hoffman Estates (3-0) at Vernon Hills (0-3), 6 p.m.
Burbank St. Laurence (3-0) at Carmel (2-1), 7:30 p.m.