Scouting Week 5 Lake County football
Grayslake Central (3-1, 2- 0) at Grayslake North (3-1, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Grayslake Central 34, Grayslake North 7
Scouting Grayslake Central: A Lake County Blue Plate Special of the Week features this annual village rivalry game. The Rams are 1 win shy of equaling their total from last year (4-5). “Offensively, we are getting better each week, but we are missing opportunities, whether by turnover, penalty or execution to finish drives,” Central coach Brent Pearlman said. “Defensively, we have made good progress and we are starting to play good team defense. Our guys are finding ways to win games, which is great, but we are making it far more difficult than it needs to be. I am hoping as we grow and improve, our players will see the rewards of their sacrifice.” Pearlman said the Rams are loaded with unsung heroes, ticking off names such as Logan Randazzo, Ryan Meaney, Tyree Searcey, Blayse Ambrosia, Jano Engels, “and many more,” he said. “These guys keep getting better while at the same time making us better. Our unsung heroes are the many players that show up every day and put tremendous effort into every practice even though they might not see as much playing times as others on Friday night. These are the guys that make us better. These are the guys that sacrifice so much for the team and these are the guys that truly define the word teammate every day of the week.”
Scouting Grayslake North: The Knights have 3 receivers with at least 200 or more yards, led by Cam Bates (25-487-5 receiving TDs; 2 rushing TDs; 1 kickoff TD), and 4 receivers with 10 or more catches. QB Mitch Hughes has thrown for 1,008 yards in 4 games and has 11 TDs to go with three more on the ground. Landon Dovel has run 62 times for 400 yards and 5 scores. Junior Eli Woyat is one of only two 2-way starters, going at tight end and outside linebacker. “Eli has been rock-solid on both sides of the ball and on numerous special teams,” North coach Brian Johnson said. “He does everything asked of him. Whenever a situation arises, his name is the first one mentioned. ‘Eli can do it.’” Dom Ordonez and Lucas Driskill were cited for excellent scout team efforts. “One of the toughest positions on the team is scout-team offensive and defensive line,” Johnson explained. “Both guys have been two-way starters for us on the line in practice all year.” Overall, Johnson likes what has been occurring on North Route 83 this fall. “I appreciate our team is doing the best it can, each and every day,” he said. “The accountability they demonstrate for each other, and they are able to pick one another up, if necessary. The selflessness they are showing is astounding. As the season advances, we need to keep stressing fundamentals and continue our progress in learning how to play as a team on defense.”
Antioch (3-1, 2-0) at North Chicago (1-3, 0-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Antioch 62, North Chicago 13
Scouting this game: The Sequoits have won three in a row, putting up point totals of 33, 63 and 41 during that streak. Antioch is one of 3 teams in the Northern Lake County Conference sitting at 2-0 in league play (Wauconda and Grayslake Central are the others).. “We’re firming things up every week and getting better,” Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. “Every week in the NLCC poses a new threat and a different-built team. We need to continue to adjust to every week to the opponent. Our team has done a great job doing that.” Martin Cohen has run for 329 yards on 35 carries (9.4 yards per carry, 5 TDs), while also catching 10 balls for 127 yards and 2 TDs. Quarterback Colin Arquilla has been equally up to snuff, throwing for 363 yards and 4 TDs and running for four additional scores. Adding to the offensive fun has been running back Marcus Macias (37 rushes, 191 yards, 2 TDs). Linebacker Nate Gorski has 26 tackles, while Owen Shea has 6 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Henry Lubkeman has 4 tackles for loss and 1 fumble recovery. Eight Antioch players have scored at last 1 rushing touchdown. Mason Bussone averages 25.2 yards per reception (9 for 227, 1 TD). North Chicago has lost three in a row, but succumbed only by 5 points (19-14) to NLCC co-leader Grayslake Central last week.
Round Lake (0-4, 0-2) at Lakes (1-3, 0-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Lakes 28, Round Lake 0
Scouting this game: After defeating Vernon Hills, Lakes has dropped two straight. Both teams look to get into the NLCC win column here. Lakes’ Mason Crowley leads the team in rushing, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, while Mason Gialo has a team-high 19 receptions, “and also has done a nice job flipping field position as our punter,” said Lakes coach Jason Ellerman, who also applauded the Eagles’ scouting teams work all season. Ellerman noted Chase Matos and Colin Murray “do a great job playing scout linebacker,” he said. On offense, Kam Hok and Nate Velez “run hard at scout running back and really test the defense,” Ellerman said. Ellerman added a key focus this week is discipline. “We need to cut down on penalties,” he said. “We plan on implementing some accountability techniques to practice going forward.” Round Lake has been shut out in three of its 4 losses.
Grant (2-2, 1-1) at Wauconda (3-1, 2-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Wauconda 27, Grant 24
Scouting Grant: The Bulldogs had a 2-game winning streak snapped after a wild 58-57 loss to Grayslake North last week. “We are still learning to do the little things right and play with our fundamentals,” Grant coach Tim Norwood said. “The effort and attitude is there. We just need to clean some things up technique wise as our season progresses.” Senior guard Ian Hernandez and sophomore center Luke Youngberg have helped an injury-depleted offensive line. “Both have done a great job filing in for injuries,” Norwood said. “We have been able to execute on offense with those guys. We have not missed a beat.” Norwood said Grant must do a better job taking care of the ball. Tyler Zdon has 800 yards of total offense through 4 weeks (532 rushing yards and 268 receiving yards) with 9 total offensive touchdowns. Matthew Gipson has thrown for 945 yards and 11 scores (61.5 percent completion rate). Max Hembrey has 20 catches for 379 yards and 5 TDs, while Cam Houghton is at 8 catches for 147 yards and 3 TDs.
Scouting Wauconda: The key talking point for the Wauconda: The Bulldogs average 268 rushing yards per game with Jacob Hawley (333 yards; 10 yards per carry) and Jackson Rudolph (314 yards, 11 TDs) leading the way. Logan Olsen has passed for 485 yards and 4 scores. Brody Rudolph (38 tackles. 2 for loss) and Connor Coty (30 tackles) pace the defense. Two-way lineman Porter Stanton (tackle and guard on offense, defensive line) also has been a key cog. “Porter is having a solid season and has had a large impact on our ability to run the ball effectively,” Bulldogs coach Chris Prostka said. Wauconda has won 2 games in a row, scoring 113 points during that span. “We are pleased with how our team has performed so far,” he said. “It speaks to the hard work the players have put in during practice. We have shown great teamwork and resilience and we look for that to continue. We are excited about the direction we are headed. We can keep building on this foundation as we progress. We need to be prepared to consistently play at a high level each week.”
Zion-Benton (0-4, 0-2) at Warren (2-2, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Waukegan 42, Zion 0
Scouting this game: Warren snapped a 2-game losing streak with a win over Waukegan in Week 4. “The past 4 weeks have been challenging with the two losses,” Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. “We continue to remind the kids that tomorrow will be their best day and we believe it. As a coach, I really believe in these kids. They are too high of character not to. Our best days are ahead of us.” Running back Aaron Stewart is up to 778 rushing yards and 11 TDs through 4 games, while quarterback Jack Wolf has thrown for 475 yards and 4 TDs. Wideout Ayden Edwards has 24 catches for 371 yards and 2 scores. McNulty also likes the way junior linebacker Royce Lopez and junior offensive lineman Vic Drake have been playing. Lopez led the team in tackles last week. “Royce played very well last week,” he said. “Vic has quietly been our most consistent offensive lineman all year.” Zion has lost 17-6 to Mundelein and 31-12 to state-ranked Lake Forest in North Suburban action so far this season.
Waukegan (1-3, 0-2) at Stevenson (3-1, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Stevenson 44, Waukegan 8
Scouting this game: Stevenson put the defensive clamps on Mundelein in a 36-0 win last week. Griffin Suren was the Patriots’ defensive player of the game after scoring a touchdown, recorded 2 interceptions, 6 tackles and 2 quarterback sacks. Braeden O’Hara had 10 tackles and 3 quarterback hits. Anthony Adams has 9 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and 3 tackles for loss, while D’Angelo Washington has 10 tackles. Luke Nelson had 4 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Stevenson has run for 100 or more yards in 3 of 4 contests and has run no fewer than 39 offensive plays per game. Christophe Thorndyke has 279 rushing yards and 5 TDs, while Frank Costabile has 184 rushing yards and 5 TDS as well. The Patriots continue to get it done through the air as well with Aidan Crawley passing for 724 yards and 8 touchdowns. Zach Hersh has 10 catches for 106 yards, while Thomas Simmons is at 9 catches for 190 yards and 3 TDs and Zach Becker has 8 catches for 177 yards. Jack Staub has 6 catches for 110 yards. Waukegan has given up 40, 41 and 43 points in its last 3 games.
Lake Zurich (1-3, 1-1) at Lake Forest (4-0, 2-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last year: Lake Zurich 43, Lake Forest 0
Scouting this game: “We are shooting ourselves in the foot with too many penalties, inefficiency on third down on both sides of the ball (19.4 percent conversion; opponents 36.4 percent conversion on third down) and too many turnovers (minus-3 in turnover category),” Lake Zurich coach Ron Planz said. However, Planz noted he sees continuing light in the tunnel. “We have to keep swinging away,” he said. “We showed a ton of fight and resilience this past week (in a loss to Libertyville), but came up short. We will need to keep building on that level of focus and effort to get things going in the right direction this season.” Alex Pirrone ran for 122 yards against Libertyville last week. “Alex has stepped up and is running the ball very hard,” Planz said. “I like his progress this season.” Cole Kenyon has thrown for 549 yards and 5 TDs, while Jackson Piggott has 19 catches for 270 yards and 3 TDs. Reece Katzenberger has 6 catches for 154 yards and 2 scores. Coplan Oettinger leads the team in tackles with 36, while Arturo Zarinana has 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Lake Forest was ranked No. 5 in the most recent Associated Press Class 6A state poll, and allows an average of only 11.2 points per game.
Other Friday Lake County Games
Libertyville (4-0, 2-0) at Mundelein (3-1, 1-1), 7 p.m.
Maine East (2-2) at Vernon Hills (0-4), 7:30 p.m.
Marian Catholic (2-2) at Carmel (2-2), 7:30 p.m.