Scouting Week 3 Lake County football games
Round Lake (1-1) at Grayslake North (0-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Round Lake 41, Maine East 0; Elgin 40, Grayslake North 26
Last year: Grayslake North 38, Round Lake 0
Scouting Round Lake: Round Lake broke a 22-game losing streak (dating back to Week 7 of the 2022 season) with a 41-0 win over Maine East in Week 2. Deantae Griggs ran 17 times for 162 years, while Axel Torres had 3 forced fumbles, 2 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, a sack and 6 tackles. Evan West has passed for 345 yards through 2 games, that’s more passing yards than the varsity offense had in the entire season last year. Griggs is up to 220 rushing yards. “The difference in Week 1 and Week 2 is night and day as far as execution and confidence goes,” Round Lake coach Randi Dey said. “In Game 1, we lacked the self-efficacy as a group to produce; however, we learned from the loss and were able to take advantage of the experience from it in Week 2. Team co-captain Frank Milkie plays both ways and has been doing an outstanding job at right guard, “and has kept our quarterback safe and is constantly seeking defenders to engage in the run game,” Dey said. Freshman left guard Ivan Alejandre has embraced his role on the team, Day added, “and even though he’s just a freshman, his physicality and drive is making an impact on the team,” he said. Junior free safety Zenon Reyes is nearing the 20-tackle mark, “which says a lot for a free safety,” Day indicated. “His support against the run has saved us from big plays more than once so far this season. He has done a great job as one of our leaders on defense.”
Scouting Grayslake North: The Knights head into the Northern Lake County Conference opener looking for their first win after setbacks against Vernon Hills and Elgin. In the Elgin loss, Jacob Sweeney ran 25 times for 123 yards and 2 scores, while Maurice Jorden ran 11 times for 132 yards and a touchdown. Linebacker Connor Vargo had 9 tackles. Sweeney has run 41 times for 201 yards, while Jaylen Newkirk has passed for 137 yards and 1 touchdown. Vargo has 15 tackles and 1 interception through 2 games, while Angel Rosiles has 15 tackles as well. “Our offensive line is starting to sort itself out and playing better as a unit,” North coach Brian Johnson said. “Each week is another week of needed experience. I’m pleased with our resilience. We are improving our ability to limit mistakes and playing with some emotion.” Johnson called Sweeney a workhorse the first two weeks and noted Vargo has done a stand-up job on defense, fulfilling a leadership role. Johnson also has been pleased with the play of Luc Woyat. “Luke has been stellar on offense, defense and special teams,” he said.
Stevenson (1-1) at Libertyville (1-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Naperville North 21, Libertyville 14, OT; Stevenson 10, Wheaton North 7
Last year: Libertyville 43, Stevenson 14
Scouting Stevenson: Our Lake County Blue Plate Special of the Week. Stevenson shook off a Week 1 loss to Mt. Prospect with a close victory against Wheaton North. Aidan Elliott scored from the 3-yard line for the final margin. DAngelo Washington had 11 tackles, while John Concialdi and Frank Concialdi each had big interceptions, coach Brent Becker noted. Braedon O”Hara had a sack and also contributed to multiple tackles, along with a pass breakup on fourth down to stop a drive. Cadan An nailed a 47-yard field goal.
Scouting Libertyville: Coach Tim Budge was thrilled with how 2-way lineman Carson Holmes played. “Carson had a great game,” he said. “He helped block No. 8 (Gabriel Hill) from Naperville North and on defense helped us play well against a very tough team.” Holmes had 5 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Trevor Wallace threw for 154 yards and 1 touchdown, while Brady Buenik ran for 43 yards and a score. Aiden Weaver rushed for 41 yards against Naperville North, while Brock Williams caught 6 passes for 72 yards. Bode Rohrbach caught a Williams touchdown pass, while Nick Ori had 3 catches for 49 yards. “I really like our team,” Budge said. “We have shown a lot of grit and leadership in the first 2 weeks and demonstrated we can handle adverse situations.” Budge noted Libertyville was down 7-0 to Lemont early and battled back to score 24 unanswered points and then fell short in overtime against a strong Naperville North team. “We have drastically improved every week and our best football is yet to come,” he said. “Our offensive and defensive lines have stepped up and played really well. Many of our players have played a huge part in our success so far.” Rohrbach has been logging time at wide receiver and outside linebacker. “Bode has done a nice job,” Budge said. Junior safety Reid Williams also has been a force on defense. “Reid helps lead the secondary and has done a nice job in run support, as well as with perimeter screens,” Budge said.
Grayslake Central (1-1) at Antioch (1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Lake Zurich 33, Antioch 0; Grayslake Central 43, Bremen 29
Last year: Antioch 53, Grayslake Central 20
Scouting Grayslake Central: Central’s defense has forced 6 fumbles in 2 games and also has 2 interceptions. “We played more aggressively on the defensive side of the ball and the offense had a little more rhythm in overall execution (against Bremen),” Rams coach Brent Pearlman said. “I am not sure we have seen a huge bump in any one area. We have suffered numerous injuries so we have not developed a stable group on offense, defense or special teams. While I hate the injuries I am proud of our guys for their ability to keep on fighting and doing whatever is necessary for the team.” Nick Norberg, in his first game back, threw for 240 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 2 more touchdowns. “Nick did some nice things,” Pearlman said. Ezra Lorenzo, in his first start of the season, had 2 interceptions “and played well,” Pearlman noted. Bryce Carlson had more than 100 receiving yards against Bremen, while Riley McNiece continues to be a driving force on defense, Pearlman added.
Scouting Antioch: Owen Shea had 6 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in the Week 2 loss to Lake Zurich. Gavin Stone has rushed for 225 yards on 23 carries through 2 games, while linebacker Henry Lubkeman has 15 tackles and Shea at defensive end has 14 tackles (12 solos to go with 3 tackles for loss). “Every week we are finding out things about our team,” Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. “I think every team does this until about Week 4. After Week 4, you are who you are. I like the quality of opponent our first 2 weeks. Good opponents show you where you’re good and where you need to improve.” Senior safety, running back and kick returner Jack Bucar has been logging time all over the field. “He’s our Swiss Army Knife,” Glashagel said. Antioch hadn’t been shut out in at least 92 games prior to last week.
Grant (2-0) at Lakes (1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.; Lakes High School, Lake Villa
Last week: Lakes 49, Vernon Hills 6; Grant 40, Glenbrook North 20
Last year: Grant 42, Lakes 12
Scouting Grant: The Bulldogs have put up 82 points in their first 2 games, most in the Northern Lake County Conference (Wauconda is next at 79). Matthew Gipson has thrown for 564 yards and 5 touchdowns (0 interceptions) and is completing more than 70% of his passes. Tyler Zdon has ran for 277 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2 games, while Max Hembrey has 12 catches for 406 yards and 2 touchdowns and is averaging more than 30 yards a catch. Michael Potempa has 2 touchdown catches. Logan Myers has 19 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 interception so far. “We are a senior-heavy team with a lot of experience and that experience has shown through our first 2 weeks,” Grant coach Tim Norwood said. “We have been able to play really fast and physical and we continue to progress on our technique and fundamentals.” Norwood said Gipson, Zdon and Hembrey continue to excel. “They have been able to put up some great numbers through the first 2 weeks,” he said.
Scouting Lakes: On special teams, John Zutkis and Will Mercure have a combined average of 45 yards on kickoff returns, while Dillan Davis has 16 tackles and 2 sacks on defense. Trent Miller leads the team with 2 receiving touchdowns. “Our special teams have been really good, creating excellent field position,” coach Jason Ellerman said. “Our senior leadership has been outstanding. They are high-character kids.” Ellerman added Robbie Siebert has been a difference-maker at inside linebacker for the Eagles, while Ean Ankney was impressive against Vernon Hills with 5 touchdown passes. Jordan Phelan, Ellerman noted, has been an all-around stalwart at center, nose guard and placekicker. He was perfect on PATs against Vernon Hills.
Waukegan (0-2) at Lake Zurich (1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Lake Zurich 33, Antioch 0; North Chicago 29, Waukegan 0
Last year: Lake Zurich 41, Waukegan 12
Outlook: Lake Zurich got into the win column with a shutout win against perennial Northern Lake County Conference kingpin Antioch. “The biggest difference was our ability to stay on the field offensively and get off the field on defense,” Lake Zurich coach Ron Planz said. “We didn’t turn the ball over (against Antioch) and were 80% efficient on third down while holding Antioch to 30% efficiency on third down. We have seen some real solid play all around, even the Fremd game in Week 1 showed promise.” Planz likes the way Arturo Zarinana (24 tackles, 2 tackles for loss through 2 games) is playing. “Arturo is being physical and is doing a good job setting up our defense as the Mike linebacker,” he said. Planz noted Evan Peterson continues to make plays, including a huge open-field tackle on the Antioch quarterback to prevent the Sequoits from converting a first down. He also added an interception in that game. Offensive line play also is improving, Planz noted. “I have been happy with the progress our offensive line has made form the summer to now. Those guys are really starting to gel. We have gotten some really good play out of our center Jake Pacini, especially.” Kaden Abrantes has run for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first 2 games, while Christopher Chang has 9 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown. Gavin Shondy has 2 tackles for loss, while Evan Peterson has an interception for the Bears.
Wauconda (2-0) at North Chicago (1-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Wauconda 35, Maine West 14; North Chicago 29, Waukegan 0
Last year: Wauconda 50, North Chicago 16
Outlook: Wauconda had 3 players rush for 100 or more yards in the Week 2 win against Maine West. Jackson Rudolph ran for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass. Cole Korycanek had 146 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while Brody Rudolph ran for 100 yards. Eric Alvarado had 12 tackles on defense, while Khalil Roberson had 9 tackles, Jaxson Miglans had an interception. Jackson Rudolph is up to 322 rushing yards and 7 total touchdowns, while Korycanek had 306 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Alvarado has 25 tackles in 2 games. “In both games, our team has responded well to challenges and adversity,” Wauconda coach Chris Prostka said. “The next man up has been ready to go when the opportunity arises.” Prostka noted Alvarado also has been notable on an offensive line that has helped Wauconda average 439 rushing yards per game. Prostka noted Roberson has been solid in coverage and on tackling on the perimeter, while Logan Anderson, the team’s starting center, has played a big role in the Bulldogs’ ability to run the ball. North Chicago split its first two games against North Suburban Conference entrants Zion-Benton (loss) and Waukegan (win).
Providence Catholic (1-1) at Carmel Catholic (2-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein
Last week: Carmel 51, Lake Forest 7; Lincoln-Way Central 26, Providence Catholic 14
Last year: Carmel 27, Providence 24
Outlook: Carmel has rolled up 103 points in its first 2 games, while surrendering only 20 combined against Grayslake Central and Lake Forest. Junior quarterback Trae Taylor has completed 31 of 35 passes for 508 yards and 8 touchdowns through 2 games. Sophomore Jorden Moore has run 21 times for 209 yards, while Taylor has 9 carries for 122 yards and 2 touchdown runs. Sophomore Jaquel Edmonds has 19 carries for 98 yards and 2 scores through 2 weeks. Carmel already has 3 receivers over 100 yards with senior Kai Owens leading the way with 9 grabs for 155 yards and 4 touchdowns. Sophomore Greg Bess-Henning has 4 catches for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns, while junior Kyron Hart has 8 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Noah Breckinridge and senior Xavier Vazquez each have 2 sacks. Providence Catholic, out of the East Suburban Catholic/Chicago Catholic League Orange Division, lost to Lincoln-Way Central in Week 2 after opening the season with a 49-14 win over Wheaton Academy. The Celtics went 4-5 last season.
Other Week 3 Lake County Games
Zion-Benton (2-0) at Mundelein (1-1), 7 p.m.
Conant (0-2) at Vernon Hills (1-1)
Lake Forest (1-1) at Warren Township (1-1), 7 p.m.