Scouting Week 4 Lake County football games
Warren Township (2-1, 1-0) at Waukegan (0-3, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Warren 22, Lake Forest 6; Lake Zurich 48, Waukegan 0
Last year: Warren 43, Waukegan 14
Outlook: The Blue Devils, who are 10th in the new Associated Press Class 8A state poll, opened conference play last week with a 16-point win against Lake Forest. “We played a very tough nonconference schedule (games against Hersey and Maine South), which is what we prefer,” coach Bryan McNulty said. “We believe that helped us beat a good Lake Forest team last week.” Aaron Stewart has rushed for 786 yards on 102 carries with 10 touchdowns through 3 weeks, while Corvell Hodges has 17 catches for 119 yards. Senior linebacker Javon Brisker has 24 total tackles on defense. “Javon has been a huge light for our team,” McNulty said. “He is fast, physical and talented.” Waukegan, 1-8 last year, lost its first 3 games by a combined 98-18 count against Plainfield Central, North Chicago and Lake Zurich.
Libertyville (1-2, 0-1) at Lake Zurich (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Stevenson 31, Libertyville 6; Lake Zurich 48, Waukegan 0
Last year: Libertyville 29, Lake Zurich 14
Scouting Libertyville: Our Lake County Blue Plate Special of the Week pits two perennially sound North Suburban teams against each other as the second third of the regular season kicks into gear. “We know the tough challenge that Lake Zurich always brings because they are a very good program that is very consistent every year,” Libertyville coach Tim Budge said. In last week’s Stevenson game, Kaden Butt had 8 tackles and 1 tackle for loss, while Erich Walldorf also had 8 tackles. “Kaden has been a force on our defensive line,” Budge said. “Erich leads our defense and is our anchor at linebacker.” Budge also has been pleased with the play of Myles Batesky, Carson Holmes and Sawyer Kopala on offense. “Those three anchor our offensive line and have done a great job as leaders,” he said. Despite a couple losses, Budge continues to see positives. “Our team has great leadership and that has helped us stay encouraged despite the two tough, early-season losses,” he said. “We have shown a lot of great potential and we know we will be a great team very soon. We fell just short against a very tough Naperville North team and gave up some big plays on defense against Stevenson. We are looking to shore up our game-night execution and are taking a game-at-a-time approach. The players and coaches have been very focused on cleaning up our mistakes because we know great things lie ahead once we do that.”
Scouting Lake Zurich: The Bears, ranked 16th in the new AP Class 6A poll, have been on a roll the last 2 weeks. After a season-opening loss to unbeaten Fremd (ranked No. 5 in the state in Class 8A), the Bears have shut out Antioch and Waukegan by a combined 81-0 score. “It’s tough to say who we are right now,” Lake Zurich coach Ron Planz said. “We have done some good things the last 2 weeks. Now that we are about to get into the heart of our conference schedule, we will find out what we are made of. Libertyville is a great opponent with a ton of talent on both sides of the ball.” Planz has been pleased with the Bears’ running back by committee approach with Kaden Abrantes (193 yards, 6.6 yards per carry), Danny Hope and Ryan Hasemeyer (8.2 yards per carry). “Kaden, Danny and Ryan have been really good for us, and each brings a slightly different style,” he said. Seven different Bears players scored 1 touchdown each in the Waukegan win. Lake Zurich is holding opponents to an average of 52 rushing yards per game, holds a 5-1 quarterback sacks advantage and sits at a plus-2 in the turnover department (5 to 3). Christopher Chang has caught 10 passes for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Mundelein (1-2, 0-1) at Stevenson (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Zion-Benton 19, Mundelein 14; Stevenson 31, Libertyville 6
Last year: Stevenson 36, Mundelein 0
Outlook: Stevenson picked up a big North Suburban Conference-opening win against Libertyville last week where quarterback Aidan Crawley threw for 321 yards (13-for-18) and 2 touchdowns and also ran for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns. His favorite targets were Zach Becker (2 catches, 72 yards, 58-yard TD), Dylan Fawcett (8 catches, 133 yards) and Brandon Hersh (3 catches, 116 yards with a 62-yard TD grab). Coach Brent Becker pointed out defensively the likes of John Concialdi, Jayden Lopez, Brody Delevitt, Abai Atabekov and Frank Concialdi limited Libertyville’s top 2 wide receivers to 1 catch past the line of scrimmage. Other defensive Week 3 highlights included Sunny Tsui (7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks), Anthony Adams (4 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits, 0.5 sack), Becker (3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB pressure/hit), Jake Zachara (1 tackle for loss, 1 sack), Dangelo Washington (4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 QB pressure) and Caden Schultz (5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 QB pressures). Caden An hit a 33-yard field goal and was 4-for-4 on point-after attempts. Through 3 weeks, Crawley has thrown for 426 yards and run for 227 more. Fawcett has 14 catches for 162 yards, while Hersh has 6 catches for 154 yards. Washington has 25 tackles (2 for loss), Schultz is next with 18 tackles. Adams has 3 QB pressures, while Sunny Tsui has 2 sacks. Becker has 3 QB pressures, while John Concialdi has 2 interceptions. Mundelein lost to unbeaten Zion (3-0) by 5 points last week after beating Niles West by 5 points the week before.
Round Lake (1-2, 0-1) at Antioch (2-1, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Grayslake North 21, Round Lake 7; Antioch 47, Grayslake Central 0
Last year: Antioch 63, Round Lake 0
Scouting Round Lake: Dylan Wright had 9 tackles and 1 forced fumble against Grayslake North, while Devon Powell caught 6 passes for 110 yards. Through 3 weeks, Wright has 22 tackles and 3 tackles for loss, while Isaiah Urbina has 19 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles, Deantae Griggs has rushed for 310 yards and 2 TDs and Powell has caught 14 passes for 225 yards and a score. Free safety Zenin Reyes is third on the team in tackling, while Panthers coach Randi Dey noted Frank Milkie brings physicality to both lines and Narciso Gonzalez’s toughness has made a difference on the Round Lake defense, despite him being new to the game, Dey pointed out. “So far, what stands out for us is our willingness to keep adapting and keep getting better,” Dey said. “We have the ability to move the ball on offense, but have shown the lack of ability to put it in the end zone. Once we figure out how to do that more efficiently, it will make a big impact on our W-L record.”
Scouting Antioch: “We are getting better every week,” Sequoits coach Brian Glashagel said. “There are still too many self-inflicted wounds. We eliminate those and we’ll be a quarterfinal or better team.” In last week’s win, Colin Arquilla was 4-for-7 for 96 yards and threw 2 touchdown passes. Damion Johnson caught 2 balls for 64 yards — both touchdowns. Gavin Stone ran 12 times for 169 yards and 4 touchdowns and has now run for 394 yards on 35 carries with 5 touchdowns. “Gavin is quickly becoming one of the area’s top running backs,” Glashagel said. Logan Lennon has 22 carries for 209 yards and 3 catches for 48 yards, while linebacker Henry Lubkeman has a team-high 25 tackles. Defensive lineman Owen Shea has 18 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.
North Chicago (1-2, 0-1) at Grant (2-1, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.; Grant High School, Fox Lake
Last week: Wauconda 47, North Chicago 6; Lakes 20, Grant 18
Last year: Grant 23, North Chicago 7
Outlook: Grant looks to rebound this week after a 2-point loss in Lake Villa. “We had a tough loss at Lakes and we need to learn from the mistakes we’ve made and move forward,” Bulldogs coach Tim Norwood said. “We continue to have too many penalties. I am interested in seeing how this group responds.” In the Lakes game, Matthew Gipson threw for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Tyler Zdon ran for 83 yards and a TD and Max Hembrey had 6 catches for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. Gipson has now thrown for 851 yards and 7 TDs in 3 games, while Zdon is up to 360 rushing yards (8.6 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns, and Hembrey is averaging 33.4 yards per catch, just more than 200 receiving yards per game and has 4 TD catches. Logan Myers leads the team with 35 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 pick, while Wyatt Cornell has 26 tackles.
Lakes (2-1, 1-0) at Grayslake Central (1-2, 0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Lakes 20, Grant 18; Antioch 47, Grayslake Central 0
Last year: Grayslake Central 36, Lakes 33
Scouting Lakes: The Eagles had many positives coming out of last week’s big win against Grant. Senior outside linebacker Dillan Davis broke the school record for most tackles for loss in a career after logging 2 more. He finished with 14 tackles (2 for loss), 1 QB pressure, 1 sack and 1 interception. Ean Ankney completed 11 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown, while Will Mercure had 3 catches for 86 yards and a score and had 5 tackles and a pass breakup at cornerback. Davis leads the team in tackles with 34, while Ankney has thrown 7 touchdowns and Mercure has 8 catches for 193 yards through 3 games. Coach Jason Ellerman also lauded the play of Dom Lostroscio (2 key pass breakups against Grant), Mason Gialo and Colin Murray. “Dom has been a great leader on the team,” he said. “He has a super-high football IQ. Mason has been doing great at wide receiver and is the quarterback of our secondary and gets everyone lined up. Colin has filled in very well at left tackle and has really solidified the offensive line.”
Scouting Grayslake Central: Over the past 2 games, Rams quarterback Nick Norberg has accounted for 430 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Bryce Carlson has caught 12 passes for 209 yards in the first 3 games. “Nick’s leadership and courage has definitely had an impact on the team,” Central coach Brent Pearlman said. Pearlman pointed out Eli Gillette has done whatever has been asked of him, including playing quarterback in the season-opener, receiver, running back in Game 2 and adding in some corner reps and responsibilities last week. Pearlman also is high on Riley McNiece. “Riley continues to be an extremely coachable and effective player, while being the main leader of our defense,” he said. Pearlman noted he’s not sure who the Rams are quite yet as a team as they enter Week 4. “Injuries have played a major role in the season so far,” he explained. “I don’t think we have put the starting lineup we had expected on the field yet. We surely don’t and aren’t using that as an excuse. We have capable players and we all need to figure out our recipe for success.”
Grayslake North (1-2, 1-0) at Wauconda (3-0, 1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Grayslake North 21, Round Lake 7; Wauconda 47, North Chicago 6
Last year: Wauconda 57, Grayslake North 33
Scouting Grayslake North: Sophomore quarterback Jaylen Newkirk threw for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Round Lake win and also ran for 55 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Luke Woyat had 6 catches for 83 yards and 2 TDs. “I appreciate how we are making progress each week,” Knights coach Brian Johnson said. “We have been able to meet each of our weekly team goals in practice and it is showing up on the field. The defense was much improved against Round Lake, especially with our team tackling and pursuit.” Newkirk has thrown for 303 yards and 4 TDs, while senior Jacob Sweeney has run for 262 yards in 3 games. Woyat has 9 catches for 125 yards, and linebackers Maurice Jorden (16 tackles) and Connor Vargo (15 tackles) are tops in tackles. Sophomore defensive back Alejandro Romero has 3 interceptions. “Alejandro is becoming more and more comfortable and has developed a real good nose for the ball,” Johnson said. Senior linebacker Isaac Rios missed the first 2 games with an injury. “Isaac played in Week 3 and delivered a huge spark to our defense. Senior nose guard Lucas Driskill “has done a great job with his enthusiasm and vastly improved his skill set this off-season,” Johnson added.
Scouting Wauconda: The Bulldogs, ranked 11th in the new Class 6A state poll, average more than 400 rushing yards per game and are converting on fourth down a robust 71% of the time. Wauconda also is a plus-5 in the takeaways department (6 to 1). “We are pleased with our efficiency on offense,” Wauconda coach Chris Prostka said. “We have been taking the ball away in the first 3 games.” The Bulldogs played their first 3 games away from home. “It will be nice to play at home this week,” Prostka added. In the win against North Chicago, Jackson Rudolph ran for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass. Cole Korycanek ran for 82 yards and a score. Brody Rudolph had 2 rushing TDs, 2 tackles for loss and a sack on defense. Wauconda racked up 455 yards of total offense and had 3 takeaways on defense with a Jack Landmeier interception and 2 fumble recoveries by Martin Corona (forced fumble by Brody Rudolph). Through 3 games, Jackson Rudolph has run for 434 yards and has 10 total TDs. Korycanek has 388 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Eric Alvarado has 34 tackles, while Brody Rudolph has 17 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a forced fumble, and Khalil Roberson has a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. “Khalil has had a solid start to the season both in pass coverage and defending the run,” Prostka said. Jaxson Miglans has played safety, wide receiver, running back and has handled kicking duties. “Jaxson has been improving each week,” Prostka said. “We have asked him to do a lot early in the season.” Prostka added Finn Loomis has been playing a significant amount of snaps on both lines, “and is a consistent performer for us,” he said.
Carmel (2-1) at St. Laurence (3-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; St. Laurence High School, Burbank
Last week: Providence 35, Carmel 28; St. Laurence 15, Niles Notre Dame 14
Last year: St. Laurence 17, Carmel 14
Outlook: The Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference White Division opener for both teams. Carmel, ranked 13th in the new AP Class 7A state poll, jumped out of the gates with a pair of wins before dropping a 3-point decision to 5A No. 3 Providence Catholic last week in a game that saw quarterback Trae Taylor throw for 232 yards and 4 touchdowns. Greg Bess-Henning caught 5 passes for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Kai Owens had a touchdown catch for the Corsairs. Sophomore Jameer Miles (2 tackles for loss) and Nick Hopman (2 tackles for loss, 1 sack) each had 16 tackles against Providence, while sophomore Kristian Chadick had 2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. Taylor has thrown for 740 yards and 12 touchdowns against just 1 interception in the first 3 Carmel games. St. Laurence, out of south suburban Burbank, advanced to the state quarterfinals last year. St. Laurence edged Notre Dame by a point last week and recorded earlier wins against Chicago King (19-0) and Evanston Township (37-21).
Other Lake County Friday Games
Vernon Hills (1-2) at Schaumburg (2-1), 7:30 p.m.