Carmel, Wauconda, Antioch, Lakes, Grant, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Hersey, Elk Grove claim wins

After a 1-point loss last week, Carmel stormed back Friday in Mundelein.

The Corsairs (5-2) became playoff eligible with a convincing 54-14 victory over defending Class 4A champion DePaul College Prep.

“This was a great team win,” said Carmel coach Jason McKie, whose team lost 55-54 in a thriller to Montini last week. “Our guys stepped up in all three phases, It was good to get back in the win column and secure No. 5 after a tough loss last week.”

Nebraska commit Trae Taylor had another huge game for the Corsairs. The junior threw for 431 yards and four touchdowns on 24-of-30 passing. He also added 52 rushing yards.

Jorden Moore had 8 carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns. He also had three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. Jaquel Edmonds had 7 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. Eli Jackson (5 receptions, 125 yards) and Kai Owens (5 receptions, 106 yards) also had huge games.

The Corsairs defense forced interceptions by Ben Hannigan, Jameer Miles, Drew Bance and Greg Bess-Henning.

Wauconda 53, Grayslake Central 27:

Wauconda (7-0, 5-0) remained unbeaten and set up its showdown with Antioch next Friday in the Northern Lake County. Jackson Rudolph had touchdown runs of 12 and 13 yards. His brother Brady tallied on a 3-yard run. Cole Korycanek also had a rushing touchdown while Jake Thotstenson threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Luke Sickmeier. Jaxson Miglans added a 76-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Grayslake Central (3-4, 2-3) will need wins in its final two games to become playoff eligible.

Antioch 49, Grayslake North 8:

Antioch (6-1, 5-0) rolled to a 35-0 halftime lead and rolled as the Sequoits’ Ethan Patel threw three touchdown passes, two of which went to Damion Johnson covering 14 and 71 yards. Kelen Wilson added a 28-yard touchdown run and Marcus Macias scored from 25 yards out. Eli Woyat caught an 8-yard touchdown pass and a conversion pass for Grayslake North (3-4, 2-3).

Lakes 46, North Chicago 7:

Lakes (5-2, 4-1) stayed in the hunt in the Northern Lake County and became playoff eligible. The Eagles scored seven consecutive touchdowns to put the game away. Ean Ankney threw touchdown passes to Trent Miller, Chase Davis and Mason Gialo. Ankney also ran for another score. Mason Crowly and Anthont Perna also had rushing touchdowns. Will Mercure, Perna and Dillion Davis each had interceptions as Lakes forced five fumbles and scored on a safety.

Grant 65, Round Lake 17:

Tyler Zdon went wild for Grant. The senior had 365 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on just 12 carries in the first half as Grant (5-2, 3-2) pulled away from an early 7-7 tie. The North Dakota commit scored on runs of 56, 75, 2, 1, 60 and 11 yards. Matthew Gipson threw two touchdown passes to Max Hembrey and Giovanny Hernandez scored on a 27-yard pass from Connor Evans. Round Lake (1-6, 0-5) tallied as Evan West (15-of-26 passing, 187 yards) threw a touchdown pass to Devon Powell (7 receptions, 143 yards).

Lake Zurich 35, Mundelein 0:

Lake Zurich (6-1, 5-0) won its sixth in a row and clinched a playoff spot to remain tied for first in the North Suburban and set up a first-place showdown with Warren next Friday. Reid Pfeifer threw a trio of touchdown passes for the Bears. Chris Chang caught touchdown passes on 43 and 15 yards. Evan Peterson caught a 35-yarder. Kaden Abrantes had a 57-yard touchdown run and Nick Gast tallied from 5 yards out. Peterson and Brock Rubicz each had an interception. Mundelein (1-5, 0-5) dropped their fourth in a row and was led by Logan Young (11-21, 83 yards, 10 carries, 43 yards), Aubre Booker (14 carries, 51 yards) and Kolton Sydanmaa (8 tackles, 2 TFL).

Libertyville 35, Zion-Benton 20:

Libertyville (4-3, 3-2) won its third in a row. Trevor Wallace and Brock Williams hooked up for a trio of touchdown passes covering 15, 61 and 31 yards. Wallace also tossed a scoring pass of 33 yards to Charles Paden.

Hersey 53, Buffalo Grove 2:

Brandon Jenkins had three touchdown runs and Jake Nawrot fired four touchdown passes as Hersey (5-2, 3-0) rolled. Brandon Jenkins (6 carries, 131 yards) scored on runs of 57 and 1 yards. Nawrot (14-of-19 passing, 263 yards) threw touchdown passes of 12 yards to Jenkins, 1 yard to Josh Riggs, 3 yards to Drew Frank and 64 yards to Tyler Wentink. Cheydon Georgacakis added an 85-yard interception return, and Jack Mau booted a 29-yard field goal. Buffalo Grove (2-6, 0-3) scored on a bad snap in the end zone for a safety.

Elk Grove 57, Wheeling 13:

Elk Grove (2-5, 1-2) rushed for their second win of the season. Erik Sandoval (8 carries, 78 yards, 2 TD), Santiago Myles (5 carries, 68 yards, 2 TD) and Jordan Bruford (7 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD) combined for 197 of the Grenadiers 232 rushing yards. Colin Redmond also caught as touchdown pass from Isaiah Albazi while Bartosz Mazur kicked a 41-yard field goal and 6 extra points. Wheeling (1-6, 0-3) got touchdown runs from Christian Campos and Anthony Alvarado.

Maine West 49, Maine East 0:

Maine West (3-4, 2-1) flew past its district rival to stay in the playoff hunt as the Warriors rushed for 389 yards. Nathan Abede (20 carries, 171 yards) ran for three touchdowns, Louis Avalos (8 carries 89 yards) ran for two touchdowns while Gianni D’Aiello had a 45-yard touchdown run and Ryan Warke scored from the three. Maine East fell to 0-7, 0-3.

Vernon Hills 27, Niles West 6:

Vernon Hills (3-4, 2-1) won its second in a row and stayed in playoff contention in its 250th game (133-117) in school history. Colin McMurray rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 80 yards, including a 66-yarder to Jack Gutowski, who also caught a 77-yard pass from Nolan Brettner. Lex Sarantos broke a school record with 23.5 tackles.

Leyden 31, Morton 22:

Leyden (3-4, 2-2) kept its playoff hopes alive as the Eagles piled up 229 rushing yards. Nehemiah Almodovar (25 carries, 179 yards) ran for two touchdowns while Luca Latiker (17 carries, 50 yards) ran for another. Matthew Aquirre threw a touchdown pass to Elijah Martinez.