Cook/Lake football roundup: Vernon Hills closes in on playoffs, Elk Grove, Rolling Meadows, Grant, Libertyville among other winners
Vernon Hills has not been to the playoffs since 2021, but the Cougars put themselves in a great spot to change that Friday.
Giuseppe Urso’s 23-yard touchdown run with 4:06 to play lifted Vernon Hills (4-4, 3-1) to a 14-7 win over visiting Maine West. The Cougars would become playoff eligible with a win this Friday at home against Niles North (3-5, 2-2).
The Cougars, who racked up 187 rushing yards, took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a four-yard run by Colin McMurray. Maine West (3-5, 2-2) tied the game on a three-yard fumble return. The game remained tied until Urso (23 carries, 141 yards) tallied the game-winner.
Elk Grove 10, Buffalo Grove 4: In a defensive battle of the Groves, Elk Grove (3-5, 2-2) prevailed. The Grenadiers tallied on a 26-yard field goal by Bartosz Mazur and a two-yard touchdown run by Nathan Dean (23 carries, 101 yards). Buffalo Grove (2-6, 1-3) scored its points on a pair of safeties including a sack by Jack Carroll.
Rolling Meadows 63, Wheeling 0: Rolling Meadows (6-2, 3-1) bounced back in a big way after the Mustangs lost to Prospect last week. Joe Brighman tossed three touchdown passes to Arman Lepuzanovic (58 yards), Jack Andersen (33 yards) and Keeling Murray (10 yards). Jake Harvey had touchdown runs of three and 39 yards while Sean Kerr returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown. Wheeling (1-7, 0-4) was led by Christian Camposs, who threw for 44 yards and rushed for 27.
Stevenson 40, Zion-Benton 12: Stevenson (6-2, 5-1) got back in the win column with a solid victory in Lincolnshire to earn the Patriots a state playoff bid. Aidan Crawyley threw a pair of touchdown passes to Zach Becker covering 31 and 21 yards. Crawley also rushed for an 11-yard touchdown. Hayden Hudleston ran two yards for a touchdown while Aidan Elliott scored on a three-yard run.
Grant 54, Grayslake Central 20: Grant (6-2, 4-2) raced to a 21-0 lead and then coasted to the win while clinching a state playoff spot. Grayslake Central fell to 3-5, 2-4. Matthew Gipson (14-of-20, 164 yards) threw three touchdown passes, two of which went to Max Hembry and the other to Jayrell Conner. Doltyn Longtin (25 carries, 205 yards) ran for a touchdown while Tyler Zdon (5 carries, 64 yards) and Matt Longabaugh also had touchdown runs.
IC Catholic 49, St. Viator 9: St. Viator (1-7) got off a to a great start as Alex Niemiec blasted a 50-yard field goal on the Lions’ first possession. But Viator couldn’t hold off the Knights (6-2) from there. Offensive lineman Peter Lafleur scored on a 4-yard run for the Lions in the third quarter.
Libertyville 31, Lake Forest 6: Libertyville (5-3, 4-2) became playoff eligible by rallying from a 6-0 deficit to beat the Scouts. Brock Williams caught a pair of touchdown passes from Trevor Wallace.
Lakes 35, Grayslake North 0: Ean Ankney fired four touchdown passes as the Eagles (6-2, 5-1) qualified for the state playoffs for the first time since 2021. Ankney also became the all-time leader in Lakes history with 36 touchdown passes. Grayslake North fell to 1-7, 1-5.
Downers Grove South 42, Leyden 10: Downers Grove South led 21-0 at the half as Leyden (3-5, 2-3) had its playoff hopes dashed with the loss.
Niles North 51, Maine East 6: Niles North rolled over Maine East (0-8, 0-4), which scored its first points since the opening week of this season.
North Chicago 55, Round Lake 7: Round Lake (1-7, 0-5) had a rough time with North Chicago.
Mundelein 63, Waukegan 14: Mundelein (2-6, 1-5) bolted to a 35-0 lead in an easy win.