Wauconda wins NLCC outright; Vernon Hills gets fifth win

Posted October 24, 2025 11:20 pm

By Dick Quagliano

It was a huge night for Wauconda and Vernon Hills Friday.

Wauconda knocked off Lakes with an impressive 31-14 home victory. It enabled the Bulldogs to claim the Northern Lake County Conference title for the second year in a row.

Meanwhile, in Vernon Hills, the host Cougars took care of Niles North 35-22 to secure a spot in the state playoffs. It will be the first trip to the s playoffs for the Cougars (5-4) since 2021 and just their second appearance since 2016 when Vernon Hills finished second in the state in Class 5A.

Wauconda (9-0, 7-0) which is on the bubble between 5A and 6A, won the title outright this season after tying Antioch for the title last season. It was also only the second time in Wauconda school history that the Bulldogs went undefeated during the regular season.

The Bulldogs used a pair of pick-sixes to help power their win. Khalil Roberson and Rocco Garcia each had interception returns for touchdowns for Wauconda.

Luke Sickmeier caught a touchdown pass from Jake Thorstenson and Jackson Rudolph ran for touchdown while Garcia added a field goal.

“We feel pretty good about all this,” said Wauconda coach Chris Prostka, whose Bulldogs are making their fifth consecutive appearance in the playoffs.

“We have some tough kids. Tonight Lakes did a great job. They were physical. But our boys did a great job of being up to the challenge.”

Lakes (6-3, 5-2) also qualified for the playoffs.

Vernon Hills is feeling pretty good about itself. The Cougars bounced back into the playoffs with a solid victory thanks to a huge night from Giuseppe Urso

“It feels pretty good,” Vernon Hills coach Bill Bellecomo said. “Our kids have worked hard to get to this point and I am very proud of them.

Urso rushed for four touchdowns and over 200 yards to power the Cougars. Langston Miller also ran for a touchdown for Vernon Hills.

Prospect 56, Elk Grove 28: Prospect (7-2, 4-1) rolled past Elk Grove (3-6, 2-3) to bounce back from last week’s loss to Hersey.

Maine South 56, Deerfield 14: Maine South (8-1, 5-0) steamrolled its way to another undefeated season in the CSL South as the Hawks won their eighth in a row.