Scouting Lake County first round playoff football games

Vernon Hills (5-4) at Prairie Ridge (9-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.; Prairie Ridge High School, Crystal Lake

Seeds: Vernon Hills is the No. 16 seed in the top half of the Class 5A bracket; Prairie Ridge is the No. 1 seed.

Outlook: Hey, how about the Vernon Hills turnaround? The Cougars started the season 1-4 after a rough stretch where it lost 4 games in a row by a combined count of 154-20. And then coach Bill Bellecomo’s squad rattled off 4 wins in a row (giving up a combined 35 points in those games, including 3 performances of allowing 10 or less points), put itself in contention for the Central Suburban North title and earned itself a playoff berth. “We started the season 1-4. Everything that could go wrong for us did,” Bellecomo said, “but the boys kept working and kept overcoming adversity to get here. We are going to have fun and make the best of our opportunity. No one thought we would be here 4 weeks ago.” Prairie Ridge won the Fox Valley Conference playing all conference games (9-0) and outscored foes 355-182 (half of the conference’s 10 teams made the postseason). “Prairie Ridge is a very good football team that runs their offense to perfection,” Bellecomo said. “The quarterback (Luke Vanderwiel) is one of the best all-around high school players I have ever seen in a long time. It will be a challenge, but these boys have been answering the bell. For the last 4 weeks we have been playing under playoff conditions.” Prairie Ridge was the unanimous No. 1 team in Class 5A in the most recent Class 5A Associated Press state poll. The Wolves, 3-time state champions, are 59-11 since 2019 (not counting COVID year) and finished second in the state in 2019 and 2022. Vernon Hills is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Up Next: Winner plays either No. 9 St. Francis (6-3) or No. 8 Morgan Park (6-3)

Chicago St. Patrick (5-4) at Wauconda (9-0)

When: Saturday, 2 p.m.; Wauconda High School

Seeds: St. Patrick is the No. 14 seed in the top half of the Class 5A bracket; Wauconda is the No. 3 seed.

Outlook: The Bulldogs are the only remaining Lake County-area undefeated team, doing so with impressive play on both sides of the football. Jake Thorstenson has passed for 980 yards and has 12 total touchdowns, while Jackson Rudolph has run for 1,244 yards and has 24 total touchdowns. Cole Korycanek has 1,022 total yards of offense and 11 total touchdowns. Brody Rudolph has racked up 436 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Luke Sickmeir has 502 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. On defense, Brody Rudolph has 58 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, while Jackson Rudolph has 48 tackles. Eric Alvarado has 61 tackles, while Khalil Roberson has 35 tackles, 2 picks and a 1 defensive touchdown. Noah Kosiek has 31 tackles and 3 interceptions. “I like the attitude of our team,” Wauconda coach Chris Prostka said. “They expect adversity and are resilient. We have been in tough spots this year, and they have always found a way to meet the challenge. This is an experienced group with many of the seniors having been on varsity for 3 years. They know what a playoff atmosphere is about.” Rocco Garcia is a perfect 30-for-30 on extra points (2-for-3 field goals) and also has 2 interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Prostka also lauded the play of right tackle Francisco Guijarro, who has started every game there. “He has become a big piece for us in short-yardage situations and has come in to help make some huge fourth-down stops,” he said. Martin Corona (both lines) and Sebastian Hammond (defensive line) also have been key, Prostka noted. “Sebastian is an important part of our defense,” he said. “He has good speed and quickness to go along with strength to take on double teams. Martin, along with serving as one of our captains, is a major contributor on both the offensive and defensive lines. He is a smart player, but also physical.” St. Patrick won the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Purple Division, but has lost every game it has played against teams with winning records (7-2 Yorkville, 8-1 Brother Rice, 5-4 St. Laurence and 5-4 St. Rita). “St. Pat’s is a solid team with a strong tradition,” Prostka said. “They play fast and physical. We need to get into rhythm offensively and attack. We will need to tackle well because they have some playmakers who can break big plays. Limiting penalties is always important as well.”

Up next: Winner plays No. 11 Sycamore (5-4) or No. 6 Cary-Grove (7-2)

Lakes (6-3) at Kaneland (7-2)

When: Saturday, 5 p.m.; Kaneland High School, Maple Park

Seeds: Lakes is the No. 10 seed in the top half of the Class 5A bracket; Kaneland is the No. 7 seed.

Scouting Lakes: The Eagles, back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021, head west to just outside DeKalb to face a Knights team that finished second in the Interstate Eight Conference where 5 of the 7 squads made the playoffs. “Kaneland is a good football program that plays in a good football conference,” Lakes coach Jason Ellerman said. “They are a spread team that runs and throws the ball efficiently. Their offensive line is physical and they block well for running back Carter Grabowski. They are a 3-4 defense that tackles well and likes to blitz.” Lakes is led defensively by Dillan Davis, who leads the team with 82 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. Davis is the team’s all-time career sacks leader. Ellerman added Tyler McCall has done a “great job” opposite Davis at outside backer. McCall is the team’s fourth-leading tackler. Ean Ankney has thrown for 1,659 yards and 21 touchdowns. He distributes the ball evenly where Mason Gialo, Trent Miller and Will Mercure each has 29 receptions. Nick Waterman starts both ways at guard and inside linebacker for the Eagles. “Nick plays a lot of iron-man football,” Ellerman noted. “He rarely comes off the field.”

Scouting Kaneland: The Knights are led by the likes of seniors Grabowski, quarterback Jalen Carter, offensive-defensive lineman Jake Buckley and free safety Brady Alstott. “We know Lakes is having a great year and has some nice athletes in their spread offense,” Kaneland coach Mike Thorgesen said. “We know we have to slow their passing attack down and get the ball into our offense’s hands and score points.”

Up next: Winner plays No. 15 Noble/Bulls (5-4) or No. 2 Belvidere North (9-0)

Grant (6-3) at Lake Zurich (7-2)

When: Saturday, Noon; Lake Zurich High School

Seeds: Grant is the No. 13 seed in the top half of the Class 6A bracket: Lake Zurich is the No. 4 seed.

Scouting Grant: Let’s ring this one up as our Lake County Blue Plate Special of the week with some county vs. county action. These teams have 2 common opponents in Mundelein and Antioch. Grant beat Mundelein 42-13, while Lake Zurich beat Mundelein 35-0. Grant lost 35-30 to Antioch and Lake Zurich beat Antioch 33-0. “Lake Zurich is a big, physical team that runs the ball well and is efficient on offense,” Grant coach Tim Norwood said. “They have a very strong, well-disciplined defense as they do year in and year out.” Senior inside linebacker Logan Myers has 113 tackles (the next closest on the team has 58). “Logan is our leader on defense,” Norwood said. Senior quarterback Matthew Gipson has thrown for 1,899 yards and has 31 total touchdowns (23 passing, 8 with his legs). “Matthew has done a great job leading our offense,” Norwood said. Senior wideout Max Hembrey is one of the state’s leaders in receiving yards (1,063) and has 16 touchdowns. “On offense, we have taken care of the ball and been able to score points,” said Norwood, whose squad averages 41 points per game. “We will need to continue to do so as we enter the playoffs.” Running back Tyler Zdon has 1,126 rushing yards, averaged 10.6 yards a carry and has 16 rushing touchdowns.

Scouting Lake Zurich: Lake Zurich is 7-0 when it gives up 10 or fewer points (4 shutouts) and 0-2 when it allows 20 or more. “I thought the last 2 weeks we have played good football in all 3 phases,” Bears coach Ron Planz said. “Even though we went 1-1 over the last 2 weeks, I felt like things really started to click. We’ve played fast and physical. If that continues, I am excited to see how we do in the playoffs.” The Bears will encounter a high-octane Grant offense. “Grant is a tough, physical team,” Planz said. “They have very good skill players at running back, wide receiver and quarterback. Their linebackers are aggressive and their safeties play the run well. For us to be successful this week, we need to make sure we control the line of scrimmage on both sides and limit their big plays. We need to play sound, mistake-free football.” Planz said linebacker Arturo Zarinana, Chris Chang (both sides of the ball) and Evan Peterson, on offense, defense and special teams, have been playing lights out football, in particular, of late. “Those 3 guys bring a tremendous amount of effort to practice every day and it’s showing up on game day. Change has 2 rushing touchdowns and a forced fumble against Stevenson last week, while Zarinana had a pick-6 and Peterson returned a punt for a score. Lake Zurich was ranked No. 9 in the most recent Associated Press Class 6A state poll. The Bears hold a 2,644-1,793 total offense advantage over their opponents this season, holding opposing offenses to 97 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. Chang has 39 catches for 625 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Reid Pfeifer has thrown for 1,168 yards and 13 touchdowns. Kaden Abrantes has run for 810 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Up next: Winner plays No. 12 Glenbard South (6-3) or No. 5 Antioch (7-2)

Glenbard South (6-3) at Antioch (7-2)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Antioch High School

Seeds: Glenbard South is the No. 12 seed in the top half of the Class 6A bracket: Antioch is the No. 5 seed.

Scouting Glenbard South: The Raiders, located on the south side of Glen Ellyn, play in the Upstate Eight Conference East Division and have a 1-3 record against playoff teams. “Antioch football has a strong tradition of success,” South coach Ryan Crissey said. “The Antioch football team is very similar to the ones Glenbard South has seen in the past, dating back to 2008. They are incredibly well coached, disciplined and physical. They do not make many mistakes on either side of the ball. For us to be successful Saturday, we will have to limit Antioch’s explosive plays, force them to be one dimensional on offense and control the line of scrimmage.” Sophomore 2-year varsity starter Elijah Donahue (RB-DB) has run for 1,140 yards and 18 touchdowns (11.1 yards per carry) and has 5 pass deflections and 3 interceptions on defense. Senior 3-year varsity starter Cecil Tousant (DL) has 44 tackles, 3 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles. Senior 2-year starter Troy Oleksak (TE-LB) has 202 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns and has 44 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown to his credit. Senior 3-year starter Ari Ioannou (LB) has 56 tackles and 5 tackles for loss.

Scouting Antioch: Veteran Sequoits coach Brian Glashagel pointed out Antioch and Glenbard South are the only 2 public schools to petition up to Class 6A two years ago because of the heavy private-school presence in Class 5A “and now we draw each other in Round 1,” he said. Glashagel said defensive lineman Owen Shea (18 tackles for loss, 7 sacks) is having an all-state year, while wideout-defensive back Damion Johnson continues “to make play after play on offense and defense,” he added. Glashagel said he’s pleased with the effort he continues to see from his team. “Our kids play with relentless effort on every play,” he said. Glashagel noted South coach Crissey “always does a great job with that program and this year is no different,” he said. “In order to be successful against them and really in the playoffs, it comes down to the turnover ratio, penalty ratio and big plays. We need to win those categories.” Antioch is averaging 41.4 points a game and has piled up 2,858 rushing yards or 317.6 per game. Gavin Stone (844 yards, 11 TDs), Logan Lennon (783 yards, 9 TDs), Kelen Wilson (490 yards, 10 TDs), Jack Bucar (301 yards, 3 TDs), Marcus Macias (247 yards, 4 TDs) and Colin Arquilla (193 yards, 3 TDs) all have joined in on the fun. Johnson has 379 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Henry Lubkeman leads the defense with 75 tackles (2 sacks). Antioch was ranked No. 13 in the most recent AP Class 6A poll.

Up next: Winner plays No. 13 Grant (6-3) or No. 4 Lake Zurich (7-2)

Libertyville (5-4) at Burlington Central (8-1)

When: Saturday, 6 p.m.; Central High School, Burlington

Seeds: Libertyville is the No. 15 seed in the top half of the Class 6A bracket: Burlington Central is the No. 2 seed.

Scouting Libertyville: The Wildcats, who head out just west of Elgin off Illinois 47 for this first-round tussle, are back in the playoffs thanks to wins in 4 of their last 5 games. Trevor Wallace has thrown for 1,244 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Aidan Weaver has run for a team-high 438 yards. Brock Williams has 580 receiving yards (14.5 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns. Erich Waldorff has a team-high 67 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Kaden Butt has 8 tackles for loss, while Jacob Syc has 7 tackles for loss. Logan Tayfel has 3 sacks and Nick Ori has 3 interceptions for Libertyville.

Scouting Burlington Central: Rockets coach Brian Iossi doesn’t care what Libertyville’s record is. “I know Libertyville is a playoff team and that is all that matters,” he said. “Regular-season records don’t matter. It’s the playoffs and we have to come out and play our best brand of football every week.” The Rockets finished 8-1 in the Fox Valley Conference, moving through the entire loop except for a 28-7 loss to 5A state No. 1 Prairie Ridge. Central was ranked No. 5 in the most recent Class 6A state poll. “We’re an incredibly deep team with a lot of contributors every week,” Iossi said. “It’s hard to narrow it down to 3-4 guys. Our offensive and defensive lines have been the bedrock for our team this year and have set the tone every week.”

Up next: Winner plays No. 10 Mather (6-3) or No. 7 Harlem (7-2)

Normal Community (7-2) at Carmel Catholic (7-2)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein

Seeds: Normal is the No. 19 seed in the 32-team Class 7A bracket; Carmel is the No. 14 seed.

Scouting Normal Community: Normal will make the 150-mile haul north up to Mundelein from central Illinois for this Saturday matinee contest. The Ironmen, out of the Big Twelve Conference, are 3-2 this season against teams with winning records. Normal is led on offense by junior quarterback Lucas Beaty, junior wideout Luke Potts and senior running back Cole Kretsigner, and on defense by seniors Murphy Brennan (LB), Kelan Augstin (DL) and Colton LeCompte (LB). “Carmel is very talented, athletic, big and extremely well coached,” Normal Community coach Jason Drengwitz said. “They are battle tested playing in a great offense.” Drengwitz added Carmel is “outstanding on offense with an elite quarterback, talented wide receiver, talented running back and are big and physical upfront,” he said. “They are excellent on defense with multiple fronts and coverage. They are big, athletic and physical and run to the ball extremely well. It will be a huge challenge for us on the road.”

Scouting Carmel: The Corsairs closed out the regular season with 3 wins in a row and were ranked No. 7 in the most recent Class 7A AP state poll. Two of Carmel’s wins during this current streak came against defending state champions in DePaul Prep and Loyola, plus a win against playoff-qualifier Fenwick. “Normal is a good football team that is well coached and has a lot of talent,” Carmel coach Jason McKie noted. “They play physical in the trenches, especially. Both lines are solid. Their quarterback is pretty athletic and has a good arm. It’s an overall good football team. I can see why they are a playoff team.” Carmel’s offense continues to churn out eye-popping numbers, averaging 510 yards of total offense per game. “We have a lot of talent, but talent only gets you so far,” McKie said. “They have been all-in with the prep and have bought in since Day 1. It’s not us demanding them to do the little things to be better and elite. They want to be a good offense. It’s them collectively getting together when the coaches are not around. It’s the 5 a.m. Zoom calls breaking down tape and defenses. It shows on the field. They are able to go out there and play fast and confident with a firm understanding of the game as a whole and their opponents. That allows them to use their athleticism to make plays. Their prep is very detailed and they have owned it.” Standout quarterback and Nebraska commit Trae Taylor has thrown for 2,931 yards and 33 touchdowns (against 3 picks) while completing 81 percent of his passes. He’s also run for 462 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and 9 touchdowns. Jaquel Edmonds (591 rushing yards, 8 TDs) and Jorden Moore (521 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns) have helped the Carmel running game, while Taylor has 4 receivers in Kai Owens (732 yards, 9 TDs), Greg Bess-Henning (700 yards, 11 touchdowns), Eli Jackson (611 yards, 4 TDs) and Kyron Hart (566 yards, 7 touchdowns) all over 500 receiving yards. Jameer Miles has team highs on defense with 11 tackles for loss and 5 interceptions, while Kristian Chadick has 9 tackles for loss and a team-high 5 sacks. Carmel’s defense has 12 picks in 9 games and holds a plus-11 advantage in the turnover battle. “We definitely didn’t want to be a frontrunner, a team that plays its best at the beginning of the season,” McKie said. “I like the fact we have gotten better each week. Everybody has developed and gotten better. All three phases have improved. The offense has kept putting up points and has been sustainable and has answered the call in critical situations. Our defense has grown a lot. We lost a lot of guys on that side from last year and have had guys step up and make plays and generate takeaways and have come through in critical moments. Our special teams have gotten better. This is when you want to be playing your best football and we are playing well at the right time.”

Up next: Winner plays No. 30 East Moline United (5-4) or No. 3 St. Charles North (8-1)

Stevenson (6-3) at Lincoln-Way East (7-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.; Lincoln-Way East High School, Frankfort

Seeds: Stevenson is the No. 24 seed in the 32-team Class 8A bracket; Lincoln-Way East is the No. 9 seed.

Outlook: Stevenson, ranked 14th in the most recent Class 8A AP state poll, has lost 2 of its last 3 to state-ranked squads in 8-1 Warren and 7-2 Lake Zurich, and will encounter perennial state power Lincoln-Way East. East plays in the Southwest Valley Conference Blue Division and has a 3-2 mark against teams with winning records. However, the Griffins roll into the playoffs having lost their last 2 games to Naperville North (14-6) and Sandburg (21-13). Prior to those 2 losses, East had outscored its first 7 opponents 314-48. East did play the last 2 games without state-record-setting quarterback Jonas Williams and defensive lineman Jacob Alexander due to injuries.

Up next: Winner plays No. 25 Palatine (5-4) or No. 8 Whitney Young (8-1)

New Trier (5-4) at Warren Township (8-1)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.; Warren Township O’Plaine Campus, Gurnee

Seeds: New Trier is the No. 28 seed in the 32-team Class 8A bracket; Warren is the No. 5 seed

Outlook: The Blue Devils, ranked No. 6 in the most recent AP Class 8A state poll, sewed up the North Suburban title last week with a win against Libertyville and have now won 7 games in a row. “New Trier is a well-coached team that does not beat itself,” Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. “They are smart and competitive. We will need to play our game and be disciplined. We are excited for this second season to begin.” Warren standout running back Aaron Stewart is up to 2,456 yards on 242 carries (averages just over a first down every time the ball is handed off to him) and 42 touchdowns. Defensive back Zion Vines-Peterson has 74 tackles and 2 picks. McNulty noted tight end Hunter Kleiboer is becoming a huge part of the Warren special teams units, while free safety Mason Durst “is the barometer of our defense,” McNulty said. “He is a second coach on the field.” Wide receiver-defensive back Simon Castillo is a 2-way player “who leads our entire team,” McNulty said. “He is tough and disciplined and embodies what our program is about.” McNulty said he’s happy with Warren’s willingness to take coaching and improve. “These kids have done everything we have asked and are competitive,” he said. New Trier plays in the Central Suburban Conference South Division and has a 1-4 record against teams with an above .500 mark.

Up next: Winner plays No. 21 Oswego East (6-3) or No. 12 Bolingbrook (7-2)