Scouting Lake County playoff football quarterfinals

Lake Zurich (9-2) at Nazareth Academy (10-1)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Nazareth Academy, LaGrange Park

Seeds: Lake Zurich is the No. 4 seed in the top half of the Class 6A bracket: Nazareth Academy is the No. 1 seed

Scouting Lake Zurich: The Bears are the last man standing in Lake County and head to LaGrange Park on the way to Midway Airport to face the 2024 Class 5A state champions. “Naz is a team that knows how to win,” Bears coach Ron Planz said. “They have a great tradition and history and really good players. Coach (Tim) Racki is a hall of fame coach and he will have his team prepared and ready to play. We need to limit their big plays on offense and make sure we control their defensive front and linebackers. They are fast and explosive in all three phases, so we need to make sure we protect the ball and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.” Lake Zurich now has 5 shutouts this season after last week’s win against Antioch and has given up 100 total points in 11 games (9 games holding foes to 9 points or less). “We have played really good team football this year,” Planz said. “Everyone is owning their role and putting in the work. The defense is getting stops and creating turnovers. Offensively, we’ve been able to generate some big plays and score points. I think we have been very solid with our special teams units this year. And overall, our players have prepared every week up to the Lake Zurich standard. They have been prideful about representing our community the right way.” Planz said sophomores Jackson Lewandowski, Rocco Dicanio and Tyler Bonelli-Shultz (who had a pick-6 against Antioch last week) have been key contributors on defense. “They all have had their good and bad moments, but they play hard and make plays,” Planz said. “I’ve been very happy with their progress this year.” Planz said Ethan Elliott (wideout and corner), Cooper Gwizdala and Gavin Shondy (tight end, inside and outside backer) are “glue guys who don’t get much attention,” he said. “Ethan has been a great 2-way player for us. I love the passion and pride Cooper has for Lake Zurich football and the effort he gives all the time. Gavin has been the ultimate team player. He starts at tight end and does a great job doing anything we ask of him. He also has been training at 2 different defensive positions. He is an essential depth piece for us on that side of the ball.” Lake Zurich held Antioch’s high-powered offense to 166 total yards and 27% efficiency on third down while recording 10 tackles for loss. Kaden Abrantes, who ran for 177 yards and a score last week, is up to 1,129 rushing yards this season (11 touchdowns, 7.2 yards per carry). Evan Peterson had 3 catches last week, two for touchdowns. Lake Zurich is now a plus-8 in the turnover category and has 13 quarterback sacks and has given up only one. The Bears are outgaining opponents an average of 332-221 yards per game. “It’s always great to keep playing at this time of the year,” Planz said. “Every extra week we can get together as a team is special.”

Scouting Nazareth Academy: The Roadrunners, who won the state title in 5A a year ago and have won 3 state titles in a row, are up to their old tricks with the only record blemish a 42-23 loss to Class 8A No. 1 Chicago Mt. Carmel. Naz, which won the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Green Division, has scored 30 or more points in 8 games this season and 40 or more points in 6 games, while playing 9 teams with winning records (Lake Zurich will be No. 10). “Lake Zurich has a strong football tradition,” said Racki, 238-79 in 27 seasons with 9 state titles to his credit (4 at defunct Addison Driscoll and 5 now at Naz). “We played them in 2018 in a regular season game. Offensively, they run multiple formations, which forces a defense to really be mindful of responsibilities and checks. They are a great ball-control offense. We must attempt to slow down their run game because they can really eat up time on the clock. They always seem to have a very strong defense year in and year out. This year is no exception. They are extremely physical, athletic and are impressive swarming to the ball. They have creative blitz schemes that our offensive line must be prepared for in terms of communication. They also have a stout run defense.” Racki said the main key to success this season has been consistent improvement on a weekly basis. “Offensively, we are more balanced than we have been the past few years. Credit to our offensive line. I am happy with the growth of our run game. Our passing attack has also produced big plays with a talented wide receiver core. Defensively, we are not as big as we have been in the past, but our defensive speed and athleticism is off the charts. This allows us to be versatile in game planning.” Naz is led by the likes of junior offensive lineman Christian Malachuk (6-1, 280), senior wideout-defensive back Trenton Walker (6-4, 190), senior wideout Jake Cestone (6-1, 175, 42 catches, 891 yards, 17 TDs), junior linebacker-running back Dylan Wellner (6-0, 195) and junior defensive end Chris Kasky (6-5, 220, 21 tackles for loss, 11 sacks). The Roadrunners have outgained opponents an average of 424-221 yards per game, are a plus-5 in the turnover category and have recorded 52 quarterback sacks, 114 tackles for loss, 14 interceptions and have forced 10 fumbles. Quarterback Jackson Failla has thrown for 1,897 yards and 23 touchdowns. Will McGarry has 16 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.

Up next: The winner plays No. 2 Burlington Central (10-1) or No. 11 Fenwick (8-3) in the 6A semifinals next week. If Lake Zurich wins, it either heads to Burlington by Elgin or hosts Oak Park Fenwick.