Scouting Sycamore at Kaneland

Sycamore (7-0, 3-0) at Kaneland (7-0, 3-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Kaneland 21, Sycamore 14; Sycamore 40, Kaneland 13 (Class 5A playoffs).

Last week: Sycamore 28, Rochelle 24; Kaneland 34, Yorkville 13.

Outlook: The game of the year in the Northern Illinois Big 12 East Conference, between two Western Sun Conference émigrés. Kaneland and Sycamore enter as the conference's Nos. 1-2 in both scoring and scoring defense Kaneland at 299 points for, 75 against; Sycamore at 259-88. Both run 3-5 defenses and multiple formations, namely shotgun-spread. “It helps out knowing some of their schemes, said Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly. A key difference, though, is Kaneland's big-game experience. Sycamore graduated 2009 Western Sun co-offensive MVP Marckie Hayes and fellow running back Joe Dougherty from last year's 5A quarterfinalist while the Knights return most all key personnel Joe Camiliere, Blake Serpa, Quinn Buschbacher, Taylor Andrews, etc. As Fedderly has mentioned, his offense is producing a nice balance between receiving yardage (1,504) and rushing yardage (1,250). Fedderly reports Sycamore's main offensive weapons are receiver Eric Ray, running back Tommy Nice and quarterback Ryan Bartels. Defensively the Spartans are stout up front with Darrell Mayweathers and Sam Capello. “So with us, we're preaching it starts up front, Fedderly said. Most games do, and defensive linemen Serpa, Jimmy Boyle and Ben Kovalick will seek revenge over last year's playoff loss, as will Kovalick, Ryan Noel, Alex Snyder, Nick Sharp and Sam Komel on the offensive line. Turnovers also come into play in these games the Knights are also plus-8 in turnover ratio headed by Andrews' 3 fumble recoveries and Kyle Davidson's 2 interceptions. “We're excited, Fedderly said. “We're pretty pumped up and ready to go.

Next week: Yorkville (3-4, 1-2) at Sycamore, Oct. 22; Morris (5-2, 2-1) at Kaneland, Oct. 22.