Birck, Schurr power Libertyville past Mundelein

Libertyville senior Jeremy Birck saw Wildcats head coach Randy Kuceyeski in rare form before Friday night's game with Mundelein at Butler Lake.

"He was infuriated," Birck said. "He wanted revenge and we were the aggressors from the get-go."

Libertyville responded to the tune of a 48-7 win over the Mustangs to avenge last season's Mundelein win that locked the Wildcats out of the playoffs.

More importantly, it gave the Wildcats their first win of the season - and a conference win at that.

Birck, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver, led the way with 3 touchdown receptions, all coming from senior quarterback A.J. Schurr, and all coming on fade routes.

"The fade route is what I'm famous for," Birck said. "I'm an all-state high-jumper and they like to utilize my height advantage. And A.J. throws a perfect ball."

Schurr was nearly perfect on the night, completing 20-of-27 passes for 3 touchdowns and 298 yards with 1 interception. Hutch Herchenbach played much of the fourth quarter under center, and he completed a pass for 47 yards (a touchdown strike to Sam Styler), giving Libertyville 345 yards passing. Kuceyeski said that was a school record.

Schurr got in a few grooves, completing six straight passes twice, and getting into a 13-for-15 streak in the first half.

"The difference (in Schurr's performance) is that he wasn't sacked," Kuceyeski said. "That was the biggest improvement I saw."

Birck finished the night with 9 receptions for 116 yards, and a personal-best 3 touchdowns.

"He's got great hands, and great athleticism," said Kuceyeski, who has taken on the duties of receivers coach this year ("I picked a great year to do that," he quips).

"His last catch was a perfect display," said Kuceyeski. "That was in traffic, great coverage, and he got up and got the ball and held on to it."

That last reception was a 24-yard pass in the right corner of the end zone, and it forced Birck to use his high-jumping skills.

"I've scored 2 touchdowns before, but three's a little unbelievable," Birck said.

Kuceyeski hinted that he had no trouble firing up his squad leading up to Friday night.

"(The loss last year) wasn't the sole factor," Kuceyeski said. "We were more concerned about this season and getting some wins and getting better."

Mundelein scored its lone touchdown on a 31-yard pass from quarterback Gable Leppert to junior David Tramill. Senior Ryan VanderPloeg, who started the first two games at quarterback, saw limited action, completing his only pass attempt for 40 yards. VanderPloeg is nursing a shoulder injury.

"They had a great game passing the ball," Mundelein coach Bob Stone said. "One of our starting cornerbacks was out, but I don't think that would have made a big difference."