Undefeated Mundelein faces stiff test from Warren

Mundelein Mustangs (3-0) at Warren Blue Devils (1-2, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last week: Mundelein def. North Chicago, 55-6; Warren def. Lake Forest, 34-28.

Perennial underdog Mundelein is riding a wave of excitement and optimism right into Gurnee.

The last time the Mustangs were 3-0 was 2004. That year, Mundelein started 4-0 and earned a spot in the state playoffs.

"This is a very dangerous team to play," Warren coach Bryan McNulty said of Mundelein. "They're playing well right now. They're on a high right now. We have a respect for what they're doing. Any team that is 3-0 is something to be reckoned with." Quarterback Colten Fisher is at the center of the Mundelein offense. He's rushed for 100-plus yards and passed for 100-plus yards in each of the first three games.

In the season opener alone, against Larkin, Fisher rushed for an astounding 367 yards.

"He is a true weapon," McNulty said of Fisher. "He can beat you with his feet or arm. He's very mobile and will put pressure on our defense."

Tight end Antoine Hicks and running back Jake Gokan are also weapons in the Mundelein offense.

Warren has its own big gainers, starting with running back Darrius Crump, who went over the 100-yard mark for the second time last week. He rushed for more than 1,600 yards last season.

Meanwhile, receiver Nick Marcinkus rolled up 133 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns last week, connecting well with new quarterback Kyle Debevec.

The Blue Devils also torched Lake Forest with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jalen Powe.

"No disrespect to any of the other teams we've played, but Warren will be the best team we've faced," Mundelein coach Larry Calhoun said. "They are so athletic, no weak links. I've watched them on film a lot. A lot of good players, and we don't have the depth they have. That's a really good team. But what a great thing for us. We want to test ourselves against an even better opponent."

The big test for Warren will once again be holding onto the football.

In losses over the first two weeks, the Blue Devils had multiple turnovers in each game that led to touchdowns for the opponent. Against Lake Forest last week, Warren had only 2 turnovers (both interceptions) and neither led to a Lake Forest score.