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Scouting Week 8 in Lake County

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Maine East Blue Demons (0-7, 0-3) at Vernon Hills Cougars (2-5, 0-3)When: 7 p.m., Friday

Last week: Maine East lost to Glenbrook North, 54-0; Vernon Hills lost to Maine West, 54-0.

Skinny: Both of these teams could really use a win. Maine East is still searching for its first win of the season, and Vernon Hills has suffered five straight losses. The Blue Demons have been upside down in their scoring averages, allowing 43.1 points per game, most in the Central Suburban North, and scoring just 7.7 points per game, least in the conference. Vernon Hills also lets up a lot of points, second most in the league at 36 points per game. But the Cougars score 22.1 points per game. Last week in a decisive loss to first-place Maine West, Vernon Hills had a bright spot in forcing and recovering 3 fumbles, including 2 by Jake Morris.

Next: Maine East at Highland Park; Vernon Hills at Glenbrook North

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Notre Dame Dons (6-1, 4-1) at Carmel Corsairs (3-4, 3-2)

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Last week: Notre Dame defeated St. Patrick, 41-20; Carmel defeated Marian Central Catholic, 31-13.

Skinny: Carmel needs to win out to have a shot at the playoffs on points and faces a tough roadblock in Notre Dame. In the highly competitive East Suburban Catholic Conference, Notre Dame is tied for second place with a very strong Nazareth Academy team. Marist is in first place in the conference at 5-0 in ESCC games. The Dons, who have won four straight games, boast the best offense in the ESCC at 36.1 points per game as well as the best defense in the league. Notre Dame allows only 9.7 points per game. Carmel has won two of its last three games. Sophomore running back Syone Usma-Harper has been a workhorse for the Corsairs in taking over for the injured Sean Lynch.

Next: Joliet Catholic at Notre Dame; St. Patrick at Carmel

NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE

Stevenson Patriots (6-1, 4-1) at Warren Blue Devils (6-1, 5-0)When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Last week: Stevenson defeated Waukegan, 42-0; Warren defeated Lake Zurich, 34-6.

Skinny: This one will essentially determine the North Suburban Conference title, unless something unexpected happens in Week 9. The winner of this game will likely be the conference champion. A Warren win would give the Blue Devils the title outright, provided they win out. And a Stevenson win would force a tie but give the Patriots the tiebreaker over Warren, provided they win out. Stevenson and Warren have been the best teams in the league all season. Warren has the best defense in Lake County, allowing 6.7 points per game with four shutouts. The Stevenson defense, which has pitched two straight shutouts and three overall, is right behind as the second-best defense in the NSC, allowing 8.4 points per game. Offensively, the roles are reversed. Stevenson ranks No. 1 in the league with an offense that scores 34.6 points per game while Warren in right behind with 29.7 points per game. Warren, which has won six straight games, was tagged with its only loss in the season opener to Barrington (31-14). Running back Martin Walker Jr. has been a one-man wrecking crew at times for the Warren offense.. Stevenson has its own tough-to-stop running back in JM Etienne.

Next: Lake Forest at Stevenson; Warren at Mundelein

Lake Forest Scouts (3-4, 3-2) at Libertyville Wildcats (2-5, 2-3)When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Last week: Lake Forest lost to Zion-Benton, 30-28; Libertyville defeated Mundelein, 34-14.

Skinny: Libertyville is out of playoff contention but will be facing two teams over the final two weeks (Zion-Benton in Week 9) that still have playoff hopes on the line. The Wildcats will be looking to finish on a high note, and play the role of spoiler. Libertyville is trending upward, with wins in two of its last three games. The passing game was big for Liberytville last week against Mundelein as quarterback Thomas Monken rolled up 336 passing yards and 3 touchdowns.

Next: Lake Forest at Stevenson; Libertyville at Zion-Benton

Mundelein Mustangs (2-5, 1-4) at Lake Zurich Bears (4-3, 3-2)When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Last week: Mundelein lost to Libertyville, 34-14; Lake Zurich lost to Warren, 34-6.

Skinny: Lake Zurich is looking to shake off a rough loss to Warren last week with back-to-back games against the two last place teams in the North Suburban Conference. Wins against Mundelein and Waukegan over the next two weeks will put Lake Zurich into the Class 7A playoffs with six wins. The Bears are hoping that their offense, which has scored just 20 points over the last two weeks, will get some confidence over the next two weeks and be ready for the playoffs ... Mundelein, which has suffered three straight losses, is allowing 28.6 points per game.

Next: Warren at Mundelein; Lake Zurich at Waukegan

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY CONFERENCE

Lakes Eagles (6-1, 5-0) at Antioch Sequoits (7-0, 5-0)When: 7:15 p.m., Friday

Last week: Lakes defeated Grayslake Central, 49-0; Antioch defeated Round Lake, 72-0.

Skinny: It's a family feud. The Northern Lake County Conference championship is on the line in Antioch between two sister schools. Antioch and Lakes, in the same district, will determine the title in a battle of NLCC unbeatens. Antioch is also undefeated overall and hoping to run the table for back-to-back-to-back undefeated seasons. Both Antioch and Lakes are entering this game with big momentum from Week 7. The two teams won their games last week by a combined 121-0. Antioch tied a school record for most points in a game (72), and set a record for biggest margin of victory. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had 5 touchdowns last week for the Sequoits. Running back D'Lo Hardy and quarterback Chris Selig each had 2 touchdowns last week for Lakes. And Hardy, who also plays defense, had his school-record seventh interception of the season last week.

Next: Round Lake at Lakes; Antioch at North Chicago

Grayslake North Knights (3-4, 3-2) at Grant Bulldogs (3-4, 3-2)When: 7:15 p.m., Friday

Last week: Grayslake North defeated Wauconda, 21-14; Grant defeated North Chicago, 10-3.

Skinny: The playoffs are still on the table for both of these teams, but they will both need to win out to have a chance to qualify on points. Grayslake North has been on a roll, winning three straight games, including a thriller last week against Wauconda. Quarterback Austin Martineau hit Zach Carter for a short touchdown pass in the final minutes to secure the win. Martineau completed 20-of-30 passes for 290 yards. The Grant defense came through last week, holding a dangerous North Chicago offense to just a field goal.

Next: Grayslake Central at Grayslake North; Wauconda at Grant

North Chicago Warhawks (2-5, 1-4) at Grayslake Central Rams (1-6, 1-4)When: 7:15 p.m., Friday

Last week: North Chicago lost to Grant, 10-3; Grayslake Central lost to Lakes, 49-0.

Skinny: The end zone has been an elusive place for Grayslake Central, which has been shut out for two straight weeks, 55-0 to Antioch and then 49-0 to Lakes. The Rams are averaging 10.3 points per game, fewest in the Northern Lake County Conference. North Chicago has also had a tough time putting points on the scoreboard lately. Over the last two weeks (losses to Wauconda and Grant), the Warhawks have scored a total of only 15 points.

Next: Antioch at North Chicago, Grayslake Central at Grayslake North

Round Lake Panthers (1-6, 0-5) at Wauconda Bulldogs (3-4, 2-3)When: 7:15 p.m., Friday

Last week: Round Lake lost to Antioch, 72-0; Wauconda lost to Grayslake North, 21-14.

Skinny: A playoff spot is still a possibility for Wauconda, which could qualify on points by winning out. The Bulldogs are licking their wounds after a loss in the final minutes last week to Grayslake North but could get well fast against a Round Lake team that has lost five straight games and is allowing 38.9 points per game, most in the Northern Lake County Conference. Against Grayslake North last week, Wauconda running back Eric Trela had 88 yards on 21 carries.

Next: Round Lake at Lakes; Wauconda at Grant

  Warren's Martin Walker Jr., right, gets past Lake Zurich's Bryan Sanborn last week. Warren plays Stevenson Friday night for the North Suburban Conference title. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Lakes' Christopher Selig looks to throw during earlier this season. Lakes takes on Antioch Friday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Antioch's Brandon Reynolds (2) is lifted in the air by Ben Nauman earlier this season. Antioch takes on Lakes Friday night. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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