Todd Hallaron was both baffled and impressed as he watched Kaneland’s game tape for hours leading up to the Barbs’ Sept. 28 game against the Knights.

Whenever the DeKalb coach saw something that was working for Kaneland’s opposition one game, in the slightest bit – like Brooks’ ability to run around the edges – the Knights would shut down that aspect of their opponent’s game the next week. Whenever a team tried to neutralize the Kaneland passing game, its running game would take over, and vice-versa.

The first-year coach realized he had a problem that practically was unsolvable.