PREP FOOTBALL: Week 9 preview capsules
By DAILY CHRONICLE STAFF
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sports@daily-chronicle.com
Glenbard South (6-2, 5-1 WSC) at Sycamore (6-2, 4-2 WSC)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Location: Sycamore High School’s Engh Community Field
Radio: AM-1360 WLBK, pregame at 7 p.m.
Last meeting: Glenbard South 13, Sycamore 0, on Oct. 24, 2008
Scouting the opposition: Everything that Glenbard South does on offense runs through quarterback Trace Wanless, who ran for 148 yards and a touchdown while throwing for 83 more with a touchdown pass in a 21-7 win against Kaneland. The Raiders’ leader on defense is linebacker Austin Teitsma, a returning all-Western Sun Conference performer. Glenbard South beat the Spartans in a weird lightning-delayed game last year that was nearly postponed it ended so late. This year, the Spartans are looking to get them back.
Keys to victory: Sycamore needs to stick with what works, handing the ball to Marckie Hayes and Joe Dougherty behind a veteran offensive line. Despite all that the offense has done this season, it’s really the Spartans’ defense that’s been the star. It has played disciplined football and gotten into the backfield to make plays against both the pass and the run that have helped the Spartans get into position to earn a home playoff game with a win.
Prediction: Sycamore 20, Glenbard South 14
– Jon Styf, jstyf@daily-chronicle.com
Byron (1-7, 1-3 BNC West) at Genoa-Kingston (4-4, 1-3 BNC West)
Game time: 7 p.m. today
Last meeting: Genoa-Kingston 15, Byron 13, on Oct. 24, 2008, at Byron
Scouting the opposition: Byron has struggled on defense throughout the season, giving up an average of 25.3 points a game, but the Tigers have improved since starting the season 0-4.
Byron lost to Oregon by only four, did not get a running clock set on it by Stillman Valley and then beat Rockford Lutheran, 48-7. Jared King leads Byron on the ground with 484 rushing yards.
“Byron is kind of similar to us, they’re a young team,” G-K coach Bill McCarty said. “In fact, they’re younger than us probably.”
Keys to victory: This is it for Genoa-Kingston. The Cogs must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Even with a win, G-K needs some help as the Cogs are 41st in the IHSA Class 3A playoff outlook and only 32 teams make the playoffs.
“It comes down to this,” McCarty said. “I was kind of hoping it wouldn’t, but it does.”
The Cogs have to continue to improve in the passing game and must get their running game back on track against the Tigers to put themselves in position to make the playoffs.
Prediction: Genoa-Kingston 28, Byron 17
– John Sahly, jsahly@daily-chronicle.com
North Shore Country Day (2-6) at Hiawatha (4-4)
Game time: 7 p.m. today
Location: Hiawatha High School
Last meeting: Hiawatha won, 33-0, last year.
Scouting the Opposition: With only four seniors, North Shore Country Day is a young team that likes to run the spread offense. The Raiders’ 2-6 record might be a little deceiving as they have lost to three teams that are 7-1. It is conceivable that all six of their loses could be to playoff teams. Still, coach Jim Deuble’s team has been outscored, 256-108.
Keys to victory: The most important thing is to not get distracted. “We need to remain focused at the goal at hand, finish with a winning record,” Hiawatha coach Sean Donnelly said. “As big as the win was last Friday, I really think the players realize that last Friday’s win means nothing without a win this Friday.” A win would give the Hawks, who have won three straight, a 5-4 record and their first winning record in about 20 years, as well as an outside shot at the playoffs.
But it will come with a challenge. Hiawatha’s leading rusher, Angel Hernandez (843 yards) is a little sore – which will come from carrying the ball 32 times a game. Plus, a more consequential injury might be to Jake Papke, who hurt his knee last week. Donnelly said he is waiting for an MRI on the versatile junior, who starts at linebacker, wide receiver and long snapper.
Prediction: Hiawatha 23, NSCD 6
– Doug Oleson, Shaw Suburban Media
Kaneland (5-3, 4-2 WSC) at Yorkville (3-5, 2-4 WSC)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today
Location: Yorkville High School
Directions: Head east on Keslinger Road and take IL-47 south. Make a right on 34 and then a left on Game Farm Road. Yorkville High School will be on your right.
Last meeting: Kaneland 34, Yorkville 0, on Oct. 24, 2008
Scouting the opposition: Eliminated from playoff contention with last week’s 27-3 loss to Sycamore, all the Foxes can do is play spoiler. Tony LaMantia will see the majority of the carries and is the Foxes’ biggest threat on offense. LaMantia struggled against Sycamore, running for just 38 yards on 17 carries, but had 101 yards rushing on 24 carries two weeks ago against Batavia. Fullback Will Parker will be the Foxes’ other rushing threat along with QB Luke Parece. This Yorkville squad is a better team than the one Kaneland shut out last season.
Keys to victory: Kaneland basically lost its hopes for a conference title with last week’s 27-24 defeat at the hands of Geneva, but a win guarantees a playoff berth for the Knights and they still are playing for seeding. QB Joe Camiliere and WR Ryley Bailey continued their outstanding seasons against Geneva, as Camiliere went 20-for-38 with 245 yards and three TD passes, while Bailey had 13 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: Kaneland 35, Yorkville 10
– Steve Nitz, sports@daily-chronicle.com
Rochelle (5-3, 3-3 WSC) at DeKalb (1-7, 0-6 WSC)
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Northern Illinois University’s Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
Last meeting: Rochelle 44, DeKalb 8, on Oct. 24, 2008
Scouting the opposition: The Hubs are playoff eligible but a win would make them an automatic qualifier. Rochelle plays down-hill and physical. Against Batavia, both Barbs’ lines were blown off the ball. That should play right into the Hubs’ game plan and turn tonight’s game into a running exhibition. “Right now we are just getting beat up front,” DeKalb coach Marty Sanders said. “It’s tough to find something on play cards when that’s happening.”
Keys to victory: DeKalb is trying to post a good showing on senior night. Sanders and his staff have worked this week to keep the team focused on long-term goals and practicing hard all the way to the final horn sounds. “We have to continue to believe, and I think right now we are all in,” Sanders said. Dylan Donnelly ran for 100 yards on sweeps and has developed into the impact player. “We want to send the seniors out on top with a great senior night,” Sanders said. “That would put a nice cap on the season; beating a team that on paper we should not beat.”
Prediction: Rochelle 49, DeKalb 6
– James Nokes, sports@daily-chronicle.com
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