Lake County Playoff Preview & Prospects to Know
Darnell Clay
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There's nothing like playoff football in the Land of Lincoln.
COVID robbed us of a playoff last season, so you can be assured the anticipation and stakes are at an all-time high as the athletes get ready to step on the field this Friday.
Ten teams will represent Lake County in this year's IHSA playoffs. Three of the ten teams are serious contenders to win a state title, so it'll be interesting to see how things play out since the last time Lake County had a state champion was back in 2014.
So without further ado, let's get to know the ten teams and their key prospects who will be representing Lake County in this year's IHSA playoffs.
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<h4>(5) Warren Blue Devils | 8A</h4>
2021 Fall Record- 8-1
PF/G 38.6 PA/G 3.0
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: 10/29 vs. Barrington (5-4)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: Warren plays an old-fashioned brand of football. They’re going to run the ball down your throat and play stout defense—it’s really that simple. Their defense gave up only 3 points per game, posted six shutouts, and didn’t allow an opponent to score over 14 points in a single game this season, and I don’t expect that trend to change in their first-round matchup against Barrington. This defense is loaded and has one of the most versatile d-lines in the state; on offense, Vandy commit [player_tooltip player_id="20874" first="Maurice" last="Edwards"] is more than capable of carrying this team through a deep 8A playoff run as he finishes the season with 1,387 rushing yards.
<strong>5 Prospects to Know</strong>:
[player_tooltip player_id="158019" first="Jailen" last="Duffie"] | ATH | ’23
[player_tooltip player_id="20874" first="Maurice" last="Edwards"] | RB | ’22
[player_tooltip player_id="65813" first="Jalen" last="Handford"] | LB | ’22
Kameron Shaw | DL | ’22
[player_tooltip player_id="119134" first="Benjamin" last="Wilson"] | DB | ’22
<h4>(2) Wauconda Bulldogs | 6A</h4>
2021 Fall Record- 9-0
PF/G 44.6 PA/G 7.6
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: 10/29 vs. Lakes (5-4)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: Wauconda brings their high-powered offense and impenetrable defense into a first-round matchup they are all too familiar with. They’ll be facing off against conference foe Lakes Eagles, who they defeated 29-13 back in week six. Wauconda is similar to the other top team in Lake County as they also run the ball very well and play a sound brand of defense. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id="155091" first="Vince" last="Bennett"] has been the driving force behind Wauconda’s offensive attack and I expect the dual-threat to keep his foot on the gas as he hopes to lead Wauconda through a deep playoff run.
<strong>5 Prospects to know</strong>:
[player_tooltip player_id="155091" first="Vince" last="Bennett"] | QB | ’22
Ryan Stephan | OL | ’22
Bret Kazimour | OL | ’22
Colin Husko | RB | ’22
[player_tooltip player_id="155390" first="Nick" last="Bennett"] | ATH | ’22
<h4>(7) Libertyville Wildcats | 7A</h4>
2021 Fall Record- 6-3
PF/G 23.8 PA/G 20.4
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: 10/29 @ Pekin (7-2)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: I believe one of Libertyville’s biggest strengths is its offensive line. If the big boys upfront can protect Connor Dickson and create running lanes for Tommy Latka, then there’s no reason why Libertyville shouldn’t be moving on to the second round of the IHSA playoffs.
<strong>5 Prospects to Know</strong>:
Connor Dickson | QB | ’22
Tommy Latka | ATH | ’22
Joshua Sears | OL | ’22
David Freedman | OL | ’22
Samuel Pinsel | DL | ’22
<h4>(9) Grayslake Central Rams | 6A</h4>
2021 Fall Record- 7-2
PF/G 36.4 PA/G 30.1
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: Belvidere North (7-2)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: It’s been a decade since the last time we saw the Grayslake Central Rams in the playoffs. They’re going up against a tough Belvidere North team that held their opponents under 15 points per game this season, which means that [player_tooltip player_id="165469" first="Darryl" last="Overstreet"], who holds virtually every passing record at Grayslake Central has to play his best football to ensure the Rams’ decade long wait to get back in the playoffs isn’t short-lived.
<strong>5 Prospects to Know</strong>:
Daryl Overstreet | QB | ’22
Nick Heerdegen | TE | ’22
Kaiden Miller | ATH | ’22
[player_tooltip player_id="65766" first="Chase" last="James"] | OL | ’22
Matthew Jens | RB | ’24
<h4>(4) Deerfield Warriors | 6A</h4>
2021 Fall Record- 8-1
PF/G 31.1 PA/G 13.1
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: 10/29 vs. Mather (6-3)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: Deerfield’s dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id="65730" first="Luke" last="Jones"] & [player_tooltip player_id="135832" first="Luke" last="Woodson"] is by far one of the most potent 1-2 punches in the area. Woodson rushed for over 1,200 yards with 14 touchdowns and Jones is by far one of the most complete receivers I’ve seen over the past few years. If everything goes accordingly, Deerfield should have no problem punching their ticket to the second round. Also, keep an eye on their impressive kicker Hudson Sherwood; his accuracy is off the charts.
<strong>5 Prospects to Know</strong>:
Hudson Sherwood | K/P | ’22
[player_tooltip player_id="65730" first="Luke" last="Jones"] | WR | '22
[player_tooltip player_id="135832" first="Luke" last="Woodson"] | ATH | '22
[player_tooltip player_id="155029" first="Austin" last="Layette"] | QB | '22
Vincent Sciarrone | ATH | ’23
<h4>(10) Vernon Hills Cougars | 6A</h4>
2021 Fall Record- 7-2
PF/G 34.3 PA/G 12.7
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: Prairie Ridge (7-2)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: Vernon Hills' defense will be put to the test as they go up against a Prairie Ridge offense that averaged 42 points per game on the season. The Cougars must find a way to keep Prairie Ridge’s high-powered offense off the field. Advancing to the second round for the Cougars means they’re going to have to win the time of possession battle, lean on their rushing attack, and play some stout defense, which they are more than capable of doing.
<strong>5 Prospects to Know</strong>:
[player_tooltip player_id="65731" first="Jake" last="Pieper"] | ATH | ’22
Ben Choi | RB | ’22
Alex Gil | DB | ’22
[player_tooltip player_id="20896" first="Erik" last="Rimas"] | TE | ’22
Dylan Smith | OL | ’22
<h4>(6) Lake Forest Scouts | 6A</h4>
Fall 2021 Record- 6-2
PF/G 29.7 PA/G 16
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: Antioch (6-3)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>:
<strong>Prospects to Know</strong>: Leo Scheidler is one of the most impressive prospects in Lake County, and for some reason, the dual-threat isn’t getting the recognition across the state that he deserves. That can all change if he can carry over his impressive regular season play into the playoffs. Running back [player_tooltip player_id="20870" first="Jahari" last="Scott"] will also play a pivotal role in any success Lake Forest has this postseason.
Leo Scheidler | QB | ’22
[player_tooltip player_id="20870" first="Jahari" last="Scott"] | RB | ’22
Brock Uihlein | LB | ’22
[player_tooltip player_id="142584" first="Jade" last="Khater"] | OL | ’22
Watson Allen | OL | ’22
<h4>(15) Lakes Eagles | 6A</h4>
Fall 2021 Record: 5-4
PF/G 24.8 PA/G 18.2
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: Wauconda (9-0)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: Marc Hunter is the heart and soul of this Eagles offense. The senior running back carried the ball for over 1,000 yards this fall and must continue his impressive running to give Lakes a chance at what can potentially be the upset of the year.
<strong>5 Prospects to Know</strong>:
JP Sullivan | OL | ’22
Kurt Kunde | LB | ’22
Marc Hunter | RB | ’22
Tyson Dewey | WR | ’22
John Fruhe | QB | ’22
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<h4>(11) Antioch | 6A</h4>
Fall 2021 Record: 6-3
PF/G 28.6 PA/G 14.3
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: Lake Forest (6-2)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: Run, run, and run some more. Antioch has their work cut out as they go against one of the top 3 teams in all of Lake County in their first-round matchup. They have a slew of running backs they use in their system and I expect them to establish the run early to get their offense going.
<strong>5 Prospects to Know</strong>:
[player_tooltip player_id="167296" first="Aiden" last="Lennon"] | RB | ’23
[player_tooltip player_id="130397" first="Nick" last="Day"] | RB | ’24
Joey Nuemann | TE | ’23
Reino Hill | RB | ’22
Ethan Kolloff | LB | ’23
<h4>(32) Lake Zurich Bears | 7A</h4>
Fall 2021 Record: 5-4
PF/G 23.1 PA/G 16.6
<strong>First Round Matchup</strong>: Batavia (9-0)
<strong>Matchup Key</strong>: It’s going to be an uphill battle for the Bears as they take on a Batavia team with a ton of veteran experience. In games like this, you’re going to need your best players to step up and make plays when they matter most. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id="158005" first="Tyler" last="Burkley"]; he’s the one player on this team who I think poses a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
<strong>Prospects to Know</strong>:
[player_tooltip player_id="158005" first="Tyler" last="Burkley"] | TE | ’23
[player_tooltip player_id="158023" first="Nathan" last="Breeman"] | RB | ’23
Leo Dlatt | WR | ’22
Tyler Erkman | CB | ’23
Jared Meyers | QB | ’22
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