Game Preview: Downers Grove North vs. Downers Grove South

Kyle Schuck

September 7, 2022 @ 05:30 PM

Three weeks into the season, we have an inter-city collision between Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South. However, this clash of rivals sees two teams coming in on opposite sides of the spectrum who share a common goal of winning bragging rights in the city of Downers Grove. Check out my analysis below of whom I think the keys to the game are for both teams.   The Mustangs of Downers Grove South (DGS) will come into this game looking to notch their first win of the season, albeit against their cross-town rivals. The Mustangs are coming off two disappointing losses where their offense could only put up 7 points in each contest. I look for their offense to make a rebound as they will be packed with emotions coming into this game and looking to prove that they can play with the best of them and deserve respect in their city. DGS is led by their 6'4" pro-style quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='157699' first='Ryan' last='Dawson']. Dawson stands tall in the pocket and can stretch the ball down the field to his receivers. Dawson is not the only athlete with some size to him on the offensive side of the ball for the mustangs as Ryan has two targets stretching the field for him that he can throw the ball up too easily; one being 6'4" TE, [player_tooltip player_id='157995' first='Mack' last='O'Halloran'], and the other being 6'5" Indiana State Commit, WR [player_tooltip player_id='267885' first='Brandon' last='Amaniampong']. I would say it's safe to say these two players are frequently circled in the opposing team's film sessions. In addition to their tall skilled positions on the offensive side of the ball, the Mustangs have a large offensive line that I look to play dominant in the upcoming contest; a line anchored by 6'6" tackle Joshua Manecke and 6'1" 300 LB C, [player_tooltip player_id='225870' first='Vincent' last='Esposito']. I feel that these two young men are fully capable of driving defensive linemen into another state. The mustangs of Downers Grove South have the offensive weapons necessary to make this a competitive match, and I believe they will put it together to make this a great game coming up.   On the defensive side of the ball, the Mustangs have shown to be susceptible in the run-stopping defense, letting up 459 total rushing yards in two games this season. Coming into this contest, I look for the Mustang defense to have worked on their run-stopping all week and to begin this game with a new game plan around stopping the rush of Downers Grove North. The Mustang's defensive line incorporates the skill of the aforementioned big man, [player_tooltip player_id='157995' first='Mack' last='O'Halloran']. Sophomore defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='299531' first='Coen' last='Godenschwager'] is someone I look to grow into a dominant defensive back for the Mustangs. Overall, it is a proving game for the Mustang defense, and I am curious to see how they respond to the challenge of the Downers Grove North offense.   On the other side of the field will be the Trojans of Downers Grove North, a team looking to get their record clean of losses as they come into this contest following two dominant wins. The Trojans are coming in almost the opposite place as DGS, starting with their offense which scored 30 points or more in both of their games this year. Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='252515' first='Sam' last='Reichert'] leads the Trojan offense, a 6'3" gunslinger who is s a pro-style quarterback with a phenomenal pocket presence and an acute ability to get the ball downfield. In addition to the good passing play, the Trojan offense has a stout running back in 5'11" junior [player_tooltip player_id='252513' first='Noah' last='Battle']. Battle is coming off of two dominant showings and will be a lot for a Mustangs defense that has struggled against the run so far this year. I look for Battle and the Trojan offense to continue their dominance and show out in the third week of the season.   The dominance continues on the defensive side of the ball for the Downers Grove North as the Trojan defense has only let up 13 points all year. The Trojans will be faced with a challenging task this week: competing against a sizable front and skilled position core for Downers Grove South. However, the linebacking core will be an equally formidable opponent and aggressive front headed by senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='237522' first='Josh' last='Lambert']. Josh is a 6'3" linebacker with many skills that will see him succeed at the next level. Alongside Josh is hard-hitting versatile junior [player_tooltip player_id='326053' first='Cael' last='Brezina'], a 6'3" linebacker who is not afraid to put his hand in the dirt and get reps on the defensive line. This impressive defense anchored by their linebacking core will be a formidable front for the Downers Grove South offense to get past this coming Friday.   Overall, those of us who will be in attendance this Friday in Downers Grove are in for a treat as we watch the battle between the Trojans and Mustangs. I look forward to seeing who will come out on top.

Three weeks into the season, we have an inter-city collision between Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South. However, this clash of rivals sees two teams coming in on opposite sides of the spectrum who share a common goal of winning bragging rights in the city of Downers Grove. Check out my analysis below of whom I think the keys to the game are for both teams.