Fenton's Aerial Attack Highlights 6A State Playoff Matchup; Beck May Play Friday

In November 2001, one of the most memorable State playoff games in Illinois was played.

Joliet Catholic beat Riverside-Brookfield, 56-51, in a Class 5A quarterfinal game. The two teams combined for more than 1,000 yards in total offense. Riverside-Brookfield quarterback Tim Brasic, who went on to start at Illinois, threw for 571 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Brasic's offensive coordinator and head coach in that game was Otto Zeman. His unconventional five-receiver sets earned him the nickname "Air Otto".

Why is this relevant to football team?

Today, Zeman is the offensive coordinator for Fenton High School, the Scouts' opening round opponent in the Class 6A playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Varsity Field.

Zeman was hired this season by Mark Kos, in his second season as Bison head coach. Fenton finished 7-2 overall this season, 2-2 in the Metro Suburban Conference. Their offense under Zeman -- still featuring many of the same five receiver sets -- has averaged 24 points per game, which is formidable but by no means daunting.

The Scouts have seen spread attacks this year against Buffalo Grove and Warren, but nothing as multi-faceted as Fenton's. 

"It's definitely a strange offense," said Scouts senior linebacker Brandt Pfeifer, third on the team in tackles this season with 43. 

Consider this. Standing on Varsity Field after practice Tuesday, Pfeifer and the team's second-leading tackler, Nick Keefe, couldn't even agree on how to explain the Bison offense.

"It's two lineman and a y," said Pfeifer.

"No, its a center and two guards. With the quarterback behind the center," said Keefe. 

Keefe's description is more accurate, although Pfeifer is right about this: from what the Scouts have seen on film, 30 percent of Fenton's offensive snaps feature two offensive lineman flanked out wide, where you might normally see a slot receiver or tight end. Its bizarre, random and for the Bison, highly effective. 

Sitting in his office with four other coaches after practice, Lake Forest's defensive coordinator and head coach, Chuck Spagnoli, was more pragmatic about how to defend such an unusual offense.

"We have to practice what we do maybe a little different," said Spagnoli. "We're in a situation where we need to stay true to what we do."

It's hard to argue with that logic when you look at the numbers: Lake Forest is allowing just 12.7 points per game this season. Teams are throwing for an average of 130 yards. With the 2011 version of Air Otto coming to Lake Forest Friday night, the stats favor the Scouts. 

"Their whole system is based off trick plays and trying to beat you with confusion," said Keefe, who leads the team with five sacks. "It's not special as long as you play fast and hard and run to the ball." 

Beck: Playing Status a Game-Time Decision

Wearing a brace over his sore left elbow, starting quarterback Jordan Beck took starter's snaps for the first time since the week leading up to his injury. Beck ruptured ligaments in his elbow .

Although the official decision will not come until Friday, Beck and Spagnoli are more .

"I'm just getting my intensity back up and preparing mentally very hard. I think I'm going to play," said Beck.

Said Spagnoli: "The doctor said it's a three-week injury. We're planning on it (him playing). We'll know Friday."

If Beck can't go, Andrew Clifford will get his third straight start. 

Hat Trick For Williams

It was halftime of the Libertyville game. The Scouts were anemic on offense, . Before the coaches spoke to the team about second half adjustments, Owen Williams, Luke Bernardi and Beck gathered the offense together.

They had something urgent to say.

"We just circled everyone up and said 'that was unacceptable,'" said Williams, who had 11 carries for just 27 yards in the first half. "(We said) 'We have to go out and play with intensity and wack.'"

Considering the rushing line on Williams' first three second-half carries -- 3 attempts, 160 yards -- it's safe to say the message was heard.

Williams' first touchdown was the best, shades of Larry Csonka (cue up the NFL Films highlight reel). The 220-pound bruiser used Wildcat defenders as battering rams, breaking three tackles the first 10 yards before hitting the second level and sprinting into the end zone. The touchdown play (called 37 chase fly in the huddle) represented more than points. It jolted the Scouts from their listless state, injecting them with a reservoir of confidence, . 

"I saw a crease and ran through it," said Williams, who finished with 231 yards on 19 carries. "I put my head down, bounced off a bunch of guys and kept my legs going."

The effort pushed Williams past the 1,000-yard mark for the season and raised his TD total to 16. He has 1,090 yards on 141 carries for a 7.7 yard per carry average. As a receiver, he has caught 16 passes for 164 yards and 2 TDs.

Next Step

All season, the Scouts have hovered on the fringe of various polls. This week, they did get crack ESPN's postseason Class 6A Top Ten.

While they haven't publically played the familiar (and boring) "respect" card, players and coaches head into the playoffs with a noticeable chip on their shoulders. 

"Our best moment has not yet come this season," said Williams. "We want to compete in the playoffs and show people what Lake Forest football is all about."

Said Spagnoli: "We still have a lot of work ahead of us. We lay an egg (Friday) and all of this is for naught. Then it's back to 'I told you so,' which a lot of people would like to say to our kids now."