Game Day: Lake Forest (6-2, 4-1) at Libertyville (5-3, 3-2)

Lake Forest (6-2, 4-1) at Libertyville (5-3, 3-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21.

Where: Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville.

Last year: Lake Forest won, 55-37.

Last week: Libertyville beat Warren, 38-6.

Last year's records:  finished 7-4, lost in second round of Class 6A state playoffs to Crystal Lake South. Libertyville finished 3-6 and did not make the playoffs.

Key Players:  — Jordan Beck, quarterback; Andrew Clifford, quarterback; Owen Williams, running back; Trent Williams, linebacker; John Marwede, lineman; Nick Keefe, linebacker; Brandt Pfeifer, linebacker; Matt Wagener, linebacker, Jack Kutschke, lineman; Tommy Kutschke, lineman; Cam Douglass, receiver; Luke Bernardi, receiver; Phil Sheridan, secondary; Ben Warren, secondary; Baylor Broughton, kicker. Libertyville — Shaun McCracken, offensive lineman; Nick Carlino, offensive lineman; Matsen Dziedzic, offensive lineman; Brandon Stanfel, offensive lineman; Ryan Martin, offensive lineman; Jack Deichl, quarterback; Max Ebert, receiver; Conor Simpson, running back; Brian Swift, running back; Joey Salata, running back/defensive back; Hutch Herchenbach, running back; Justin Guarnaccio, receiver; and Michael Parker, defensive line.

Quote: "Going to Libertyville, they can create whatever environment they want. We just have to play within ourselves and understand our unit has to play together. Our kids will play hard and not be in awe of the situation." - Lake Forest coach Chuck Spagnoli.

Lake Forest Will Win: Lake Forest needs to set the tempo in a game emotionally charged due to the retirement of Libertyville coach Randy Kuceyeski. That means the defense needs to make life difficult for the Wildcats, using its speed to upset Libertyville's shotgun attack. The offense needs to score first and put Libertyville in the role of chaser. If quarterback Jordan Beck does come back for this game, it's hard to say how the offense will operate with the senior wearing a brace. But the Scouts need to be able to do more than give the ball to Owen Williams. Lake Zurich stacked the line last week and pretty much dared backup quarterback Andrew Clifford to beat them. It worked. If Clifford does start, don't be surprised if Libertyville doesn't try the same tactic. That means Clifford has to connect with his receivers early, establish a rhythm and keep Libertyville honest on defense.

Libertyville Will Win: Libertyville’s defense forced six turnovers in beating Warren last week. With that kind of production, no wonder they had the Blue Devils on their heels for much of the game. Wildcat quarterback Jack Deichl enjoyed his best game of the season against Warren, hitting 15-of-19 passes for 80 yards and 3 TDs including two he ran in himself. The Wildcats also received good production from Conor Simpson, who rushed 23 times for 115 yards against Warren. The defense is where most of the Wildcats experience lies, and they have only allowed one team to score more than 20 points on them this season (Lake Zurich - 31).

Intangibles: Libertyville has all kinds of momentum going into this game between playing for its coach and securing its playoff berth. However, Lake Forest has a chance to at least tie for the North Suburban Conference Lake title, and a win would be a great boost heading into next week's playoff opener let along improve the Scouts' seeding in the bracket.

• See related story: Lake Forest Still Controls Football Destiny, Beck's Elbow Getting Healthier by the Day