Game Day: North Chicago (1-3) at Lake Forest (3-1)

North Chicago (1-3) at Lake Forest (3-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23.

Where: Lake Forest High School, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest.

Last year: Did not play each other.

Last week: North Chicago beat Round Lake, 20-14.

Last year's records:  finished 7-4, lost in second round of Class 6A state playoffs to Crystal Lake South; North Chicago finished 1-8.

Key Players:  — Jordan Beck, quarterback; Bo Dever, receiver; Owen Williams, running back; Trent Williams, linebacker; John Marwede, lineman; Dominick Keefe, linebacker; Brandt Pfeifer, linebacker; Matt Wagener, linebacker, Jack Kutschke, lineman; Cam Dougless, receiver; Luke Brnardi, receiver. North Chicago — Arnold Shead, quarterback; Nigel Williams, receiver; Maurice Childs, running back.

Will Win: If they come with the same defenisve intensity which marked last week's win at Zion-Benton. After a lackluster first half, coach Chuck Spagnoli lit a fire under his defense and they responded with more gang-tackling and leaving a presence on the field. Offensively, the Scouts diversified their passing attack, getting Luke Bernardi involved for 2 TDs and finding Cam Douglass. This will help free up Bo Dever, who is their best receiver over the middle. Owen Williams continues to be the featured back, and maybe that's enough for now.

Zion-Benton Will Win: North Chicago was about to be 0-4 when they scored a TD in the final 25 seconds to beat Round Lake last week. The reason? Quarterback Arnold Shead. He may be the best running quarterback the Scouts face all season. He rushed 26 times for 196 yards in the win over Round Lake, and was 5 of 11 passing for 84 yards and 2 TDs. If he's allow to roam, that's trouble because that means he's finding extra trime to find his receivers. The Warhawks have struggled in football at a school better known for its basketball prowess. But Shead gives them someone to build around as a sophomore.

Intangibles: Homecoming is often a mixed blessing. The school does the right thing in conducting many of the Homecoming activities the night before the game, so there are less distractions for the players on game night. , which should provide a great show and a little impetus for both teams to perform at a higher level. Lake Forest needs a win here as a springboard for its final four games against the North Suburban Conference's better teams - Libertyville, Warren, Lake Zurich and Stevenson.