Schools
Team of the Week: Libertyville High School Football
Annual meeting of Libertyville and Warren turns into a major rout.
Just maybe the Wildcats football team was favored to beat visiting Warren last Friday night. If the Blue Devils had sprung an upset, few folks would have been surprised.
What really happened was a total hammering of the visitors. How else to explain Libertyville scoring 38 straight points on the way to a stunning 38-6 romp.
“It was one of the biggest wins that we have had in the last couple of years,” said . “And it secured a spot in the state playoffs for the first time since 2008.”
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OK, let’s be honest. Warren won’t be going to playoffs this season. But in a two-week span in late September, the Blue Devils outscored two foes by a combined score of 107-26.
Of course turnovers played a role in rolling up 38 points. The Libertyville defense forced four turnovers, including two interceptions by Joe Salata. Special teams stepped up scooping up a pair of fumbles.
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“Our defense kept their spread attack under control all night,” Kuceyeski said.
He also complimented the pass rushing of Mike Parker.
On offense, sophomore Connor Simpson stepped up to carry 23 times for 115 yards. Quarterback Jack Diechl was efficient all night, completing 15 of 19 passes for 77 yards.
Also scoring points on this night were quarterback Diechl (2 TDs), running back Simpson (2 TDs), receiver Max Ebert and kicker Austin Williams.
Friday Night: So what does the win over Warren really mean? Does that fifth win really clinch a playoff spot for the Wildcats?
After all, a talented Lake Forest squad (6-2) visits Friday night and would love to take seven wins to the playoffs.
The Illinois High School Association does allow some 5-4 teams into the playoffs depending on their strength of schedule. Heading into Friday’s game, the Wildcats had compiled 43 points. That’s tied for the most points for any team in Class 7A. So those nightly battles with Stevenson (6-2), Antioch (7-1), Lake Zurich (6-2) and Urban Prep (7-1) have proven valuable. Libertyville seems to have a lock on a playoff berth based on its tough schedule.
The down side of going into the playoffs with a 5-4 record is that the IHSA will no doubt reward that team with either an undefeated squad or a team with just one loss.
