CN100 Game of the Week football preview: Week 2 - Niles North vs. Niles West

SKOKIE – In a match-up of two teams not generally in the playoff hunt, the annual Skokie Skirmish is usually one of the highlights of the schedules of Niles North and Niles West.
But there is a different air around the two programs going into Saturday’s crosstown battle. This year, both teams have dreams of reaching the postseason. The game can be seen on CN100, The Comcast Network, at Noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9. You also find it with Xfinity On Demand.
Niles West has only eight playoff appearances in school history, two of which came when Scott Baum took over as head coach in 2009. The Wolves got things off to a good start last week with a 41-0 thumping of Ridgewood that was halted late in the first half due to lightning.
Many of the team’s stars got into the action in the abbreviated game, however. Senior quarterback Tommy Galanopoulos figures to be one of the top players in the Central Suburban South, and he didn’t disappoint. He went 9-for-10 passing for 170 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also added 63 rushing yards and another score.
Senior running back Brandon Cosantino made the most of his five carries, going for 77 yards. Jeremy Pignato had both a rushing and receiving score, and senior receiver Quran Spillman scored a touchdown on both of his catches.
The Wolves are looking for their first seven-win season since former NFL running back Rashard Mendenhall suited up for them in 2002. The lone playoff win in school history came way back in 1991. The program’s most sustained success came from 2001-2004 when Mark Egofske led the team to four straight playoff appearances.
Egofske is now at the helm at Niles North across town, going 3-6 in his inaugural campaign last year. He is inheriting a program that has had a losing record in 19 of the past 20 seasons, reaching the playoffs only twice in school history – 1986 and 1992.
The hype around the team coming into the season centered around junior running back Barrington Wade. Unfortunately for Niles North, he is dealing with a toe injury and did not play last week and will be out until week five.
In his stead, the Vikings posted a 49-14 win over Shepard last week. It was a balanced attack led by senior quarterback Tony Granato. He went 15-for-24 for 213 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Sophomore receiver Jordan LaBelle had seven catches for 131 yards, while senior receiver Yomade Adefeso caught two touchdowns.
Junior Craig Dawkins moved from receiver to running back for Wade and thrived, rushing for 278 yards and four touchdowns.
The Vikings are hoping that players like that, and a return from Wade, will put them in contention in the Central Suburban North with an eye a return to the postseason, just like their neighbors from across town.
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

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