Swami was 12-5 in the first week of high school football selections. Whadup wth 12-5? Seems a little thin, even to the Swami who will take a win anywhere, anytime. Must shake up the crystal ball for a clearer peek into the netherworld. So what's in store for the second week? Read on, little grasshoppah, and Swami shall reveal all.
On Friday
Chicago Simeon 24, North Chicago 12 – After beating Brooks Academy 46-0, Warhawks move way, way up in class. After losing last week 41-6 to state’s best team, St. Rita of Chicago, Chicago Simeon moves way, way down in class.
Carmel 20, Libertyville 14 – This is the second week in a row of picking against fb coaching guru Randy Kuceyeski at Libertyville. If wrong again, it will be the last time Swami pick against him.
Stevenson 17, Glenbrook South 14 – After failing to score against state-power Loyola Academy, things will be different this week for Patriots.
Grant 28, Grayslake Central 0 – Pavel Zurkowski is a 6-3, 215-pound QB and he ran in the winning TD in last week’s stunning win over Johnsburg. There are a couple of wins on the Grayslake Central schedule, but this spot isn’t one of them. Swami hopes it's no blowout
Highland Park 10, Vernon Hills 7 – Vernon Hills rushed for more than 400 yards in win over Niles West and Highland Park has best QB in area in Johnny “Rocket” Lindquist. Contrasting styles. Even game. Swa mi could have picked in the other direction with very little energy plasma from the great beyond.
Lake Zurich 50, East Aurora 0 – East Aurora is a basketball school. We're positive about the score. Sort of.
Round Lake 21, Maine East 7 – Likable coach Doug Moss will get his team back to the .500 mark Friday night. After that come three very tough games. Enjoy the good times while you can.
Niles West 13, Zion-Benton 6 – Two teams coming off 20-plus point thumpings on opening night. Long season for Z-B.
Wauconda 40, Marengo 0 – RB Brad “The Wiz” Wizniewski had 139 yards rushing in Game 1 and could double that in this one. Huge game at North Chicago is looming for Wauconda.
Lakes 21, Crystal Lake Central 13 – It’s hard to think of a miraculous one-point win over a school (Grayslake North) with ZERO varsity wins ever as a confidence-builder, but the Eagles should be brimming with it when they hit the road for this game against a second-tier team in the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division.
Saturday
Mundelein 20, Waukegan 8 – Waukegan has not beaten a team that finished its season above .500 in more than six years. Make of that what you will. Mundelein is going to finish above .500 this year. You do the math.
Maine South 30, Warren 14 – Maine South seems to be good every year, and this year is no exception.
Lake Forest 20, Deerfield 7 – Final game for Scouts at Lindenmeyer Field. It should be emotional, parking should be a mess with the high school under construction, and the home crowd should go home happy.
North Shore Country Day 14, Lake Forest Academy 6 – North Shore Academy has a game – and a win – under its belt. This is the season opener for the Caxys, which is a Latin term for a mythical frog. Ribbit!
Upset special – Grayslake North 20, Antioch 14 – This is the second year for Grayslake North High and the football program is 0-10. Last week’s last-second giveaway 28-27 to Lakes could serve as a crushing defeat or a motivation to do ever better this time around. Antioch was winless last year and is trying to win the Grayslake City Championship as it beat Grayslake Central last week.
I believe Swami is going to be very wrong about those Zee-Bees!
SWAMI SEZ: Oh, Tanya, we admire your spirit. But we fear the worst. We hope to be wrong.