Glenbard North has inside look

Tribune Staff Writer

October 13, 2000

Nobody is more qualified to analyze Friday night's battle of Naperville than the coach and players from Glenbard North.

Two weeks ago the Panthers lost to sixth-ranked Naperville North 32-30 after missing a late 32-yard field goal attempt. Last week a two-point conversion attempt with 47 seconds left misfired in Glenbard North's 31-30 loss to No. 1 Naperville Central.

Ask coach Dale Evans, who's going to win this highly anticipated showdown of 7-0 teams that's expected to draw a crowd of 10,000 to North Central College?

"Boy, you're really pinning me down on this one," the Panthers coach said with a laugh. "I've got friends at both schools. But if I had to make a choice, it would be Naperville Central. Their defense is very good, especially those two big, physical linebackers (Ryan Amberson and Drew Kocsis, both 6 feet 2 inches, 225 pounds)."

But Evans had a tip for North's defense.

"If I were North, I'd be more concerned about the run," said Evans, whose Panthers have a critical game Friday night against Glenbard East with the winner maintaining a shot at a playoff berth. "We came into the game thinking we had to shut down Central's great receiver, Kevin Noel. But he only caught one pass. It was their running back, Kyle Griffith, who really hurt us with 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns."

Glenbard North linebacker Steve Szpejnowski had further advice for the Huskies.

"What we did against Naperville Central's quarterback (junior Phil Horvath) seemed to work since we had four sacks and three interceptions," Szpejnowski said. "We put in some special pass coverages and also put a lot of pressure on him with blitzes. We couldn't do that as much against Naperville North's quarterback (Jay McCareins) because he is a lot faster and able to scramble."

In comparing the offenses, Szpejnowski said North has the superior passing game and is more of a quick-hitting attack while Central's running backs tend to read a defense and find a hole to hit.

"Naperville North is Jay McCareins," Evans said. "He threw the ball better than I thought and his speed and elusiveness add an extra dimension to their offense. If I'm Naperville Central, I make sure to keep McCareins from scrambling."

Glenbard North's star running back Brian Mitchell, who has rushed for 1,040 yards and 17 touchdowns, had big games against both Naperville schools. He gained 179 yards and scored three times against North and ran for 134 yards and three TDs against Central.

"Naperville Central has a good defense, and after this past week those guys will be out for blood," Mitchell said about the Panthers snapping the Redhawks' six-game scoreless streak. "When I look at both defenses, I believe Central's is bigger and stronger and their linebackers are a lot tougher."

With Evans forecasting a Naperville Central victory, what about Szpejnowski and Mitchell's predictions?

"I'd have to go with Central," Szpejnowski said. "They have the better defense and their running game will be tough to stop."

Mitchell made it unanimous.

"I think it will be Naperville Central," Mitchell said. "They could end up holding North to two touchdowns. That defense will be out to prove themselves after giving up 30 points to us last week."