One game does not a season make. Or a rivalry, for that matter. Yet you have to believe that Stevenson’s 36-21 victory over McHenry last Sept. 10 will at least be in the back of everyone’s mind when the two hook up again Friday night in McHenry.
The loss was the first in 33 regular-season games for McHenry. And it was the first time host Stevenson had played the Warriors. “There are capabilities that this will be an explosive game,” Stevenson coach Bill Mitz said. “Hopefully, we’ll move the ball well.”
The Patriots (0-1) had little trouble moving the ball against Zion-Benton in their opener. Trouble is, the Zee Bees’ offense moved well, too. Stevenson wound up losing 41-35 on a 50-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds left.
“It was a tough loss,” Mitz said. “We have to improve on things this week. And we’ve got to attack McHenry, just like we did last year.”
Last week, McHenry (1-0) handled Round Lake 36-3. Drew Sherman rushed for 118 yards, Dave Pena 60, Johnny Rodgers 40, Courtney Gotz 40 and quarterback Ryan Bucaro 30.
“The key for us, again, is to have a balanced offense,” McHenry coach Mike Noll said. “We’ve got to throw and run. It’s a non-conference game, but it’s a big game.”
Especially after last year’s game, when McHenry failed to protect a 21-0 second-quarter lead. “We don’t get into revenge,” Noll said. “They’re a team that’s been in the playoffs the last five or six years, and we have to respect them.”
Stevenson must respect 6-foot-8-inch, 295-pound defensive end Jeff Alheit, a three-year starter who can cause offensive backs to shudder.
On offense, Stevenson is led by halfback Kyle Brandt, who gained 177 yards in the opener, and junior fullback Shea Newcombe, who added 117.
“The key for us is to counter their running game,” Noll said. “If they’re able to stick it down our throats like last year, we’re in trouble.
“Stevenson is young, but they have experience. It’s Game 2 and they probably have as much experience as we do.”
Stevenson has 14 juniors and two sophomores starting. Four sophs started last year, so the program can’t be considered in a rebuilding stage.
“We’re making great strides,” Mitz said. “We’re young, but these guys can play.”
So can McHenry, especially with its running attack, quarterback Bucaro and wide receiver Paul Clements, who caught three passes for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week.
Despite what happened in their openers and both teams’ offensive capabilities, Noll says not to expect the same kind of numbers this week.
“I’d say it will be somewhere in between,” he said. “I’d be surprised if it’s like the Stevenson-Zion-Benton game. There were so many big plays in that game. I don’t know if that’s going to happen again. Stevenson was in control against Zion-Benton. They just gave up some big plays on special teams. That will get you every time.”
Said Mitz: “We can’t let our kicking game give up any big plays. Zion had great speed, especially on kickoff returns. They had state-champion sprinter speed there. We can’t make mental mistakes. If we don’t, we’ll be in good shape.”
