The second week of the high school football season is in the books, highlighted Friday by big wins for three area programs — Oswego, West Aurora and Kaneland.
Oswego blanked Joliet Catholic 17-0, West Aurora topped Glenbard East 45-20 and Kaneland slipped past Wauconda 16-7.
Here are my three takeaways from a trio that makes up one-third of the nine 2-0 teams in the Aurora-Elgin area football rankings.
Panthers wield heavy metal
Does steel really sharpen steel?
That old adage, believed by many, is based on the premise we grow stronger when we surround ourselves with others who are strong.
Coaches like Oswego’s Brian Cooney, who lead programs with a legacy of success, carry it a step further. They firmly believe good teams get better by playing other good or even better teams, not by rolling over weaker teams.
It’s why Cooney schedules traditionally strong programs when he has an option the first two weeks of the season. This year, he filled those spots with Neuqua Valley — a 30-7 win for the Panthers — and then the Hilltoppers, the Class 5A runner-up last season.
“I was told by an old coach, and firmly believe, we don’t have to win them all,” Cooney said. “You want to get better in those two games. Obviously, with a Week 2 win, we’re exactly where we want to be.”
So is his defense, led by but not limited to a trio of senior linebackers, that has given up one touchdown in two games.
The group features the coach’s son Carson, an Iowa recruit, Easton Ruby and Mikey Claycombe.
Strong defense has been a trademark of teams coached by Cooney, who played the position at Oswego and at Aurora University.
JCA, which ran for 331 yards in the opener, was limited to 148 total yards.
“We had to be disciplined but don’t try to do too much,” said Cooney, who was pleased with the way his defense has performed against two very different offenses.
He credited the plan against JCA’s ground game to strength and linebackers assistant coach John Hugunin, who also played linebacker at Oswego and is the career tackles leader at Drake.
“John is my right-hand man on defense and really helps develop our plans,” Cooney said. “He is phenomenal.”
And Hugunin’s dad, Jim, is Joliet Catholic graduate who played — you guessed it — linebacker for the Hilltoppers.
Are they tough enough?
Time will tell.
One of the drawing cards for a return to the Upstate Eight Conference for West Aurora coach Nate Eimer was the chance to play Glenbard East, even if the teams are in different divisions.
Eimer and Rams coach John Walters are both in their 14th year leading their respective programs and became friendly rivals when the Blackhawks were previously in the conference.
Glenbard East, a Class 8A quarterfinalist last season, is one of the conference’s stronger programs and would be a good crossover opponent every year..
Plenty of skeptics, this one included, still worry whether West Aurora’s strength of schedule will prepare them for a playoff run. After the Rams, South Elgin and Bartlett, there seems to be a significant drop.
Eimer has the most players he’s had in his tenure with 83, however, and returns 24 with considerable varsity experience. There’s also depth in the skill players.
Senior receiver Kewon Marshall led with four catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns Friday. Senior running back Azuriah Sylvester ran for 100-plus yards and two TDs on a slow night for senior receiver Terrence Smith, the Iowa recruit who had two catches for 10 yards.
Kaneland coach Mike Thorgesen reacts during a 7-on-7 at Kaneland on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Rick Armstrong / The Beacon-News)
Knights’ newcomers can play
With six playoff opponents who combined for a 56-13 record last season, Kaneland coach Mike Thorgesen may have the area’s toughest schedule.
The Knights got off to a good start with a 20-14 win over Washington in the opener.
Senior quarterback Chase Kruckenberg, in his first year as a starter, has done well following graduated four-year starter Troyer Carlson.
“He’s composed and has been super efficient,” Thorgesen said.
Junior running back/safety Carter Grabowski is one of many bright spots among the first-year starters. He led the team in rushing with 130 yards and in tackles with 11 against Wauconda.
A stretch of Morris, Sycamore and Rochelle begins in two weeks.
