Next Opponent Scouting Report:

Evanston Township High School

 

August 27, 2006

 

Lane Tech plays the Evanston Township High School Wildkits on September 1, 2006 at Lane stadium. It will be the 2nd game of the season and the 2nd game at Lane stadium with permanent lights. The following is a quick information session and scouting report on Evanston Township High School (ETHS)

 

Central Suburban League

 

Evanston is one of 12 schools making up the Central Suburban League (CSL) Conference consisting of schools in Chicago’s north suburbs. There are two divisions in the CSL, the North and South. The divisions are determined by school enrollment, where the larger schools are in the North division and the smaller schools in the South division. Currently Evanston is in the CSL North, along with New Trier, Maine South, Waukegan, Niles West, and Glenbrook South.

           

Evanston Football

 

Traditionally, Evanston has a strong football program. From 1958-1975, under Coach Murney Lazier, Evanston compiled and incredible 117-16-4 record. Then between 1982 and 1999, Evanston qualified for the IHSA state playoffs 14 times. Most of those teams were led by Coach John Riehle. In the 2000 season, current coach Tony Johnson took over the reign. His first season Evanston started 1-8 and has had a rough time since then including 3-6 records the last two seasons. For more on Evanston’s sports record history see the ETHS web page on the IHSA website.

 

Current Team

 

Maine South has been the dominant football power in CSL over the last several years and has been the state runner up in class 8A football for the past 3 seasons. This year’s Evanston squad is looking to put a dent in the Maine South monopoly. Much of the optimism is due to the incredible wealth of college prospects on this year’s team. This group includes TE/DB Nickcaro Golding (6’1”, 210lb), RB/DB Michael Bolden (6’1”- 180lb), LB/RB Kendall Farlow (5’11” 200lb), and OL/LB Alfa Kaba (6’0” 205lb).

 

Michael Bolden is the superstar on this team. Bolden is an incredible athlete and playmaker both on the offense and defensive side of the ball. Coach Johnson plays Bolden primarily as a running back but he often position Bolden as a receiver. Look for Bolden to be involved in most ETHS offensive plays. Bolden has the strength to run inside and the speed to run outside as well. He is also dangerous as a receiver. Look for ETHS quarterback Ryan Roveda to throw deep to Bolden a couple times in the game. Bolden has that Randy Moss type ability to leap in the air and grasp passes over the arms of defensive backs.

 

Defensively, ETHS is very strong. Their 4 stars Michael Bolden, Nickaro Golding, Kendall Farlow, and Alfa Kaba all play on the defense. So Evanston’s strength this year will be its defense.

 

ETHS lineman are big and strong. Some of their lineman include: Dan Farr (6’4”280lb), Charlie Sagan (6’4”, 280lb), Joe Wilson (6’1” 270lb) and Nicu Voicu (5’8” 230 lbs).

 

Match up vs. Lane Tech

 

Lane Tech will have their hands full versus this tough Evanston team. The key for Lane will be to contain Michael Bolden. Bolden will probably have the ball in his hands in 60-70 percent of the offensive plays. If Lane can somehow control Bolden they may have a chance. ETHS does not have much of a kicking game and will go for it on 4th down if they have the ball in field goal range. Offensively, Lane will have to rely on it’s running game. Running back William Moorhead will find himself swarmed by ETHS all night but if he can sneak through with a few big plays, it may be enough to give Lane a chance to score. Also key for Lane will be quarterback Steve Pienkos. He has to limit the number of sacks he gives up.

            Lane’s only chance in this game is to limit the big plays of Bolden, come up with a few big plays of their own from Moorehead, receiver Fuad Salami, or someone else, and hope their defense can slow down ETHS enough so they will have to give it up on 4th down.

 

Prediction

 

Evanston 28 Lane 6