Third-seeded Addison Trail (8-1) will play host to 14th-seeded Lake Zurich (5-4) at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. Here’s what you should look forward to this weekend:
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Lake Zurich
Ben Klett, running back, jr. — Klett ran for 240 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 56, 49 and 28 yards in the Bears’ playoff-clinching victory over Vernon Hills on Friday. “He is only as good as his supporting cast and the scout team that gives him the looks in practice,” coach David Proffitt said in crediting the rest of the offense.
Bears defense and intangibles — The defense made the plays to keep the team in the games it needed to win, according to Proffitt. “They will run to the ball and not ever give up whether the ball is 30 yards downfield or two yards away,” he said. The Bears have tradition on their side as well. Since 2006, they have gone to the postseason each year, winning the state title once, finishing second three times and reaching the semifinals the rest of the time, according to the school website.
Addison Trail
Ryan Zygowicz, quarterback, jr. — Zygowicz took over for starter Mike Rybarczyk two weeks ago after the senior was lost for the year with a broken ankle. His first start was the regular-season finale, and Zygowicz threw a touchdown pass in a 27-17 victory over Willowbrook. He has an able group of receivers, according to Proffitt. A three-year starter, Rybarczyk was hurt in the Blazers’ only loss this season. That was a 33-15 defeat to Glenbard West, which is seeded second in the Class 8A playoffs.
Mike Hundley, running back, jr. — Injured earlier in the season and out four weeks, Hundley picked up the slack against Willowbrook with 293 yards, including a 94-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
When Addison Trail has third down…
Proffitt considers third-down stops critical to defeating what he calls a very strong Addison Trail team. He would prefer those situations be third-and-long. In the fourth quarter against Vernon Hills, the Bears kept the Cougars out of the end zone while scoring 20 points.
When Lake Zurich is on offense…
How many times will Klett and his blockers set up a second-and-short? “We want to get a power play on first down,” Proffitt said. Lake Zurich did it once in the first half against Vernon Hills and trailed 9-3 at intermission. In the second half, the Bears did it on all but one possession and scored three touchdowns, two on the first snaps of the drives.
When Lake Zurich kicks the ball…
When the offense fails to score or Bears kick off, how deep will the special teams push Addison Trail? “Our kicking game needs to be able to put [the Blazers] in a negative field position when necessary,” Proffitt said.
