Crystal Lake Central will host Johnsburg High School Friday night in their first home game since Sept. 3. A win in this game will further the playoff beliefs for the Tigers.
"We believe that Crystal Lake Central is a playoff team," said CLC head coach Matt Fralick.
The Tigers are coming off an impressive 21-17 road win against Grayslake Central. With that win, CLC is now on a three-game winning streak, all on the road. CLC has four road wins this season.
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Carrying the load for this red-hot team is junior running back Gage Harrah. Harrah has rushed for 889 yards on 115 carries and has scored 11 touchdowns. He will definitely be someone Johnsburg will key on, but he shouldn't be the only one.
Ever so quietly, senior running back Dyllon McKinney is having a fantastic season. McKinney has rushed for 482 yards for a whopping 10.2 per carry average and six touchdowns.
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It is well-documented on how Central can grind out a game or get big plays from its rushing attack on offense, but Fralick still sees room for improvement.
"We really do need a passing game," said Fralick said.
Senior quarterback Brett Schuld has thrown for only 241 yards on 12 completions with one touchdown that came late in the game against Grayslake North. Schuld's counterpart for this game, George Bielis, has thrown for 1116 yards and eight touchdowns, but has also thrown eight interceptions.
Fralick could open up the passing game this week against Johnsburg. With the two-headed monster that is Harrah and McKinney, play-action passes could be big plays for Schuld.
Who: CLC vs. JHS
Where: Owen Metcalf Field
When: Friday, October 8 at 7:15 PM
