Kaneland, Sycamore expecting more points in rematch after defensive battle last season

Kaneland and Sycamore started last season trying to figure out their respective quarterback situations, so when they kicked off Week 1 of the spring season against each other, their offenses weren’t exactly finely honed machines.

It was the low point offensively for both teams in Sycamore’s 12-6 win. This season, both teams enter the game 1-1, and both coaches expect more offensively as they open play in the Kishwaukee River/Interstate Eight White.

“I think both offenses are in a better spot than the spring,” Sycamore coach Joe Ryan said. “It was the first game of the spring after limited practice time. So timing was off. And they (Kaneland) were trying to figure out their quarterback situation, and they certainly found one. Both offenses are better. I hope we can score more points, but I hope they don’t.”

Kaneland ended up going with freshman Troyer Carlson at quarterback, and he’s made a leap in this his sophomore season. He has completed 35 of 52 passes for 469 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

Eli Meier was starting regularly later in the spring for the Spartans, and the now-junior has completed 21 of 27 passes for 465 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

“I anticipate more points this year,” Kaneland coach Pat Ryan said with a chuckle. “I think both teams have effective offensives. I think our passing game is the best it’s been in years, really. Their run game is very good. They run that wing-T and are so efficient at it, and their quarterback is much better than a year ago.”

Both teams also are trying to elevate their run games. Kaneland has an explosive back in Corey Phillps, who has 34 carries for 154 yards, scoring twice.

“Offensively we have to establish the run game, let Corey Phillips get in space so he can do some work,” Pat Ryan said. “He’s so explosive and has that big-play potential. We’ve got to be able to make some lanes for him to run. The strength of their defense is their front three.”

After running for fewer than 150 yards as a team in a 23-16 overtime loss to DeKalb, the Spartans improved their rushing attack at Oak Forest, Joe Ryan said.

“I thought we were more consistent and got more people involved,” Joe Ryan said. “Against DeKalb we really only had one guy (Sam Carlson) really got going. On Friday, we got a bunch going in the run game. When you do that, one, no one is taking a pounding but also, two, it spreads the field from side to side if you’ve got different guys running the ball.”

Phillips, Sam Gagne and Aric Johnson have combined for 28 receptions this year, with Gagne and Johnson cracking the 100-yard mark against Andrew, a 27-23 win for the Knights, but neither getting there in a 31-20 loss to Geneva last week.

“Their offense spreads the field so well,” Joe Ryan said. “Their skill kids are so good, and the quarterback hits them. Then you have Phillips who is so fast. We’ve got to keep him contained, and that’s easier said than done.”

Kaneland gave up 194 rushing yards to Carter Powelson in the loss to Geneva and 108 to Andrew’s Tre Alexander.

Pat Ryan said the Knights’ defense against the run will have to improve.

“I think their offense, running that wing-T, is very efficient,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to stop the run. We have not done a real good job of that in the first two games. We have to do a better job, that and tackle better. While there was improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, there’s still room for growth.”