http://football.dailyherald.com/story/?id=239747

Hinsdale Central @ Downers Grove North
Daily Herald Staff Report
Published: 10/3/2008 5:20 PM

Hinsdale Central (4-1, 2-0) at Downers Grove North (3-2, 2-0)

West Suburban Silver

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.

Last year: Hinsdale Central 21, Downers North 6.

Last week: Hinsdale Central 56, Oak Park 28; Downers North 19, Proviso West 7.

Outlook: If Keith Jackson or John Madden called high school games, the annual battle for the Old Oaken Bucket - Hinsdale leads 38-32-3 - would be on their itinerary. The Red Devils would appear to have the upper hand in this 74th meeting with quick-strike artists quarterback John Whitelaw and running back Rich Zajeski, plus cohorts Alex Kirk, Mick Culligan, Eric Alexander and Davis Kalsbeek. But coach Mike DiMatteo knows it's tough to score without the ball. He remembers in 2006 when the Trojans' option offense clicked well enough that Hinsdale could run only 31 plays itself. Downers North is clicking again, a team coach John Wander calls one of his favorites due to overcoming limitations (starting lineman Steve Seitz is 5-8, 173) and running smart option with quarterback-middle linebacker Dan Sheppard. The Trojans pass rarely; Sheppard will keep or handoff to Jermal Jones and Joe Tokarski, a plan that's earned straight wins over York and Proviso West. Can Hinsdale Central nose tackle Pat Clegg blow it all up?

Copyright © 2008 Daily Herald Inc. All rights reserved.