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Preview story: Stevenson seeks to stall Lake Zurich's league title bid

By Bill McLean, 10/08/24, 9:45AM CDT

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Bears-Patriots conjures up scads of memories, especially for old-timers.

Chicago’s Bears — featuring Walter Payton, Richard Dent and coach Mike Ditka among many others — crushed New England 46-10 in Super Bowl XX in 1986.

Lake Zurich even has an alumnus on the Monsters of the Midway -- linebacker Jack Sanborn.

The northwest suburban Bears host Stevenson’s Patriots at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in a North Suburban Conference futbol matchup. It’s the battle of Route 22, or Route XXII, and the home side will be guided by another coach Mike.

“We are excited for the game and looking forward to putting forth our best effort of the season,” Bears coach Mike Schmitz said. “It’s always a competitive game. 

“Stevenson,” he added, “is always tough and always deep. There never seems to be a drop-off or a bad year.”

Lake Zurich is 8-2-6 overall and 3-0-3 in the NSC, two points behind conference leader Lake Forest (4-0-2).

Stevenson, which was formerly ranked, enters with marks of 7-4-5 and 3-1-2 and is tied with Libertyville for third place.

“Lake Zurich is always a tough matchup and has some great results,” Patriots coach PepeJon Chavez said. “This match could create some chaos at the top of the NSC if Mundelein can (top) Lake Forest.

“I know Lake Zurich is always ready to play us and is always a powerful team.”

Junior forward Devin Hunt paces the Bears in scoring with six goals. Senior forward James Eck has five goals and four assists, and senior midfielder Caden Wits has provided a trio of goals to go with a team-high five assists.

Midfielder/forward and perpetual threat Jack Bacher (16 goals, four assists) ignites Stevenson.

“We are moving all players back to health other than (senior midfielder) Jadon Brickman (fractured tibia and fibula),” Chavez noted. “We are looking good heading to the playoffs.

“Lake Zurich will push and press, and we’ll adapt and overcome. Lake Zurich is organized, keeps shape well and works relentlessly. It will be a good match with some great players.”

High on Schmitz’s wish list is consistency in scoring goals.

“We are playing well,” he said. “We play consistently tough defense and have learned to grind out 80 minutes. We generate good offensive opportunities.”

Footnotes

Both teams are ranked as honorable mention squads in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. ... Stevenson defeated Lake Zurich 3-0 in last year’s meeting. “It was a good win that could have gone either way for a bit,” Chavez said. … Schmitz, on senior center back Brandon Taboada: “Quietly does everything right. He cleans up everything in the back and makes it look easy.” … Chavez, on senior wing/forward Hanglen Chang: “His work-rate and silent leadership have helped us find great balance. He’s a solid player with great balance (attacking or defending). … Chavez, on junior defender Cole Dirks: “He has brought his voice and power. He’s fought through a tough ankle injury all season and has a work-rate that we need.” … Chang and Dirks were members of the Patriots’ Class 3A third place team (22-1-3) in 2022. ... Lake Zurich and Stevenson landed no. 5 and no. 7 seeds respectively in the Class 3A Stevenson Sectional.