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The second week of the high school football season is in the books, highlighted Friday by big wins for three area programs — Oswego, West Aurora and Kaneland.
Oswego blanked Joliet Catholic 17-0, West Aurora topped Glenbard East 45-20 and Kaneland slipped past Wauconda 16-7.
Here are my three takeaways from a trio that makes up one-third of the nine 2-0 teams in the Aurora-Elgin area football rankings.
Panthers wield heavy metal
Does steel really sharpen steel?
That old adage, believed by many, is based on the premise we grow stronger when we surround ourselves with others who are strong.
Coaches like Oswego’s Brian Cooney, who lead programs with a legacy of success, carry it a step further. They firmly believe good teams get better by playing other good or even better teams, not by rolling over weaker teams.
It’s why Cooney schedules traditionally strong programs when he has an option the first two weeks of the season. This year, he filled those spots with Neuqua Valley — a 30-7 win for the Panthers — and then the Hilltoppers, the Class 5A runner-up last season.
“I was told by an old coach, and firmly believe, we don’t have to win them all,” Cooney said. “You want to get better in those two games. Obviously, with a Week 2 win, we’re exactly where we want to be.”
So is his defense, led by but not limited to a trio of senior linebackers, that has given up one touchdown in two games.
The group features the coach’s son Carson, an Iowa recruit, Easton Ruby and Mikey Claycombe.
Strong defense has been a trademark of teams coached by Cooney, who played the position at Oswego and at Aurora University.
JCA, which ran for 331 yards in the opener, was limited to 148 total yards.
“We had to be disciplined but don’t try to do too much,” said Cooney, who was pleased with the way his defense has performed…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rick-armstrong-3-takeaways-week-155000331.html
Author : Chicago Tribune
Publish date : 2024-09-10 15:50:00
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