Lemont hopes to slow down Crete-Monee
By Pat Disabato pdisabato@southtownstar.com November 12, 2012 10:36PM
Lemont football coach Eric Michaelsen. | File photo
State football semifinals (All games Saturday)
CLASS 8A
No. 4 Glenbard North (11-1)
at No. 2 Loyola (11-1), 1 p.m.
No. 3 Mount Carmel (11-1)
at No. 1 Neuqua Valley (12-0), 6 p.m.
CLASS 7A
No. 6 Lake Zurich (10-2)
at No. 1 Glenbard West (12-0), 1 p.m.
No. 1 Lincoln-Way East (12-0)
at No. 2 Benet (11-1), 6 p.m.
CLASS 6A
No. 1 Cary-Grove (12-0)
at No. 10 Lake Forest (9-3), 4 p.m.
No. 1 Crete-Monee (12-0)
at No. 3 Lemont (11-1), 6 p.m.
CLASS 5A
No. 3 Montini (10-2)
at No. 12 Joliet Catholic (8-4), 1 p.m.
No. 3 Sacred Heart-Griffin (11-1)
at No. 2 Morris (11-1), 3 p.m.
CLASS 4A
No. 1 Rock Island Alleman (11-1)
at No. 7 Evergreen Park (9-3), 6 p.m.
No. 1 Harrisburg (11-1)
at No. 2 Rochester (11-1), 3 p.m.
CLASS 3A
No. 4 Aurora Christian (11-1) at No. 2 Newman Central Catholic (12-0), 2 p.m.
No. 1 Greenville (11-1)
at No. 2 Tolono Unity (11-1), 1 p.m.
Updated: December 14, 2012 6:16AM
Lemont had a history with its first three Class 6A playoff foes: Morgan Park, a 45-0 first-round win; Richards, a 23-19 second-round win; and Oak Forest, a 21-14 quarterfinal victory.
The Indians played each team multiple times through the years.
Saturday’s semifinal opponent, Crete-Monee, is a different story.
To the best of Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen’s knowledge, the two teams never have met. He hopes that works in the Indians’ favor.
“It will make practice more interesting this week,” said Michaelsen, a 1981 Lemont graduate. “Not having played them before, I’m sure the kids will be more focused.”
If the lack of familiarity doesn’t do the trick, a glimpse of the undefeated Warriors (12-0) on tape should.
Crete-Monee has outscored opponents 481-101, relying heavily on an explosive aerial attack. It’s worth noting in many instances those numbers were achieved with the Warriors starters on the bench.
“They’re incredibly talented,” Michaelsen said. “They have a quarterback (Marcus Terrell) who makes good decisions, they have tremendous speed and their linemen are big and do a nice job with their scheme.
“And their defense is really, really good. They get after it.”
So does Lemont’s defense, which has allowed just 99 points on the season.
Michaelsen and his staff will devise a game plan they hope at least slows down the Warriors offense, which is led by Terrell and receivers Laquon Treadwell and Lance Lenoir.
“ ‘Slowing down’ is probably the right term because you can’t stop them,” Michaelsen said. “We hope to contain them and not give up the big play.”
The two teams have one common opponent, T.F. South. Crete-Monee beat the Rebels 38-7 in Week 1. Lemont suffered its only loss of the season at the hands of the Rebels, 21-20, at home in Week 6.
