Schools

Warriors Ready for Spartans Friday

Deerfield football team opens defense of Central Suburban North Division championship.

An intense level of practice this week for the Deerfield High School football team will be a key ingredient Friday when the Warriors travel to Glenbrook North for their Central Suburban League North Division opener at 7 p.m. today in Northbrook.

After a difficult 14-7 loss Friday to Waukegan, the 1-3 Warriors needed a good week of practice to get ready for the 3-1 Spartans as Deerfield takes its first step toward defense of it league title.

Earlier: Warrior Loss Was a Case of Breaking Bad

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“We came out very well,” Coach Steve Winiecki said of his team’s practice Tuesday. “We had a high level of getting ready to prepare for Glenbrook North. They practiced very well and put (the Waukegan game) behind them.”

Winiecki has a healthy respect for Glenbrook. “Their 22 (running back Grant Rushing) has been all conference since he started as a sophomore,” he said of the Spartan senior. “Their quarterback (A.J. Spitz) does a nice job and their defense created four or five turnovers (against Evanston).” Glenbrook defeated the Wildkits Friday.

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With no school or practice Monday because of the Jewish new year, Winiecki has made no changes to the basic Warrior approach. “This is not the week to make changes,” he said. “We don’t want them thinking about too much and playing slow.”

When it comes to stopping Rushing and Spitz, Winiecki will be relying on the old football adage that the best defense is a good offense and the Warriors option attack is the perfect tool when operating.

“We want to move the ball like we did against Maine South,” Winiecki said. “That will keep the quarterback (Spitz) and running back (Rushing) on the sidelines.”

When the Spartans do have the ball, Winiecki wants to continue what has been working most of the season for Deerfield. he said. “We’ve been getting sacks and tackles for loss.”

Part of the defensive package will be trying to make Glenbrook North a little uncomfortable on offense. “We want to get them out of their game and play our defensive game,” Winiecki said.

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