Sycamore 37, Kaneland 7
This is unfamiliar territory for the Kaneland Knights.
A program that has grown accustomed to state titles, state playoffs and conference championships now finds itself struggling for an identity at the bottom of the Western Sun Conference.
The Knights were looking to dislodge themselves from the conference cellar Friday night, where the host Sycamore Spartans also were residing heading into Week 4 of the season.
But the Spartans dominated the Knights 37-7 behind quarterback Nick Anderson, who ran for three scores, and the sticky fingers of Josh Howell, who pulled in 2 touchdown passes and gained 194 yards with 5 receptions.
Kaneland (0-2, 1-3) played without injured wide receivers Alex Blazek and Korey Maple and never could get an offense sustained after quarterback Jody Henningson's 5-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter tied the score at 7-7. It would be the last time the Knights saw the end zone.
"They got some guys back (from the injured list) and we lost some guys, but we're not making excuses," Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly said. "We're going to come back and work as hard as we can and improve every week.
"I was looking out there at one time tonight and we had maybe seven or eight sophomores playing on defense at the same time. We are a little banged up, but we are hoping to get some guys back."
The Knights had to feel banged up after dealing with Sycamore's balanced offense, which featured halfback Cody Bex piling up 146 yards in 19 carries and Howell's 2 touchdown grabs, plus an 88-yard reception that set up Anderson's 1-yard TD plunge to open the scoring with 3:11 left in the first quarter.
When Anderson scored on a 25-yard jaunt early in the second quarter and Howell drilled a 20-yard field goal late, the Spartans enjoyed a 17-7 halftime lead.
Sycamore (1-1, 2-2) kept its momentum going in the second half, this time with its defense stiffening considerably and finishing the game with 4 interceptions, three pulled down by sophomore Marckie Hayes, and 2 fumble recoveries.
Howells scored his touchdowns in the second half, hauling in scoring passes of 58 and 11 yards, while Anderson notched his third TD with a 2-yard run.
Anderson rushed 20 times for 86 yards, while completing 12 of 19 passes for 243 yards.
Henningson did his best to offset Anderson's effort, rushing for 129 yards on 16 carries and completing 15 of 29 passes for 134 yards.
"We had a great practice week and executed our game plan about as good as we can against a great passing team," Sycamore coach Joe Ryan said. "It was another great game for Nick Anderson . He is a top-notch quarterback."
Fedderly knew his team ran into a fired up Sycamore squad on a night when the Spartans were honoring the school's Hall of Fame inductees.
"I don't want to take anything away from Sycamore," Fedderly said. "They came out tonight and played well and they deserved the win."
Things won't get any easier for the Knights next week, as they host Batavia.