Eric Couper

🟢Notre Dame (7-4) took a 21-7 lead midway through the second quarter at Grant, and the Dons led by double digits for most of the rest of the game en route to a 43-16 first round win. Eric Couper was efficient, finishing 11-15 for 243 yards and three scores. Christopher Love and Deonte Macon each scored twice, and Nathan Nowak caught a pair of touchdowns. This game served as a good reminder to opponents that the Dons have plenty of offensive weapons on hand even when Peter Panagiotopoulos doesn’t catch 14 passes. Notre Dame last advanced to the quarterfinals in 2022, and they’ve got a chance to do so again this weekend as they take aim at a second straight Lake County opponent. 🟠Next Game: At Libertyville (8-2), 1:00 Saturday The Wildcats are the only team from the North Suburban Conference still alive. They earned an opening round bye and beat Muchin College Prep 61-0 on Saturday afternoon. Libertyville did play a couple of close conference games, but their stingy defense held five of seven NSC opponents to single digits. They also played two high-quality non-conference road games to start the year, losing both but holding their own with Geneva and Naperville North. At the time of this post, tight end and Texas commit Brock Williams appears likely to miss the game with a shoulder injury, per the Daily Herald. This is the Wildcats’ seventh straight year in the playoffs. They’re looking to win multiple playoff games for the first time since 2015. ☑️Illinois Media poll: #9 in 6A 🗓️Schedule: 40 opponents’ wins, 1 ranked team - so about average overall, but it feels a bit tougher than that 🏈Scoring averages: Offense 31.7 / Defense 10.5 🏆Best regular season win: Week 8 vs. Lake Zurich, 14-10 👀One player to watch: The Wildcats will rely on talented senior DB Reid Williams to slow down Panagiotopoulos, Nowak, and crew @NDCP_Football @ndcp_athletics @KonradHozian @Peterrrr_13 @Ericcouper18 @nowak_nate7187 @ShayBoyle_NDCP @RaymondHookfin2 @GavinNinni @Jp5Look @d1_lovx @Cook_Sean27 @QuincyThomas222 @ConniesPizza

➡️The #CCL has one team in each quadrant of the 6A bracket, and we'll start at the top: 🟢Notre Dame (5-4) is the #12 seed in the northern half of Class 6A and will host CSL neighbor Maine West. The Dons boast 11 All-CCL selections, led by Purple DPOY Konrad Hozian and arguably the most productive QB/WR duo in the CCL. This is a veteran group that has worked hard to get back to the playoffs, and they hope to earn a trip to Grant over Halloween weekend. 🏈Scoring averages: Offense 32.2 / Defense 26.9 👀One player to watch: It’s two players again, but the Eric Couper-Peter Panagiotopoulos connection has been otherworldly 🔵Behind Enemy Lines: Maine West Maine West (3-6) is in the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years and looking for the second playoff win in school history. Sophomore Wyatt Roux won the QB battle and has been developing on the fly. Oddly, the Warriors are 0-6 when they allow at least 1 point - all of their wins were shutouts. 🗓️Schedule: Average - 40 opponents’ wins, 1 ranked team, 2 RV 🏈Scoring averages: Offense 23.2 / Defense 27.3 🏆Best win: Week 9 at Vernon Hills, 41-0 👀One player to watch: Senior Zaire Domino defines versatility - he’s played at least half the positions on the field in his career and just ran for 105 yards & 2 scores in Week 8 @NDCP_Football @ndcp_athletics @ShayBoyle_NDCP @Peterrrr_13 @CoachDefranzaND @KonradHozian @Ericcouper18 @Cook_Sean27 @RaymondHookfin2 @nowak_nate7187 @MattBrophy1908 @T416144 @GavinNinni