SCHEDULE
PREVIEW OF KANELAND'S DEFENSE FOR 1997
PREVIEW OF KANELAND'S OFFENSE FOR 1997
Week 1
A Perfect Start as Kaneland dismantles Grant 41-0
Kaneland started the 1997 football season with a bang. A loud bang, beating the Grant Bulldogs, 41 to 0.
Kaneland "D" looked awesome as Grant was only able to cross mid-field twice. The Knights offense meanwhile scored freely collecting a total of 430 yards. The Bulldogs had just 61.
| Kaneland | 13 | 15 | 07 | 06 | 41 |
| Grant | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
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Week 2
Kaneland has big second half to beat Sycamore 42-14
Kaneland trailed Sycamore 7-6, for 9 minutes and 10 seconds, until their first possession in the second half when they came out gunning and scored 5 touchdowns. That combined with some hard "D" turned a first half scare into an easy 42 to 14 victory.
Kaneland's "D" did allow a touchdown on the third quarter after a Knight fumble at midfield. Kaneland "D" also had a goal line stand at the 2 inch line in the first quarter.
| Kaneland | 06 | 00 | 22 | 14 | 42 |
| Sycamore | 00 | 07 | 07 | 00 | 14 |
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Week 3
Knights have third convincing win in a row
Despite a lackluster effort, Kaneland removed the Raid from the Raiders of Glenbard South Saturday afternoon 34-0. After a slow offensive start Kaneland scored three times on GS miscues to grab a 27 to zip halftime lead. The Knights offense took a afternoon siesta in the second half, letting the defense do all the work.
Strange as it may seem, the Knights did not have a sharp game yet beat a school over twice their size 34-0. This team still does not know how good it is. Next week they should find out - as Morris invades Peterson field.
| Kaneland | 07 | 20 | 00 | 07 | 34 |
| Glenbard South | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
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Week 4
Kaneland finally beats Morris 14-7
It was like the Super Bowl. It was the Biggest game in Kaneland's football history. And when the smoke had cleared the Knights had won 14-7. But the game was not as close as the score indicated.
Clearly the Knights had out played the Redskins, never letting Morris enter their Red Zone. The Kaneland "D" held Morris at a bay all night with the only Redskin score coming on a Kaneland interception that was returned for 100 yards.
"We should have won the game 28-0", stated guard Brian Herra.
In summary, Kaneland jumped to a 14-0 halftime lead and were driving for another touchdown in the third quarter when Morris intercepted a pass at the goal line and ran all the way back for a Redskins touchdown. From then on the Kaneland offense played conservatively and the Kaneland 'D' dug in for the win.
Morris tried trick plays, had 13 penalties for 100 yards, and no matter what they tried the offensive couldn't get close to the Kaneland goalline.
The win was a team effort by Kaneland, with no single player being the difference. Just about every player had a major impact on the win.
It took Kaneland 20 years to have a convincing win over Morris and it couldn't have happened at better time, because this was the LAST time Kaneland will play Morris.
| Kaneland | 07 | 07 | 00 | 07 | 14 |
| Morris | 00 | 00 | 07 | 00 | 07 |
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Week 5
Knights shutout Yorkville 45-0
The Kaneland Knights played a PERFECT first half for a 42-0 intermission lead and then coasted in the second half to dampen Yorkville's homecoming festivities. The Foxes had the ball seven times in first half and never made a first down, while the Knights scored a touchdown every time they got the ball. The Knights ran more first half offensive plays (43) than the Foxes had yards (27).
At the end of the game Kaneland had 365 yards to Yorkville's 96 and Kaneland also had a 20-5 first down edge. Yorkville never crossed mid-field until the final drive when Kaneland's starting defensive team was off the field.
"I think we played our best game," stated coach Joe Thorgesen. Result: The Knights are now 5-0, have out scored their opponents 178-21, and the Kaneland defense has allowed only one touchdown in it's first 5 games!!! Absolutely amazing.
| Kaneland | 21 | 21 | 03 | 00 | 45 |
| Yorkville | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
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Week 6
Knights hang-on to beat Ridgewood
In a change twist of fate, Kaneland who had a comfortable lead of 28-7, in the third quarter and driving for a another touchdown, had a pass picked off at the 2 yard line and returned for a 98 yard Rebel touchdown that changed the whole complexion of the game.
For the first time this season the opposition out played the Knights as Ridgewood scored twice more to make it 28-26 with a little over 6 minutes left to play in the game.
Then with only 28 seconds on the clock and fourth down, the Rebels tried a 42 yard field goal for the win, but Aaron Siebens blocked the kick and the Knights hung on for the victory.
| Kaneland | 14 | 14 | 00 | 00 | 28 |
| Ridgewood | 00 | 07 | 12 | 07 | 26 |
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Week 7
Kaneland 42 Herscher ZIP
Thanks to the Herscher Tigers the Knights 1997 Homecoming was a total success. What could have been the largest crowd ever to watch a football game at Peterson field, saw the Knights walk away with a lopsided 42-0 victory. With the win the Knights moved to 7-0 -- the best start in the history of the school. In addition, the victory guaranteed Kaneland berth in the state playoffs for the third straight year. It was their forth shutout in seven games and the 4th time they have scored over 40 points.
The game was over after the first quarter as the Knights scored 4 touchdowns for a 29-0 lead. The Knights came to play and at the end of the 1st quarter had 162 yards to -17 for the Tigers. Kaneland added a touchdown in the second quarter and again in the third. After the final touchdown the game was played with a running clock and the game was over early.
Kyle Schrader scored 4 touchdowns. The Tigers never got closer than the Knights 31 yard line and only crossed mid-field once. Kaneland finishes the season against Evergreen Park and Westmont.
| Kaneland | 29 | 07 | 06 | 00 | 42 |
| Herscher | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
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Week 8
Kaneland tame Mustangs 49-0
Kaneland traveled to Evergreen Park for the first time ever for their third Saturday afternoon game of the year. It resulted in a 49-0 blowout as the Kaneland "D" was awesome. The Mustangs never entered the Knights red zone, crossed mid-field only twice, and managed only 6 first downs for the entire game.
The Kaneland offense was equally impressive as they scored 7 touchdowns, by five different people. After their first possession the Knights scored every time they got the ball and had the ball on EP's 10 yard line when the game ended. Ryan West had 3 touchdowns and 101 yards in 12 carries and Kyle Schrader also broke the hundred yard mark with 130 yards on 9 carries. Kaneland had 352 yards rushing and no turnovers.
The Knights had 435 total yards to Evergreen Park's 62!! The only bad news was that QB Eric Delaney was sacked twice for the first time this season.
With the win the Knights won the SPC Blue conference championship for the second straight year.
| Kaneland | 07 | 21 | 21 | 00 | 49 |
| Evergreen Park | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
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Week 9
Perfect End to a Perfect Season 42-0
Kaneland did it!!! First undefeated season!!!! 9-0!!!! Sixth shutout of the season. Most in the state!!! Sixth game scoring over 40 points!!!! Least points allowed ever for a Kaneland team 47!!!! Etc. Etc.
Kaneland scored on their first possession for the 6th time this year. Had a 28-0 half time lead to finish the season scoring in every first half quarter. Held Westmont to a minis -3 yards in the first half. Westmont never crossed midfield until the Knights had a 42-0 lead.
Ryan West Rushed for three touchdowns and Kyle Schrader ran back a kickoff for 95 yards. Bill McKeown and Eric Delaney ran for TD's also. The Knights had three interceptions by Chad Herst, Rusty Pozen, and Aaron Siebens.
| Kaneland | 07 | 21 | 14 | 00 | 42 |
| Westmont | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Click HERE for complete coverage on the game.