Warren, Waukegan earn passing grades

Warren tight end James Poliquin (left) dives between Waukegan defenders to try and catch a pass during a 7-on-7 passing tournament.
(Josh Peckler/Special to the News-Sun)

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This could be the year that the football teams at Warren and Waukegan high schools meet in an evenly-matched competition on the local pitch.

That's because both schools figure to qualify for the playoffs this fall, and both schools have huge enrollments that will put them in the same (8A) playoff class.

For the Blue Devils, who were a somewhat surprising 6-3 last fall before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, the difference-maker this year could be senior quarterback Eric Shaw.

Last year, he was more of a manager of the game -- think Kyle Orton of the Bears during his rookie season when the Monsters of the Midway qualified for the playoffs -- but he now appears ready to provide the Devils with the passing needed to balance the attack.

"Eric has really picked up where he left off last season," said Warren coach Dave Mohapp. "He's getting his timing down with our receivers and is looking pretty good during the 7-on-7 (all passing, no linemen) drills."

Meanwhile, over on the Waukegan side, Pat Jennings is beginning his fourth year at the helm, and he just grins ear-to-ear when he talks about his signal-caller and team leader -- Mar'Quezie Edmonds. "Mar'Quezie is the real deal," said Jennings of the senior who will remind many of former University of Texas star Vince Young. "He's really understanding what we want to do offensively, and he can do it all on the field."

For both quarterbacks the summer gives them the chance to compete with other teams and get used to seeing different defenses while getting their timing back before real practice starts seven weeks from now.

Last week, Shaw and Edmonds actually were on the field together, as their teams were playing in a 7-on-7 passing tournament hosted by the Blue Devils.

"These 7-on-7 games are good because they give us the chance to evaluate what we have in our receiving corps, as well as giving our quarterbacks a chance to compete," said Mohapp. "So far Eric has looked pretty good and has shown how he's improved since last season."

Coach Jennings echoes that sentiment.

"Mar'Quezie is just a rock behind center," said Jennings. "He is letting the game come to him and he's making much better decisions with the football. He has become a leader on and off the field, and has become much smarter than he was as a sophomore when the game was a little too fast for him."

Jennings is also happy with how Edmonds has taken this team under his wing, showing leadership on and off the field.

"Mar'Quezie is just a great kid with a lot of talent, and he was able to learn how to lead by last year's squad," said Jennings. "This year, he knows it's his team and he has all the weapons offensively to get us into the playoffs."

Its hard to believe how far the Bulldogs have come in the three years since Jennings took over.

After going 0-9 in his first year with one of the least-competitive teams ever put on a field by a Class 8A school in the history of the sport, the Bulldogs have improved to 2-7, and to 5-4 last season with Edmonds missing two games due to a broken arm.

That enthusiam has carried over, and Jennings feels with Edmonds under center and weapons the likes of Mar'Quone Edmonds (Mar'Quezie's brother), Denzel Ray and Johnny Red as wideouts, there's nothing that should prevent the Bulldogs from going 7-2.

"We know the Central Suburban is tough with teams like Glenbrook South. Maine South and New Trier, but anything less then 7-2 will be disappointing," said Jennings. "We fully expect to host a first-round playoff game."

It may be only late June, but the

Blue Devils and Bulldogs could be on a collision course to meet Halloween night in a first-round playoff game,

With the passing ability of both Shaw and Edmonds leading the way it should be a lot of fun to watch.

Happy Halloween!