Former foes set for 1st playoff matchup

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Harvard and Johnsburg used to see each other every regular season as members of the Big Northern Conference Red Division, but the two never have met in the playoffs.

There was only one season (1996) when they were both in the same class for the playoffs. The two former division foes will meet for their first postseason game as No. 11 seed Johnsburg (6-3) faces No. 6 Harvard (7-2) in the IHSA Class 4A playoffs at 7 p.m. today at Harvard’s Dan Horne Field.

Harvard clearly looked like a playoff team after its season-opening loss to Big Foot (Wis.), winning seven of its past eight games to take second in the BNC East Division to Richmond-Burton.

“Over the course of the season we’ve made great improvements in many areas,” Hornets offensive tackle Matt Melson said. “We’re ready to go for this game. It’s an amazing opportunity to get a first-round home game. That doesn’t come around very often.”

Johnsburg’s road to the playoffs was slightly rougher. The Skyhawks had to win their final two games at Prairie Ridge and at Grayslake North to reach the playoffs. With 37 playoff points (combined victories by opponents), five wins would not have been enough to qualify.

Johnsburg came up with an important victory, 24-21, against Prairie Ridge, then took care of business in the final week with a 38-0 win at Grayslake North.

“We were there on the bubble, and we knew what we needed to do,” Skyhawks middle linebacker Mike Sylvestri said. “Whatever it takes. We don’t want to go down easy.”

The Skyhawks are actually looking forward to the chance at picking on someone their own size, or smaller. All nine regular-season opponents had larger enrollments than Johnsburg; most of its opponents would have been in 5A or 6A for the playoffs. The Skyhawks are the sixth-largest team in Class 4A.

“Our schedule has prepared us well for the playoffs,” Johnsburg coach Barry Creviston said. “[Harvard] is smaller than us, but when we were in their conference we didn’t dominate.”

Against Harvard, though, the Skyhawks held quite an advantage. From 1998 through 2005 the two teams played every year in the BNC Red, with Johnsburg winning every time except the matchup in 2000.

Harvard leans heavily on its running game with area rushing leader Vince Gabrys, who has 1,393 yards and 20 touchdowns. Fullback Andrew Kick also has 702 yards rushing.

“Vinny’s had a very good year,” Hornets coach Tim Haak said. “It comes down to our offensive line and if we can move the football.”

Creviston, even in his first year coaching in this area, knows what to expect from Harvard.

“They’re a hard-nosed team that’s going to run right at us,” Creviston said. “That’s what we have to stop. They’re going to come after you for four quarters.”

Johnsburg will look vastly different on offense. The Skyhawks will mix up the pass and run, looking for wide receiver C.J. Fiedorowicz, who has 35 receptions for 735 yards and 12 touchdowns. Johnsburg will start sophomore Jon Torgerson for the third consecutive game at quarterback. Regular starter George Bielis injured his right (throwing) elbow in Week 7 and has played only sparingly since.

“They do multiple things that we have to take care of,” Haak said. “They have an outstanding kicker [Thomas Kinney] and are solid defensively. Those are problems they give you.”

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