George Costanza...

...did not attend Lake Zurich High School.

But Anthony Costanzo did.

After graduation, Costanzo (above) played offensive tackle at Boston College and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Costanzo is the only notable alum of Lake Zurich that I could find.

There really wasn't much information at all on this northwest suburban high school that is appearing in its third 7A championship in five years. The last time Lake Zurich won the state title was in 2007, when the Bears defeated Wheaton Warrenville South, 7-3.

Just about the only thing I could find out about Lake Zurich is that the school was founded in 1926 as Ela-Vernon High School and split into two separate institutions in 1964 -- Lake Zurich High School and Stevenson High School. A rivalry was born and the football teams competed every year for what was known as "the Cannon," a miniature steel replica of the real thing which fired a blank shotgun shell when the teams entered the field or scored a touchdown. Kind of like the "Little Brown Jug" or the "Old Oaken Bucket," I suppose. The Cannon was retired in 1982 as the rivalry died down, although the two schools still compete in the North Suburban Conference.

Fast forward to 2010. Lake Zurich is coached by Bryan Stortz (above), who has compiled a 51-12 record since taking the helm in 2006. Last year, the Bears finished at 9-4 and were eliminated in the semifinals by Glenbard West, 21-17.

Lake Zurich is primarily a running team and its primary running back is Jacob Brinlee (above), who ran for 1,394 yards and 14 touchdowns this year. (The senior finished his career with 3,293 yards, a school record.)

Junior quarterback Zach Till (above) threw only 86 passes this season for 688 yards, 225 of which were on just six completions against Mundelein, a day when Brinlee was out with an injury. But Brinlee isn't the only threat in the Bears' backfield; Mike Shield and Jon Mularz combined for 857 yards and 11 touchdowns this year.

And Lake Zurich has a strong defense as well, anchored by middle linebacker J. J. Raffelson, a Division I prospect. Besides shutting out St. Rita last week, the Bears limited their quarterfinal foe, Simeon, to just one first down in the first half and no points until the fourth quarter. The Wolverines, who had averaged 51 points a game (including a Week 1 victory over Mount Carmel) were held to only 14.

Saturday's game against undefeated Wheaton Warrenville South will have special meaning for one player in particular, Mike Shield.

"My brother was on the 2007 team," said Shield. "I just want to go down there and prove to him we can do it, too."

The Bears' 2010 season in a nutshell:

Lake Zurich 20, Fremd 10
Lake Zurich 10, Cary-Grove 3
Lake Zurich 36, North Chicago 0
Lake Zurich 45, Zion-Benton 0
Lake Zurich 44, Libertyville 22
Stevenson 24, Lake Zurich 23
Lake Zurich 14, Warren 0
Lake Zurich 35, Mundelein 7
Lake Zurich 17, Lake Forest 14
Lake Zurich 41, Jacobs 7
Lake Zurich 14, Prospect 7
Lake Zurich 17, Simeon 14
Lake Zurich 21, St Rita 0