Bryan Bonato had a nice article...

...on the Antioch football team the other day in the Sun-Times. And I thought, even though I've seen several  North Suburban - Lake Conference games, I've never been to one from the North Suburban - Prairie Conference. Shame on me!

Last year, Lakes finished the season at 9-2, Grant at 8-3 and North Chicago at 7-3. Surely I could fit one of these schools into my busy 2013 schedule.

In 2012, Lakes had the dubious distinction of losing twice to Lake Forest, 20-13, during the regular season, and 23-21, in the second round of the playoffs. Safety T. J. Edwards, who has committed to Western Michigan, and wide receiver Nick Battaglia, will be returning for the Eagles.

Grant, for its part, got shut out by Stevenson, 42-0; lost to Lakes, 42-14; and fell to Crystal Lake Central, 30-13, also in round two of the postseason. The Fox Lake squad will get another shot at the Tigers of Central in Week One, though. Could be a good game!

As for North Chicago, the Warhawks lost to Grant, 34-14; Lakes, 62-0 (ouch!); and Evergreen Park, 23-7, in the first round of the playoffs.

So with that in mind, here's a (partial) list of some NSP games worth seeing -- if you don't mind driving all the way up there.

Aug. 30 Grayslake North @ Lakes
Aug. 30 Crystal Lake Central @ Grant

Sept. 6 Woodstock North @ Lakes
Sept. 6 Grant @ Lake Forest

Sept. 12 North Chicago @ Antioch
Sept. 12 Grant @ Libertyville

Sept. 20 Antioch @ Lakes

Sept. 28 North Chicago @ Grant

Oct. 4 Antioch @ Lake Zurich
Oct. 4 Grant @ Lakes*

Oct. 18 Antioch @ Grant
Oct. 18 Lakes @ North Chicago

* This looks like the best bet to me. Although Lakes won the last two contests, they are only 3-5 vs. the Bulldogs since they started playing football in 2005. See you at the game!