By Erin McGovern

Staff Writer|

Excitement is mounting as Prospect prepares to face Glenbrook North this Friday in round one of the playoffs.

The 6-3 Knights will take on the 8-1 Spartans in Northbrook in what is predicted to be a pretty even match-up between two very talented teams.

Offensive line coach Tim Beishir believes the Knights will have to bring the physical pressure that they are known for to defeat the previously untested Spartans offense.

“They’ve won eight consecutive games, so clearly they know how to win,” Beishir said. “We need to play our physical game if we want success.”

Aside from defensive consistency, the Knights offense has struggled with penalties and execution in the red zone after long drives.

“We weren’t sure what team would show up,” Beishir said. “This is a great opportunity for us, and we can’t take the chance to come out flat.”

The coaches and players are confident, however, that the positive momentum from the Knights recent winning streak will convert to energy during Friday’s game, Oct. 26 .

Beishir and defensive line coach of the year Brock Collins both believe their players are up to challenge after all of the hard work and experience that has gone into this season.

“If they’re going to play all 48 minutes, they need to have confidence in themselves as a team,” Collins said. “They need to have the attitude that they will play their best game.”

The Knights defeated Hersey earlier this year, who was the only team to beat Glenbrook North this season.

Despite the resulting talk that this could be an easy game for Prospect, the football program is preparing for tough opposition from the Spartans–competition the players are more than willing to meet.

“We’re known for hitting hard,” junior running back Jack Tuttle said. “These last few games have definitely given us momentum and made us optimistic–I’m pumped.”