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  • Buffalo Grove's Cole Nixon (34) blocks in front of teammate...

    Tim Boyle / Pioneer Press

    Buffalo Grove's Cole Nixon (34) blocks in front of teammate Max Oberman (21) as Oberman carries the ball against Highland Park on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019.

  • Deerfield football coach Steve Winiecki said his team continues to...

    James C. Svehla / Pioneer Press

    Deerfield football coach Steve Winiecki said his team continues to push toward a playoff berth.

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One game into the final month of the regular season, the Deerfield football team is on target to reach the playoffs.

The Warriors defeated Maine East 47-15 on Friday for their fourth victory of the season. But Deerfield is not assuming anything, especially after a lopsided loss to Maine West in week five.

“We did not play well in the first half against Maine West,” Deerfield coach Steve Winiecki said. “We talked about getting back to our standard of playing (against Maine East).”

The Warriors (4-2, 1-1 Central Suburban North) scored on each of their first-half possessions. They got a defensive touchdown from sophomore Luke Woodson. Behind a reshuffled offensive line, senior quarterback Ryan Nagelbach completed all eight first half passes, totaling 219 yards, three touchdowns passing and another rushing.

Winiecki said the team moved offensive linemen Ben Reznik, James Lindquist, Zach Sher, Kevin Marshall and Charlie McKinney to different positions Friday in hopes of finding the right combination.

“We are looking to make a nice push (toward the playoffs), and we want to have the right fit,” Winiecki said.

Senior Teddy Iio gained 146 all-purpose yards against Maine East, and junior Chris Dawson added eight tackles.

Deerfield will host Vernon Hills on Friday.

Patriots thwart Mustangs: Stevenson junior Liam Crawley earned his second victory as a starter Friday as the Patriots defeated Mundelein 35-14.

Crawley is playing in place of Justin Hiller, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. One constant in Crawley’s three starts is the running game. Senior Jean-Marc Etienne has rushed for 469 yards as the clear centerpiece of the Patriots’ offense.

“We’ve been opening up things for JM, and the offensive line and perimeter blocking has helped out,” senior two-way player Jordan Vincent said.

Vincent continues to contribute on both sides of the ball for the Patriots (3-3, 3-1 North Suburban).

Vincent recovered his own forced fumble against Mundelein and returned it 34 yards. Etienne ran 42 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing Stevenson possession.

Vincent was on the field for that possession and provides another weapon on sweep plays from the slot.

“I’m playing the whole game and balancing things out,” Vincent said. “It makes us more unpredictable and means defenses can’t solely focus on (Etienne).”

Hiller is expected to return at some point this season.

Stevenson will face Waukegan on Saturday in a conference road game.

Quite the comparison: Buffalo Grove coach Jeff Vlk compared sophomore running back Cole Nixon to a former NFL player who was selected to six Pro Bowls.

Buffalo Grove's Cole Nixon (34) blocks in front of teammate Max Oberman (21) as Oberman carries the ball against Highland Park on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019.
Buffalo Grove’s Cole Nixon (34) blocks in front of teammate Max Oberman (21) as Oberman carries the ball against Highland Park on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019.

Nixon rushed for 101 yards on six carries in the Bison’s 48-20 homecoming victory against Wheeling on Friday.

“He runs a little like Mike Alstott,” Vlk said, referring to the Joliet Catholic legend nicknamed ‘A-Train.’ “We call him the ‘Cole Train.’ He’s a downhill runner, and when Cole is on the tracks, the train gets moving.”

Nixon was part of the Buffalo Grove rushing attack that gained 376 yards against the Wildcats. Senior Max Oberman led the charge with 204 yards on eight carries.

Vlk said he was most pleased with the Bison’s focus throughout the game, especially in the second half. The team changed up its halftime routine after blowing a first-half lead to Downers Grove North on Aug. 30 and fading late in a Sept. 6 loss to Barrington.

“I was happy with our discipline. I’m happy with the way we responded after last week’s loss,” Vlk said.

Up next is a Friday home game against Hersey.

Jon J. Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

Twitter @Pioneer_Press