Demons hoping to rebound after loss to Glenbrook North

Maine East's Germaine Logan (right) tries to fight off a block by Maine West's Christian Maldonado, while Calvin Williams carries the ball for yardage.
(Jerry Daliege/for pioneer press)

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Maine East is still searching for its first victory of the season heading into the final two weeks of the season. Not only would a victory give a little confidence boost heading into the offseason, but it would also help snap a losing streak that stretches four years to 2004.

"Obviously, it's very important," said Maine East Head Coach Len Labonar. "We'd love to get that win."

The Demons will try to do just that Friday as they travel to conference rival Niles North. Both the Demons and Vikings are at the bottom of the standings in conference play. If the Demons are to earn a victory this year it will likely be in the game against the Vikings rather than the following week when they have to play a pretty good Highland Park team.

"We need to focus on just one game at a time," said Labonar. "We got a nice game against Niles North on Friday."

Labonar knows his team did not play the game it would have liked to play against Glenbrook North. Special teams had been one of the few bright spots for the Demons this season, but they couldn't hang onto the ball on the opening kickoff, as well as the ensuing kickoff. Both turnovers led to immediate scores by the Spartans.

"Special teams-wise we have returned four or five kickoffs for touchdowns -- it's been a strength," said Labonar.

The Demons' early turnovers put them in a hole they could not climb out of as they surrendered an insurmountable 73 points in a loss to the Spartans.

This week, Labonar is hoping things will be different against Niles North.

"We have our game plan," said Labonar. "There are some things that we'd like to do offensively.

"We had to rest some guys due to injuries this week so we'll come at them (Niles North) nice and healthy."

Even if the winless season and the pressure of earning their first win since 2004 is on the minds of Labonar and the rest of the Demons they aren't showing it as they prepare for the Vikings.

"It will be fun for us," said Labonar. "We'll just see what happens."