Give it a ‘5’ on the (Reggie) Richter scale

Updated: August 27, 2011 9:12PM

As they are wont to chant in the stands at North Chicago prep football games, it’s time to “move the chains.”

And just like in real football, we get four chances to do just that.

So, here’s a four-down, big-picture look at Waukegan’s 35-6 thumping of host North Chicago on Saturday in the season opener for both squads.

1st. Thoughts on the Plenty of Green/Very little Purple/Gold Waukegan Bulldogs.

■ It took the Dogs 10 minutes of game action to actually start playing the way they’re capable, and if they do that against a Maine South or New Trier, they’re going to be behind 14-0 and playing uphill.

That said, we’ll give the team a pass on being ready for the kickoff on the grounds that the game started 50 minutes late due to what may have been the longest sophomore game in the history of high-school football (Waukegan won 20-8).

N Reggie Richter looks like he could be a really good QB and he played Saturday better than he looks.

A six-possession sequence in the heart of the game featured five TD passes from the 6-foot-5 Richter (13-for-18, 197 yards, 0 picks although he did hit two North Chicago defensive backs in the hands).

Reggie can’t be a game manager for Waukegan to win. He has to be an offense-generator.

On Saturday, he was.

■ Injuries could be a problem.

Breaking down on Saturday were starting running back Darius Green (ankle) and linebacker Tyler Witherspoon (shoulder).

Witherspoon is a ready-for-prime-time linebacker who had a dozen tackles and two fumble recoveries before going down.

He’s also the team’s vocal leader. Simply, he’s a guy you want on your side if you’re a football coach.

■ The backup guys have got to get better.

Coach Nick Browder praised the work of second-teamer Adam Sivia, who was thrust into action due to an injury.

“He stepped up and played a helluva game,” the coach said. “That’s what you want from a guy who’s not a penciled-in starter. He practices hard every day and runs until he has to drop. I’m very excited for him.”

Not so exciting were about 18 other second teamers who were just not ready to contribute.

They’ve got to get ready. Injuries are going to occur, and playoff teams are playoff teams because there’s no big drop-off when a sub has to fill in for a starter.

■ Waukegan’s defense forced SEVEN turnovers which is great, although, in all honesty, it didn’t feel like a great Bulldog performance overall.

What it did feel like is a start for a team with a lot of up-side.

Which is good because seven of the eight teams left on the schedule are better than North Chicago.

Having an up-side is a good thing.

2nd. Thoughts on the Red/White North Chicago Warhawks.

■ This is not a train wreck.

The defense played with eight in the box and completely stuffed Waukegan’s run game. These guys know how to tackle, and they’re tough.

The Hawks, however, can’t defend the pass.

The good news is that five of the eight teams left on the schedule probably can’t pass very well.

■ Sophomore Arnold Shead is the real deal.

He played running back the first half and had a 71-yard TD run and gained 133 total years on 14 carries.

In the second half, he was forced to move to quarterback, where he was not nearly as effective and took a real pounding.

The fact is, with Shead’s running ability and a good line, the Hawks have some of the pieces.

But without a passing game, they are going to have to find another running back who’s a legit threat to take the ball to the house.

Otherwise, Shead is going to be a marked man every Friday and he’ll be too banged up by November to play basketball.

■ Fifty percent of the game of football is 90 percent mental.

North Chicago had a dozen penalties to go with seven turnovers

If you play smart, you’ll win all the 50-50 games and even steal one when it’s 60-40 or 70-30 against you.

3rd. The big picture.

■ Waukegan players, fans and coaches are very aware that this team could go 6-3 or 72 and make the playoffs.

It’s the combination of a team with up-side in a year in which the schedule is favorable.

■ Waukegan athletic director Sam Taylor ought to be sweating bullets right now.

The Waukegan team could be anywhere from 4-2 to 6-0 when it hosts Glenbrook South in the night game at Waukegan SportsPark on the artificial-turf field that, right now, has no stands.

With the Dogs playoff-bound, that game could draw 4,000.

■ Excellent crowd management by North Chicago.

■ Excellent behavior by the fans on both sides.

■ Excellent hots dogs at the concession stand. Definitely worth two bucks.

■ Next home game (Friday against King of Chicago, put the choir on the field to sing the national anthem rather than hiding them in the press box.

Fans want to see the faces of the singers, and the singers are good enough that they deserve to be recognized.

■ On Thursday night, the Waukegan and North Chicago players had dinner together in the cafeteria at North Chicago.

4th. The parting shot.

Waukegan fans: Get with the drill.

After each game, the Bulldog players come over to the stands to sing the school fight song for/with the fans.

But on Saturday, the fans were almost all gone before the players got there.

Do not make that same mistake this Saturday when Antioch comes to town in what will be a real danger game for the Dogs.

And if you’re scoring at home, the Waukegan team is way better at football than it is at singing.

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