DeKalb and Sycamore know what to expect from annual rivalry showdown – Shaw Local

Both the DeKalb and Sycamore football teams have many returning players for the 2024 season.

When the teams meet at Huskie Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, the field will be filled with players who not only have experience playing rival games, but also playing on an NCAA Division I football field in front of 8,000 to 10,000 fans.

“The experience was great because it’s obviously a DI field,” said Owen DePauw, a junior offensive and defensive player at Sycamore. “Big game, you have to be nervous. What I learned from it is that you only get a few games in your career and you should make the most of them.”

The Spartans won 42-7 last year, taking a 14-7 second half to earn their second straight win in the rivalry game. Since the teams began playing for the challenge cup in 1999, the Spartans have a 15-9 edge.

( IHSA Football: 2024 DeKalb County Week 1 Preview Capsules )

This year, the Barbs have 22 seniors on the team and 18 returning starters, including quarterback Cole Latimer and wide receiver Davon Grant – who has multiple DI offers, including from NIU, Iowa and Illinois.

“I think we’re much better positioned this year than we were last year,” DeKalb coach Derek Schneeman said. “Last year, we had 18 or 19 players coming into this game who had never started a college football game before. This year, we’re definitely much more experienced. And they’re very experienced, too.”

Sycamore also returns several players, including most of its skill players and offensive linemen. Quarterback Burke Gautcher has committed to Iowa and receiver Carter York has a walk-on offer from Illinois.

“It just creates a great atmosphere and a great game situation,” said Sycamore coach Joe Ryan. “Both teams feel like they have some experienced players in the right spots. Now it’s definitely time to perform. Two experienced teams, it should be a good night.”

York and Gautcher also play safety and will look to limit Grant. In last year’s game against the Spartans, he caught a couple of balls on a late scoring drive, including one for a touchdown.

And while Talen Tate graduated after his time as lead back for DeKalb, Mariyon Dudley and Travis Moore carried the ball for the Barbs. Billy Miller, Derrion Straughter and Lucas Boyer will support Grant at receiver.

“You have to know where he is, of course. He’s an outstanding player,” Ryan said of Grant. “But I’m sure they have other guys who are very capable as well. You have to be careful not to distort the playing field too much. You have to know where the best players are and go from there.”

Boyer, a senior, hasn’t played football the last two years after playing as a freshman. He played in the minor league game at Huskie Stadium in 2021, but he expects it to be different in the later game.

“I’ve heard a lot from the coaches and I’ve played there before. But nothing beats being under the lights and stuff,” Boyer said. “It’s going to be a pretty good time. But they reminded me to stay focused and concentrated. It’s a big game, it’s a big stage, but when we come to show what we’re going to show.”

DeKalb last won in 2021, Schneeman’s first year as head coach of the Barbs. It was their seventh consecutive win against the Spartans.

“Other than the cross-town rival, they’re just a really good team,” Schneeman said. “They’ve had some good performances in the playoffs. A win like this would show us as coaches that all of our work in the offseason was geared toward getting to a moment like this. Our kids are really excited about it and I know their kids are really excited about it. It should be a great night.”

DeKalb finished 3-6 last year and missed the postseason. Sycamore finished 9-2 last year and reached the Class 5A semifinals in 2021 and 2022.

Boyer said a win against Sycamore would mean a lot to the Barbs.

“Beating them doesn’t automatically mean greatness for the program,” Boyer said. “It’s great to beat Sycamore. They’re such a good team and have been for a couple of years. It’s not just a win on the schedule. It’s bragging rights for the team, the guys and myself. It’s a great opportunity to bring home a win and would mean a lot to us and the program.”