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Scouting this week's DuPage County football games

By Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

kschmit@dailyherald.com

Marmion (1-1, 0-0) at Montini (1-1, 0-0)

Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Marmion 6, Fenwick 0; Loyola 41, Montini 24

Last year: Montini 27, Marmion 21 (OT)

Outlook: Starting now, Montini will try to fend off challengers to its SCC Blue crown. Last year's Week 9 epic ended with Montini's Jordan Westerkamp rising between two Marmion defenders for a 10-yard touchdown catch in overtime. The Nebraska-bound receiver already has 15 catches for 260 yards and 4 TDs while junior quarterback Mark Gorogianis has completed 30 of 56 passes for 419 yards, 4 TDs and 4 interceptions. The main import of last week's loss to Loyola, coach Chris Andriano said, was exposing weaknesses in tackling and offensive execution.

Marmion's strength is its defensive front, featuring 270-pound Graham Glasgow, so Montini center Brian Piper & Co. must out-technique them. Defensively, Montini should load the box against a Cadets offense that has run for 371 yards but passed for only 47. “I think they're going to be hungry from the overtime loss last year,” Andriano said. “I think that'll be a factor early in the game, the emotion.”

Next week: St. Edward at Marmion; Montini at Marian Central.

Waubonsie Valley (2-0, 0-0) at Bartlett (1-1, 0-0)

Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 34, Oswego 14; Bartlett 42, Elgin 0

Last year: Waubonsie Valley 17, Bartlett 6

Outlook: This battle between defending UEC Valley co-champions may already decide the 2011 title. Last season Bartlett sabotaged itself with 4 fumbles and an interception, helping Waubonsie surge after a scoreless half. As Warriors coach Paul Murphy said, “It's going to come down to execution by either team.” Bartlett crushed Elgin after losing its opener to Wheaton North, 26-24, on the last play. Tom Meaney's Hawks feature Air Force-bound quarterback A.J. Bilyeu, who has completed 27 of 42 passes for 336 yards, 5 touchdowns.

Still, Murphy said the main thrust is always stopping Bartlett's ground game, which by committee has gained 361 yards. Offensive balance keyed Waubonsie last week. Austin Guido ran for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns and quarterback Mitch Stefani threw for 238 yards and ran for 91. Always-physical Bartlett must be matched by Warriors linemen such as Zach Steele and Chris Weaver. “It'll come down to who controls the line,” Murphy said.

Next week: Lake Park at Waubonsie Valley; Bartlett at Batavia.

St. Francis (2-0, 0-0) at Marian Central (2-0, 0-0)

Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: St. Francis 22, Vernon Hills 21; Marian Central 14, McHenry 9

Last year: Marian Central 33, St. Francis 26

Outlook: These SCC Blue powers join Montini in the AP Class 5A Poll, Marian tied with Montini in fourth, St. Francis in seventh fast off the Spartans' waning-second victory over Vernon Hills. Yeoman junior Jack Petrando ran for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns with the game-winning 2-point conversion, plus 9 solo tackles at outside linebacker. “I don't think he came off the field,” said St. Francis coach Greg Purnell. Of Petrando's 31 carries, 21 went to the left side of tackle Kyle Bosch, guard Josh Croci and center Jack Webb. Veteran Marian coach Ed Brucker will notice that. His Hurricanes offer junior quarterback Chris Streveler, who in the Week 1 47-41 win over Oswego threw for 4 touchdowns and ran for 2 behind Northern Illinois-bound tackle Scott Taylor and linemate Kurtis Stirneman. After a long bus ride one St. Francis quest is to play consistently from the start after being outscored 21-6 thus far in the first half. “We've got to start playing two halves,” Purnell said.

Next week: Wheaton Academy at St. Francis; Montini at Marian Central.

Naperville North (1-1, 0-0) at Wheaton North (1-1, 0-0)

DuPage Valley Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Naperville North 14, Thornton 10; Geneva 33, Wheaton North 24.

Last year: Wheaton North 14, Naperville North 7.

Outlook: Wheaton North coach Joe Wardynski didn't mince words when talking about the Falcons' loss to Geneva. “We were awful on defense,” he said. Against a physical Naperville North offensive line led by 6-foot-4, 290-pound David Meyerhoff, the Falcons' smaller defense will be tested — especially with Huskies running back Danny Puknaitis coming off consecutive 100-yard rushing games. If quarterback Tyler Gehr gets the passing game going, the Huskies will be tough to stop. The good news for Wheaton North is its electric offense continues to churn out points.

Wide receivers Johnny Daniels, Micah Penn, Coleton Hrgich and Brett Kohler have combined for 29 catches from quarterback John Peltz. Look for running back Patrick Sharp to get more touches. Naperville North enjoyed a stellar defensive performance against Thornton. With Brett Jones up front and linebackers Nick Krejci, Tim Davis and Sean Murphy, the Huskies have confidence in their front seven.

Next week: WW South at Naperville North; Wheaton North at West Chicago.

Glenbard West (2-0, 0-0) at Lyons Twp. (1-1, 0-0)

West Suburban Silver

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Glenbard West 49, Willowbrook 0; Downers Grove South 28, Lyons Twp. 0.

Last year: Lyons Twp. 31, Glenbard West 13.

Outlook: Glenbard West has waited since Week 9 of last season for this rematch. That loss cost the Hilltoppers the outright Silver title and a better postseason seed. Needless to say, Glenbard West is fired up for this one. The Hilltoppers plan on sending a barrage of backs — Avery Balogh, Joey Zito, Deon Dumas and quarterback Justice Odom — at the Lions' defense behind an offensive line led by Johnny Caspers and Nick Garland. Glenbard West's defense has been as good as advertised, and not just because of Penn State-bound lineman Tommy Schutt. Erik Strittmater and Andrew Larkin are a formidable linebacker tandem.

The Hilltoppers have allowed only 52 rushing yards in two games, but they'll be tested by Lions running back Jaime Jones, who rushed for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns in last year's win. Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet, though, is especially wary of the Lions' short passing game featuring receivers Rennick Thompson and Matthew Harris.

Next week: Hinsdale Central at Glenbard West; Lyons Twp. at Downers Grove North.

Benet (0-2, 0-2) at St. Patrick (2-0, 1-0)

Game time: 8 p.m. Friday at Hanson Stadium in Chicago.

The quick hit: An 85-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Weller to Bobby Hayes was about the only highlight for Benet last week against Marian Catholic. This week's challenge is daunting. Benet must slow down a Shamrocks offense that's scored 117 points.

Downers Grove North (1-1) at Oak Park (1-1, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The good news for the Trojans in last week's win over Morton? They rushed for 355 yards, including 100-yard games by Tony Rada and Robert Sheppard. The bad news was turnovers. Downers North fumbled the ball 6 times, losing 2 of them.

East Aurora (0-2, 0-0) at Metea Valley (2-0, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The quick hit: In 2010 the Mustangs earned their sole Year 1 win over East. There should be no change, particularly if Cameron Wilcox can continue averaging 10 yards a carry. Metea still has things to fix, like penalties which have brought back 5 touchdowns.

Glenbard East (1-1, 0-0) at Naperville Central (1-1, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Slowing Glenbard East's balanced offense means slowing quarterback Joe Kotch, an assignment that falls on the Redhawks' defensive line led by Zach Borta. Can the Rams slow running back Matt Randolph and quarterback Ian Lewandowski?

Hinsdale South (1-1, 0-0) at Proviso East (0-2, 0-0)

Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: The Hornets struggled defensively in last week's loss to York, falling behind 19-0 by halftime. Against a Pirates defense that's surrendered 90 points, this is a good opportunity for the Hornets' no-huddle offense and running back Keontae Hall.

Immaculate Conception (2-0, 0-0) at Aurora Central (2-0, 0-0)

Game time: 5 p.m. Saturday

The quick hit: Aurora Christian is the favorite in the Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division, but these two would like to be factors. Coming off a forfeit win at Edwardsburg, Mich., IC returns Matt Mesnard, who ran for 511 yards, 8 touchdowns last season.

Leyden (0-2, 0-0) at Addison Trail (2-0, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: If running back Anthony Catanese can't play because of a stinger, Addison Trail is still poised for a big game with Anthony Messina, quarterback Trevor Bermingham and others. Leyden's Jon Rodriguez is the focal point of the Blazers' defense.

Morton (1-1, 0-0) at Downers South (2-0, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Downers South's defense, led by Jeremy Ulrich's 3 sacks, was phenomenal in last week's 28-0 win over Lyons Twp. Injuries forced 17 players into action but the Mustangs didn't miss a beat — not even with the Lions enjoying a 72-41 edge in plays.

Proviso West (1-1, 0-0) at Hinsdale Central (2-0, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Hinsdale Central's impressive start to the season continued with a 42-0 win over Leyden. The defense allowed 35 total yards. The Red Devils' offense continues to progress with quarterbacks Danny Callahan and Brian Owens splitting time.

Rich East (1-1) at Glenbard South (1-1)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: After a win over Bloom the Raiders continue to trek through the Southland Conference. Quarterback Tyler Padera and running back Wes Sanders keep powering the offense, while the defense seeks improvement from last week's 350 yards allowed.

Rich South (0-2) at Fenton (2-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Middle linebacker Roman Castellanos helped tighten up Fenton's defense last week in a win over Maine West. The unit will get a boost from defensive back Adam Kadlec's return from injury. The offense seeks production beyond Alan Geneva.

St. Charles North (0-2) at Neuqua Valley (1-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The quick hit: A tough foe for the Wildcats, the snakebit visitors are due some good luck in this Upstate Eight crossover. Neuqua will try deny that by stiffening a defense that's allowed 426 yards rushing and by getting receivers open for Nate Boudreau to pass to.

St. Edward (2-0, 0-0) at Wheaton Academy (0-2, 0-0)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday, Wheaton College

The quick hit: These newcomers to the hardy Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division may view this as their best bet for a conference win. Junior Nate Martinez steps in as full-time quarterback for Wheaton, which seeks consistency on both sides of the ball.

South Elgin (0-2, 0-0) at Lake Park (1-1, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The quick hit: Following Chris Roll's first win as Lake Park head coach, seniors like Cole Sheeks and Matt Shannon will recall last year's 48-0 pounding by the Storm. Junior back LaCurt Evans clocked Glenbard East with 4 touchdowns and 136 yards rushing.

West Aurora (2-0, 0-0) at WW South (0-2, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: With WW South's defense and special teams up to speed, the Tigers focus on an offense that has yet to reach double-digit scoring. To get a young offensive line up to speed, look for the Tigers to lean on the run game of Dan Vitale and Patrick Garner.

West Chicago (0-2, 0-0) at Glenbard North (2-0, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Despite Glenbard North's punishing ground game, coach Ryan Wilkens thinks his experienced line with three returning starters has room to grow. The Panthers got some great play last week from defensive backs Alex Mendez and Tremel Smith.

Westmont (0-2, 0-0) at Lisle (0-2, 0-0)

Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday, Benedictine University

The quick hit: Lisle's Dan Sanko holds a 4-1 lead for the Old Plank Road Trophy against Westmont coach Mark Orszula, his former player and assistant. Lisle quarterback Nick Saul will try to provide early positives for a team that thus far has been outscored 85-9.

York (1-1) at Willowbrook (0-2)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Defenses concerned about York receiver David Byerley also need to address Jordan Preuss, who last week had 3 catches for 3 touchdowns. Willowbrook quarterback Steve Ferguson showed tremendous grit in a loss to Glenbard West.