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Scouting: Week 5 Fox Valley football

Richmond-Burton (3-1, 0-0) at Burlington Central (3-1, 0-0)

When: today at 7 p.m. at Rocket Hill

Last year: Richmond-Burton 34, Burlington Central 0

Last week: Burlington Central 34, Stillman Valley 7; Richmond-Burton 27, Byron 6

Outlook: It's only the conference opener, but the winner of this game gains the edge in its quest for the Big Northern East title. Central returns to Rocket Hill for its homecoming after turning heads last week with a complete performance against state power Stillman Valley. The Rockets' only loss came in Week 2 in overtime against Sycamore (4-0). “I think ever since the Sycamore game we've had a pretty good mindset,” first-year head coach Rich Crabel said. Richmond-Burton is the team to beat in the Big Northern East until Burlington Central, Harvard (4-0) or North Boone (3-1) proves otherwise.

The two-time defending league champions enter this game on a 14-game winning streak in BNE contests. Hampshire was the last BNE team to beat R-B in Week 4 of the 2008 season. Richmond has also reached two state semifinals and a quarterfinal in the last three seasons. It's an impressive resume. Expect Central to ignore the visitors' pedigree. “I've said it before, but it's what we believe — we just expect to be successful and our kids have taken to that thought process,” Crabel said. “We don't mean any disrespect to anybody else, but we're pretty confident in ourselves even though we have to go up against a good Richmond team this week. They've been using a lot of different running backs, and they've got an awful lot of good kids on the offensive line. They do a lot of trapping.”

The R-B offense gets a huge lift this week from the return of running back Jake Dechow. He will return to action this week, R-B coach Patrick Elder confirmed in an email to the Daily Herald Thursday night. Dechow has not played this season due to a broken bone in his ankle, which he suffered in a wrestling match in July. Dechow rushed for over 1,300 yards last season. The Burlington Central offense thrived last week, thanks in part to the blocking of rotating senior fullbacks Chandler Crary and Al Willett, Crabel said. That duo along with the improving offensive line paved the way for junior tailback Joel Bouagnon (pronounced Boon-yohn) to rush for 147 yards on 23 carries, including 2 TDs. It helps that the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Bouagnon is tough to bring down.

“I think some people will be taking a look at him,” Crabel said of the college prospect. “He has size and decent speed. He's a raw talent.”

Next: Marengo at Richmond-Burton; Burlington Central at Genoa-Kingston

Larkin (2-2, 1-1) at Elgin (1-3, 0-2)

When: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Field

Last year: Elgin 28, Larkin 7

Last week: Geneva 45, Elgin 14; Larkin 26, St. Charles East 20

Outlook: Larkin leads the all-time series 30-19, but the rival Maroons have held the coveted Town Jug Trophy for the last two years. That's how Elgin would like it to stay. “These seniors don't want to be the ones to give it up on their watch,” said Elgin coach Dave Bierman, an Elgin graduate who was also the head coach at Larkin for three seasons. The Royals enter the game on a high note after one of the most thrilling victories in school history last week at St. Charles East. Luka Bogicevic blocked a potential game-winning field goal by the Saints and teammate Shaq Mosley returned it 82 yards for a stunning touchdown with 13 seconds left in the game

. It was a breakout game for Mosley, who also made 5 catches for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns. “He had a great game,” Larkin coach Mike Scianna said. “That's what we need against Elgin, for our senior leadership to continue to show us the way.” Elgin senior captain Dennis Moore practiced this week and is expected to play against Larkin. Moore has missed two games and most of the second half of another with injuries associated with a sprained ankle suffered during the season opener. Also an all-Upstate Eight Conference safety, Moore intercepted Larkin quarterback Kyle Newquist in the Town Jug game last season.

Next: Elgin at St. Charles North; Waubonsie Valley at Larkin

East Aurora (0-4, 0-2) at Streamwood (4-0, 2-0)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Millennium Field

Last year: Streamwood 34, East Aurora 8

Last week: Streamwood 35, St. Charles North 9; Neuqua Valley 56, East Aurora 7

Outlook: In past seasons when the Sabres were hurting for wins, East Aurora was the team on the schedule the Sabres could be competitive against. Streamwood has won the last 4 meetings between these Upstate Eight Conference schools and 9 of the last 14. Now enjoying its best start since 1997, Streamwood should have little problem distancing itself from the Tomcats on homecoming night. “We worked on a lot of our basics in practice this week, trying to upgrade because we know it will get tougher down the road,” Streamwood coach Cal Cummins said. “Not that you look past a team like this, but there's a time when you need to go back and start over from a coaching perspective and work on things even though you've been doing them all year.”

A win would improve the Sabres to 5-0 for the first time since 1997. They were also 5-0 in 1988. Streamwood boasts the area's leading rusher in senior running back Alex Morrow, who has carried the ball 84 times for 659 yards and 8 touchdowns (7.8 avg.). But the Sabres are dangerous offensively because Morrow is hardly the only weapon. Quarterback Dalton Lundeen has completed 34 of 59 attempts for 651 yards and 8 touchdowns without an interception. His array of athletic receivers includes Blake Holder (6 rec., 228 yards, 3 TDs) and Deji Giwa (9-140-3). “That's one of the things I was excited about coming into the season,” Cummins said of the offense's versatility. “We have several kids who can make plays on you. It's the kind of team that can attack from a lot different angles and that's something you enjoy as a coach.”

Next: St. Charles East at Streamwood; Lake Park at East Aurora

Bartlett (2-2, 1-0) at Lake Park (1-3, 0-2)

When: today at 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Bartlett 56, Lake Park 28

Last week: Batavia 35, Bartlett 13; Waubonsie Valley 54, Lake Park 7

Outlook: Not much went right for Bartlett last week in a lopsided loss at Batavia. The good news? It wasn't a Valley Division game within the Upstate Eight. The Hawks return to Valley Division play tonight in Roselle. “We're still 1-0 in the conference,” Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. “Last week was definitely a wake-up call for us, though. We have to come out and play better this week. We've made some personnel changes and we've made some adjustments on offense and defense. We'll go from there.”

Lake Park junior quarterback Zach Gehant is in his second year as the starter. He'll throw to junior Scott Filip (13 rec., 215 yds, TD). Gehant threw an interception last week in a loss to Waubonsie Valley, but fumbling the football was the bigger issue for the Lancers. They fumbled five times, losing all five. Senior running back LaCurt Evans scored 5 touchdowns in Lake Park's first two games, but he was kept out of the end zone by South Elgin and Waubonsie Valley. Bartlett hopes to extend his drought. “Looking at film, I think we can stop their run,” Meaney said. “Our defensive line has had a good week of practice. We have to watch out because they have three or four kids you have to worry about with the pass.”

Next: Bartlett at South Elgin; Lake Park at East Aurora;

South Elgin (2-2, 2-0) at Neuqua Valley (3-1, 1-0)

When: today at 7:30 p.m.

Last year: South Elgin 21, Neuqua Valley 14

Last week: South Elgin 33, Metea Valley 0; Neuqua Valley 56, East Aurora 7

Outlook: South Elgin won the previous two meetings between these UEC Valley Division schools, and both were extremely hard-fought victories. The third meeting should be no different. South Elgin plays a physical brand of football, led by senior two-way lineman Jon Slania (6-2, 275). Senior Devonte Greene (6-2, 225) is a menace on the defensive line. The Storm defense had to replace starters at nine positions. It has begun to jell since facing two state-ranked running teams to open the season in Downers Grove South and Metamora.

The Storm defense shut out previously undefeated Metea Valley last week. “Slania and DJ (Greene) in the middle and Zach and Nate Marotta and Chris Bingham at linebacker have done a real good job,” South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. “And we have good corners and safeties. We were just young and hadn't played together yet. Since that first night these guys have not stopped working hard. They have heart.” Neuqua Valley hasn't been tested much the last two weeks in blowout victories over winless St. Charles North and East Aurora, but the Wildcats also defeated Naperville North (2-2), which beat Wheaton Warrenville South last week.

The South Elgin offense will face a Neuqua Valley defense that likes to confuse opposing blockers. “They play that 3-5 and they're always coming at you,” Schabert said. “They're physical, their linebackers change depths and they run twists and stunts with the linemen. We've worked real hard this week with our offensive line. We've thrown every stunt and twist at them. We just have to know our assignments, where we're at and we have to take care of the ball.” Neuqua Valley juniors Joey Rhattigan (11 TDs) and Danny Dudek have combined to run for 806 yards.

Next: Bartlett at South Elgin; Metea Valley at Neuqua Valley

Cary-Grove (3-1, 0-1) at Jacobs (4-0, 1-0)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at Jacobs Athletic Field

Last year: Cary-Grove 49, Jacobs 21

Last week: Cary-Grove 35, Hampshire 6; Jacobs 42, McHenry 19

Outlook: Jacobs looks to parlay some homecoming magic into a signature victory. The Golden Eagles can become playoff eligible with a fifth consecutive victory. They'll have to play their best to do so because Cary-Grove is used to playing in charged atmospheres. The Trojans have already played in two playofflike games against state-ranked teams Lake Zurich and Crystal Lake South. Moreover, the Trojans have beaten Jacobs nine straight times. The Golden Eagles last defeated Cary-Grove in 2001, 13-9. “There's a lot on the line,” Jacobs coach Bill Mitz said. “We have to remember our assignments and execute.”

The Jacobs defense was unable to play assignment defense against the Cary-Grove option last season. The result was a 35-0 halftime lead for the Trojans. The Cary-Grove offense started slowly last week in its homecoming game against Hampshire. Junior quarterback Quinn Baker sparked the team off the bench by rushing for 193 yards and 4 touchdowns on 12 carries. Baker muscled home a 2-yard quarterback sneak and also ran for a 90-yard score. Asked if this week's starting quarterback would be Baker or senior Corey Laktas, who has started the last 16 games, coach Brad Seaburg said.

“I don't know. Corey and Quinn are two different players. Corey really understands defenses and understands the offense better maybe than Quinn, but Quinn has some really explosive playmaking ability.” Cary-Grove junior tailback Ryan Mahoney sat out last week with a sprained ankle. Seaburg said Mahoney is questionable for Jacobs.

Next: McHenry at Cary-Grove; Jacobs at Huntley

Crystal Lake South (4-0, 2-0) at McHenry (2-2, 1-1)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at McCracken Field

Last year: CL South 47, McHenry 21

Last week: CL South 48, Huntley 12; Jacobs 42, McHenry 19

Outlook: It's the Gators' turn to defend McHenry's spread offense, directed by senior quarterback Robert Tonyan. Jacobs intercepted Tonyan four times last week. The Warriors generally throw underneath passes for a reason instead of throwing deep more regularly. “I don't know if they feel they can give Tonyan the time to throw the deep pass consistently,” CL South coach Chuck Ahsmann said. “It's a shotgun spread, but it's almost like a west coast offense the way they dink it down the field.” Two Gators likely to make it a long night for McHenry are defensive lineman Josh Beveridge and jack-of-all trades Brad Walovitch. Beveridge (6-0, 210) leads a stout unit that has allowed only 2 touchdowns in four games.

He leads the team in total tackles (18.5) sacks (6) tackles for loss (8) and has forced 2 fumbles. Walovitch already has 6 interceptions with 118 return yards and a touchdown. Offensively, the Gators seem to have found a quality successor to All-State quarterback Drew Ormseth. Austin Fowler has completed 17 of 30 attempts for 277 yards and 5 touchdowns and has been intercepted three times. His top targets have been Will Ahsmann (6 rec., 132 yards, 3 TDs), who did not play football the last two seasons, and Walovitch (46-91-0). Crystal Lake South has won 14 straight regular-season games, dating back to Week 9 of the 2009 season.

Next: Prairie Ridge at CL South; McHenry at Cary-Grove

Huntley (0-4, 0-2) at Dundee-Crown (0-4, 0-2)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at the D-C Bowl

Last year: Huntley 40, Dundee-Crown 7

Last week: CL South 48, Huntley 12; Prairie Ridge 55, Dundee-Crown 0

Outlook: One of these teams will gain its first victory of the season in a matchup between Fox Valley Conference Valley Division teams. The Red Raiders' last victory came against Dundee-Crown in Week 8 of the 2010 season. It's homecoming in Carpentersville, where nothing would make the home fans happier than seeing the school's 21-game losing streak come to an end. The Chargers should be reinvigorated by the return of their top two running backs from injury: senior Ardian Asani and sophomore Cody Lane. “That should help,” Dundee-Crown coach Vito Andriola said. “Huntley is a good team and they've played a tough schedule, but this is about us and what we're going to do. We haven't reacted well to the losses. I think it wears on the kids because they haven't won in so long. But they are still working so hard. We had our best practice since I've been at this school (Wednesday).”

Huntley will try to get its offense rolling. The Red Raiders have struggled to put points on the board thus far. Of their 5 total touchdowns, 2 were scored on kickoff returns by John Walker and James Davis. Walker, running back Ethan Connor and quarterback Jake Brock have scored the team's 3 rushing touchdowns. Huntley has yet to throw a touchdown pass. A big reasons has been instability along the offensive line. For various reasons Huntley has not started the same linemen two games in a row yet this season. “We have to come out with consistency snap after snap in our technique and our intensity,” Huntley coach Matt Gehrig said. “We'll play well for a handful of plays, then we break down. From a defensive standpoint, we get teams in third-and-long situations and they convert. We have to finish drives on offense and we have to get stops on defense. You do that by playing hard each series.”

Next: Jacobs at Huntley; Woodstock North at Dundee-Crown.

Hampshire (0-4, 0-1) at Grayslake North (2-2, 1-0)

When: today at 7:15 p.m.

Last week: Cary-Grove 35, Hampshire 6; Grayslake North 30, Johnsburg 6

Outlook: Hampshire enters a portion of its schedule in which the Whip-Purs should be more competitive than they were in their first four matchups. Hampshire's first four opponents (Burlington Central, DeKalb, Grayslake Central, Cary-Grove) own a combined record of 12-4. Hampshire's next four opponents (Grayslake North, Johnsburg, Woodstock, Woodstock North) are 4-12 combined. “That's been our message all along to the kids — that we've played four very, very good teams,” Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh said. “And the kids have been great. It's hard when you don't get the W to show for it, but they've been working hard in practice. Our message is to do the things we do better every week.”

Grayslake North operates out of a spread offense but still runs the ball. Running back Andrew Soulis gained 111 yards on 23 carries last week in a win over Johnsburg. Quarterback A.J. Fish has thrown for over 450 yards. Hampshire will be strengthened in the trenches with the return of two-way lineman Dalton Ritchey (6-0, 210), who missed last week's game due to injury. Hampshire will play football on artificial turf for the first time since Cavanaugh coached the Whip-Purs to the Class 2A state title in 1995 on the artificial turf at Illinois State's Hancock Stadium.

Next: Johnsburg at Hampshire; Grayslake North at Woodstock

Walther Lutheran (1-3, 0-2) at St. Edward (3-1, 1-1)

When: today at 7 p.m. at Greg True Field

On the air: WRMN AM-1410 and streamed live at wrmn1410.com, announcers Jeff Myers and Kyle Bault

Last week: Marmion 38, St. Edward 6; Aurora Central Catholic 38, Walther Lutheran 12

Outlook: The St. Edward football team can choose from multiple uniforms this season — all-green and all-white among the options. But nothing gets the players charged up quite like blackout night, when the Green Wave emerge from their locker room dressed all in black from helmets to cleats. The special uniforms provide additional motivation on homecoming night for the Green Wave, who will face Walther Lutheran for the first time in a Suburban Christian Conference crossover.

The Broncos joined the SCC last season. This is the first of three straight home games for St. Edward, and it's a must win for their playoff hopes considering the Wave's final four opponents boast a combined record of 13-3. “The goal is to get to the playoffs and we have to have at least 5 wins to do that, so we have a lot riding on this one,” St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. “We didn't play our best game last Friday. We can play much better than we did. There will be a lot of excitement surrounding this game because of homecoming and the blackout. I hope the kids respond well to it.” It could be a prolific day for running backs Luke Duffy and Devontae Elam and quarterback Bob French. Walther Lutheran's defense has allowed 170 points, an average of 42.5 per game.

Next: Marian Central at St. Edward; Walther Lutheran at Aurora Christian