Scouting this weekend’s DuPage County football games
By Kevin Schmit and Dave Oberhelman
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
Wheaton Warrenville South at Glenbard West
Nonconference
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last year: Glenbard West 21, WW South 7.
Outlook: Beyond finding out who might be the early favorite for the Class 7A title, we’ll also learn some pretty important stuff about each side. Just how good is Glenbard West’s offense and just how varsity ready is the Tigers’ defense with 11 new starters? A good indication will come with the line play. Nick Garland’s back for a third year for the Hilltoppers while Hollis Henry, an offensive line starter last year, is moving to WW South’s defense. Glenbard West junior running back-receiver Scott Andrews is poised for instant impact. We’ll also get an early peak at quarterback Henry Haeffner’s connection with 6-foot-5 Vanderbilt-bound receiver Nathan Marcus. Four returning starters rest on WW South’s offensive line, and they’ll need the experience to slow explosive Hilltoppers end Ruben Dunbar. Ryan Graham takes over at quarterback and has two tremendous receiving options in Corey Davis and Brandon Moore. Glenbard West’s secondary has one of the best in Hayden Carlson.
Next week: Maine South at WW South; Glenbard West at Willowbrook.
Naperville Central at Waubonsie Valley
Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Waubonsie Valley 21, Naperville Central 7.
Outlook: All eyes will be on the varsity debut of 6-foot-4 junior quarterback Jake Kolbe, who will reverse the Redhawks’ offensive tendencies quite a bit from last season’s run-heavy schemes. Receivers Blake Butler and Lasoda Thompson will be focal points as much as new starting running back Nick Thomas, who coach Mike Stine believes would have started for many DuPage Valley teams last year. Waubonsie Valley’s all-new offensive line will be tested by the Redhawks and returning linemen Cody Campbell and Ryan Berg, but if they can open any daylight at all third-year varsity back Austin Guido should capitalize. He ran for 60 yards and a touchdown in last year’s opener. Warriors dual-threat quarterback Dylan Warden had not yet assumed control, the graduated Mitch Stefani instead shredding the Redhawks for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns, both to returning tight end Troy Fumagalli. The Warriors survived 120 yards of penalties.
Next week: Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley; Waubonsie Valley at Oswego.
Neuqua Valley at Naperville North
Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Neuqua Valley 37, Naperville North 23.
Outlook: This season-opening series stands at 5-2, Naperville North, with Neuqua Valley snapping a five-game skid last season. The Wildcats did so on returning tailback Joey Rhattigan’s sweet 167 yards and 4 touchdowns on runs of 40, 1, 3 and 5 yards. Expect more of the same, but also first-year head coach Bill Ellinghaus will want to get new starting quarterback Dylan Andrew up to speed. Neuqua Valley would love to equal last year’s 492 yards of offense and spring return man Jeff Evak for a long one. Naperville North defensive linemen Ryan Wilson, Pat Mollo and Zac Martin must slow Rhattigan before he sees daylight. The offensive line could be dominant with Iowa-bound Colin Goebel and Ben Obriecht among four returning starters. The ground game is diverse with quarterback Johnny Brown and running backs DeSean Brown, a slasher, and Kendall Veluvolu, a power runner. With both sides looking to run extensively, the obvious key is controlling the line of scrimmage.
Next week: Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley; Naperville North at Thornton.
Wheaton North at Bartlett
Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Wheaton North 26, Bartlett 24.
Outlook: Wheaton North coach Joe Wardynski expects his team to lean on its experienced defense early in the year, but the Falcons return two huge offensive pieces in quarterback Johnny Peltz, who threw for 2,000 yards last year, and running back Patrick Sharp, who rushed for 900. The Falcons replace their entire line and all four receivers, but Clayton Thorson and Matt Biegalski have looked good. The strength of Wheaton North’s defense is up front with Kellen Cleveland and Jonathan Chapman. Bartlett has consistently been the most physical team in the Upstate Eight. Following the graduation of three-year quarterback A.J. Bilyeu, coach Tom Meaney’s squad may be expected to veer back to its more punishing roots. While Bartlett lost 700-yard rusher James Butler to a transfer, track sprinter Aaron Everson ran for 291 yards on just 44 carries in 2011. Third-year linebacker Kevin Kirchhoff is back, as is Central Michigan-bound defensive end Chris Kantzavelos.
Next week: Geneva at Wheaton North; Bartlett at Elgin.
Batavia at Glenbard North
Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: Though it’s a step up in class for Batavia, this meeting just seems natural. The Bulldogs graduated loads of talent off its 12-1 Class 6A semifinalist but return a lot. Defensive end Marquise Jenkins had 30 quarterback hurries as a junior in 2011, and linebacker-running back Austin Thielk and Michael Moffatt are a handful. Ben Link, Sebastian Vermaas and Adam Hunger all return on the offensive line, and after graduating three-year starting quarterback Noel Gaspari the evaluation between senior Dan Albrecht and junior Micah Coffey may continue. Glenbard North enters as an 8A contender, but the Panthers will have their hands full with Batavia. There’s no question they’ll lean on standout junior running back Justin Jackson, who last season rushed for 741 and 7 scores last year. The way the Bulldogs traditionally throw the ball, Jackson will be just as important in the Panthers’ secondary. Look for quarterback Brian Murphy to expand Glenbard North’s passing game.
Next week: Plainfield East at Batavia; Glenbard North at Carmel.