Football/Scouting Week 1 in the Fox Valley

Wheaton North (8-3) at Bartlett (7-3)

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

Last year: Wheaton North 26, Bartlett 24

Outlook: The Falcons won last year’s opener on quarterback Johnny Peltz’s 18-yard touchdown pass on the final play. Peltz and running back Patrick Sharp are the only offensive returnees for the DVC co-champs, but they combined for 3,327 yards and 33 touchdowns last year. Bartlett counters with Central Michigan-bound defensive end Chris Kantzavelos (6-4, 255), third-year middle linebacker Kevin Kirchhoff (5-10, 245) and a veteran secondary.

Next: Bartlett at Elgin; Geneva at Wheaton North

Downers Grove South (10-2) at South Elgin (4-5)

When: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at South Elgin athletic field

Last year: Downers Grove South 28, South Elgin 7

Outlook: The Mustangs graduated 13 players to the college football ranks, but 24th-year coach John Belskis returns three veterans in the secondary. Record-breaking running back Josh Smith graduated, but 6-7, 285-pound freshman Erik Swenson presents a new problem. South Elgin returns linebackers Chris Bingham (6-1, 210) and Nate Marotta (6-2, 200). Swift tailback/kick returner Jeff Broger debuts.

Next: Benet Academy at South Elgin; Lyons at Downers Grove South

Streamwood (6-4) at Hoffman Estates (0-9)

When: today at 7 p.m.

Last year: Streamwood 34, Hoffman Estates 17

Outlook: The schedule toughens for the Sabres this season. thus, a nonconference win in the season opener against a team that went 0-9 last year is a virtual must. Senior Blake Holder (NIU) leads a fast, experienced group of Streamwood receivers. Hoffman Estates aims for a revival under first-year coach Eric Ilich, Bartlett’s former offensive coordinator.

Next: Dundee-Crown at Streamwood; Elk Grove Village at Hoffman Estates

McHenry (4-5) at Larkin (3-6)

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

Last year: McHenry 19, Larkin 7

Outlook: McHenry has won 3 of 5 games against the Royals since this season-opening series began in 2007. A nonconference victory would go a long way to the playoff aspirations of both schools. Larkin senior running back Mo Jackson and junior quarterback Kemmerin Blalark lead the Larkin attack. New McHenry coach Dave D’Angelo seeks his first victory with the Warriors, led defensively by linebackers Matt Tenhagen (6-0, 210), Nate Rueckemann (6-2, 185) and Nick Bauer (5-10, 210).

Next: Larkin at West Chicago; Marian Central at McHenry

Elgin (1-8) at Dundee-Crown (0-9)

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

Last year: Elgin 34, Dundee-Crown 19

Outlook: Senior quarterback Garrett Ryan, senior safety Latrell Crenshaw and Dundee-Crown’s junior-heavy lineup aim to snap the program’s 26-game losing streak. Elgin enters the season opener with a thin roster, but junior quarterback Ryan Sitter and junior tailback Jaylen Clemons have starting experience.

Next: Bartlett at Elgin; Dundee-Crown at Streamwood

St. Charles East (3-6) at Cary-Grove (8-3)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Al Bohrer Field

Last year: Cary-Grove 28, St. Charles East 0

Outlook: Coach Mike Fields, third-year fullback/linebacker Joe Hoscheit and the Saints aim to get off on the right foot; they started 0-5 in 2010 and 2011. Cary-Grove quarterback Quinn Baker aims for back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Next: Lake Zurich at Cary-Grove; West Aurora at St. Charles East

Huntley (2-7) at Crystal Lake Central (6-4)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at Owen Metcalf Field

Last year: Crystal Lake Central 28, Huntley 6

Outlook: The John Hart era at Huntley begins with a tough Fox Valley Conference crossover on the road. The Red Raiders and their new coach must deal with 1,000-yard rusher Matt MacAlpine and the physical Tigers. Huntley quarterback Kam Sallee and returning all-FVC Valley rusher Ethan Connor lead the new offense.

Next: Kaneland at Huntley; Crystal Lake Central at Crystal Lake South

Crystal Lake South (10-2) at Marian Central (11-1)

When: today at 7 p.m. at George Harding Field

Last year: did not play

Outlook: A tantalizing nonconference meeting between a pair of McHenry County powers. The Hurricanes have state-title aspirations, fueled by the return of 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior quarterback Chris Streveler (Minnesota) and 6-6, 280-pound defensive end Chris Stirneman (Western Michigan). The two-time defending FVC Valley champion Gators are led offensively by senior, 6-foot-3, 260-pound tackle Boston Mathews (Toledo) and defensively by nose guard Nick Amren (6-2, 260), linebacker Brendan Chrystal (6-2, 215) and safety Brandon LaPak, who had 4 interceptions in 2011.

Next: Crystal Lake Central at Crystal Lake South; Marian Central at McHenry

Jacobs (7-3) at Marmion (5-5)

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

Last year: did not play

Outlook: A one-year contract brings together 2011 playoff qualifiers from the Fox Valley and Suburban Christian Conferences. Jacobs returns most of its defense, led by 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end Adam Kulon (Toledo), also an offensive tackle. Junior quarterback Brett Mooney (6-4, 210) debuts. Marmion, the Class 6A state runner-up in 2010, returns quarterback Charlie Faunce.

Next: Johnsburg at Jacobs; Marmion at Fenwick

St. Edward (4-5) at Genoa-Kingston (1-8)

When: today at 7 p.m. at Genoa Field

Last year: St. Edward 21, Genoa-Kingston 0

Outlook: The Green Wave gained the first of their 4 wins last season against the Cogs, but it wasn’t as easy as the final score indicates. “It was a 7-0 game until we pulled away late,” St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. “They have a lot of those guys coming back so I think they’ll be better.” St. Edward plans to run the ball with junior tailback Devonte Elam and junior fullback Will Bothwell.

Next week: Aurora Christian at St. Edward; Rockford Lutheran at Genoa-Kingston

Burlington Central (7-3) at Hampshire (1-8)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at Hampshire athletic field

Last year: Burlington Central 36, Hampshire 22

Outlook: Northern Kane County’s backyard rivals square off in a nonconference meeting. Central snapped a 7-game losing streak in season openers by topping the Whip-Purs last season. Hampshire has dropped 4 straight season openers. The Rockets have won 10 of the last 13 meetings in this series.

Next: Hampshire at DeKalb; Stillman Valley at Burlington Central