Scouting DuPage County football/Week 1
Daily Herald report
Addison Trail at West Chicago
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: The series wraps up with Addison Trail hoping to continue its dominance behind five sophomores, including quarterback Matt Gontarek, brought up to varsity. West Chicago welcomes new coach Bill Bicker, a former Wildcats assistant.
Conant at Lake Park
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Conant leads the series 3-2 after it won 19-14 last year. Lake Park senior receiver Kevin Teglia, in his fourth year of starting experience, didn’t play. How he and senior quarterback Zach Gehant connect will play a big role in the Lancers’ season.
Downers Grove South at South Elgin
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: Downers Grove South would much rather play this one Friday night — especially with Saturday’s expected heat. The Mustangs are rebuilding their offense, but there’s depth at quarterback highlighted by Benet transfer Mike Zebold.
Glenbard East at Willowbrook
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: This was the only win for either team last season, a game won by Glenbard East. The Rams look good on offense with quarterback Joe Kotch and receiver Malysha Flanders. Warriors running back Dom Battaglia is one of three third-year starters.
Glenbard South at Prairie Ridge
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: The Raiders had the “pleasure” of twice playing last year’s 6A champions in 2011. They’ll need to play great to win, a challenge that starts with two-way players Bret Curtis and Zach Smith. Quarterback Alex Jeske won a playoff game last year.
Leyden at Fenton
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Leyden’s tough with 14 returning starters, including the entire offensive line. Fenton needs to rebuild its entire pass-happy offense, although the new players are very familiar with the system. Receiver Randy Brezell could flash big numbers this year.
Lisle at Manteno
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: The Interstate Eight Small Division fared woefully against Large teams, such as Manteno’s 53-21 win over the Lions. Lisle’s skill-position athletes like Ryan Van Volkenburg and Dawon Burrell look to confound three-year quarterback Ryan Sample.
Lockport at Downers Grove North
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: This has been a tough matchup for Downers North, which desperately needs to get off to a good start on the season. Six-foot-six Trojans quarterback David Edwards is already an imposing force behind center despite only being a sophomore.
Montini at Palatine
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: In 2011 Montini gave 9-2 Palatine its only regular-season loss, 26-21. Playing against his alma mater, Broncos coach Chris Andriano and defensive coordinator Mike Bukovsky must figure a way to stop two-year starting quarterback Ethan Olles.
Noble Street Charter at Immaculate Conception
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: This first-time meeting against a Chicago Public League team that went 3-6 last season also is the head coaching debut of IC graduate Bill Krefft. It’ll also give tailback Sam Antes the opportunity to run some power ground game and gain confidence.
Plainfield East at Metea Valley
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: This is the rubber match in this thee-year opening series, Metea winning 38-27 last year. Cameron Wilcox ran for 215 yards with touchdowns of 58 and 33 yards. He’ll be a marked man, so other options must be explored by new quarterback Blaise Bell.
Rolling Meadows at York
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: This was beyond wild last year with Rolling Meadows winning 50-49. New York coach Steve Nye isn’t saying much about his offensive scheme, but the pass should be strong with quarterback Andrew Iwaszkiewicz and receiver Austin Wagner.
Romeoville at Hinsdale South
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Although the Hornets missed the playoffs at 5-4, this was a huge 22-20 win last year. The second year of the no-huddle spread should be much more fine tuned as senior quarterback D.J. Deolitsis enters his second season as a starter.
St. Charles North at Hinsdale Central
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Look for Hinsdale Central to make a statement with its offense. Quarterback Brian Owens, 6-foot-6 receiver Ian Bunting and running back Jack Adams pose a problem for defenses — especially with lineman Brian Allen moving to offense.
St. Francis at Riverside-Brookfield
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: St. Francis has won both meetings but the Bulldogs are getting closer, losing 20-14 after St. Francis won 34-7 in 2010. What should be an outstanding offensive line can give new quarterback Michael Robinson confidence as well as protection.
Washington at Benet
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Benedictine University
The quick hit: Expect the Redwings to immediately reverse last year’s fortunes with this one. Bolstered by an experienced line anchored by Ball State-bound Jarrid Lloyd, the offense will be in much better shape with sophomore quarterback Jack Beneventi.
Westminster Christian (Mo.) at Wheaton Academy
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday, Wheaton College
The quick hit: The series stands at 1-1 between these like-minded institutions. This is Wheaton Academy’s first game for new coach T.J. Ragan, a conditioning guru who wouldn’t have liked to have seen Westminster’s 13 unanswered second-half points via the run.