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Scouting this weekend’s DuPage County football games

By Kevin Schmit and David Oberhelman

kschmit@dailyherald.com

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Benet (1-0) at South Elgin (1-0)

Nonconference

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

Last week: Benet 62, Washington 0; South Elgin 48, Downers Grove South 35.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: Big offensive numbers by both teams last week. Benet, in fact, scored more points in one game than it did all of last season. Of all the matchups, though, South Elgin’s offense against Benet’s defense is most intriguing. Against Washington, Benet coach Pat New felt his front seven was important. This week, he’s counting on the back seven with the way South Elgin’s offense can test the Redwings with the pass — Robert Cuda threw 4 touchdowns — and speedy running back Jeff Broger. That doesn’t mean, however, that Benet won’t be counting on its defensive front, featuring Charles Melka, Steve Tyznik and Steve Hubona, to create quarterback pressure like last week. Offensively, Benet’s already shown major strides from last year. Six-foot-six sophomore quarterback Jack Beneventi threw a touchdown on his first pass attempt and completed his first five passes. Porter Ontko and Nick McTarnaghan balance out the offense on the ground, presenting a diverse challenge to the Storm.

Next week: Benet at St. Patrick; Neuqua Valley at South Elgin.

Geneva (0-1) at Wheaton North (1-0)

Nonconference

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

Last week: Oswego 47, Geneva 21; Wheaton North 49, Bartlett 0.

Last year: Geneva 33, Wheaton North 24.

Outlook: You can probably count on one thing — Geneva will not lose six fumbles again this season, as it did against Oswego. The Vikings squandered tailback Bobby Hess’ 4-yard touchdown run to open the scoring, allowing 47 unanswered points via turnovers. Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said a key to their success will be ball possession with Hess, sophomore quarterback Daniel Santacaterina and an offensive line featuring three-year starters Jacob Bastin and Connor Chapman. Wheaton North coach Joe Wardynski was worried about his inexperienced offense heading into the season, but those worries were eased last week. Returning quarterback Johnny Peltz and running back Patrick Sharp did their thing, while a new offensive line matured and receivers Matt Biegalski and Clayton Thorson showed their potential. The Falcons knew they could count on defensive ends Kellen Cleveland and Jonathan Chapman. Nose man Kaelen Bradford emerged against Bartlett.

Next week: Geneva at Batavia; Wheaton North at Naperville North.

Lincoln-Way East (1-0) at Montini (1-0)

Nonconference

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

Last week: Lincoln-Way East 31, Carmel 6; Montini 40, Palatine 37 (OT).

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: “The longer I hang around the harder it gets,” Montini coach Chris Andriano said of a schedule that includes Lincoln-Way East, which in 2011 went 10-0 before losing to Wheaton Warrenville South in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs. Montini won its opener thanks to Andrew Harte’s overtime field goal and linebacker Mike Maduko’s interception. Lincoln-Way East quarterback Tom Fuessel threw for a 61-yard touchdown and ran 54 yards for another. Andriano said the Northern Illinois recruit is a beast on his feet, yet the Broncos’ pass defense must shore up after Palatine threw for 313 yards. Injuries to receiver Joey Borsellino (knee) and running back Dimitri Taylor (calf) will provide opportunities to receivers Mark Gorogianis, Tyler Tumpane, Connor Costello, Mike Dusek and perhaps sophomore Leon Thornton. “We’ll probably be without those two guys and the other guys are going to have to step up,” Andriano said.

Next week: Lincoln-Way East at Lockport; Wheaton Academy at Montini.

Maine South (1-0) at Wheaton Warrenville South (0-1) Nonconference

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

Last week: Maine South 28, Warren 14; Glenbard West 28, WW South 7.

Last year: Maine South 13, WW South 9.

Outlook: It’s out of the frying pan and into the fire for the Tigers who, after playing the top-ranked team in 7A, now plays the No. 3 team in 8A. The challenge of stopping the run is similar, although WW South coach Ron Muhitch believes Maine South’s offensive line might be better than Glenbard West’s. The Hawks’ Clay Burdelik, Anthony Mitchell and Northwestern-bound quarterback Matt Alviti combined for more than 200 rushing yards. Alviti added nearly 200 passing yards, but Muhitch is most concerned about stopping the run. The Tigers will shift its defensive line to put Dan Chism and Hollis Henry on the inside to create pressure up the middle. WW South has a bunch of work to do on offense in trying to get speedy receivers Corey Davis and Brandon Moore involved more. The Tigers were able to sustain many drives last week, but finishing was much more difficult. Muhitch stressed that quarterback Ryan Graham can’t be the team’s leading rusher again.

Next week: Deerfield at Maine South; WW South at West Aurora.

Naperville Central (0-1) at Neuqua Valley (1-0)

Nonconference

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

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 34, Naperville Central 14; Neuqua Valley 43, Naperville North 20.

Last year: Naperville Central 28, Neuqua Valley 14.

Outlook: One glaring stat from Naperville Central’s loss to Waubonsie Valley? The Warriors ran 70 offensive plays compared to the Redhawks’ 43. The Redhawks need to establish the run with running back Nick Thomas, but last week’s quick deficit necessitated more passing from quarterback Jake Kolbe. Ends Cody Campbell and Luke Roth will lead a defense that must slow Neuqua Valley’s offense after it showed it’s much more than just running back Joey Rhattigan. Now in its 15th season, Neuqua Valley has never started 2-0. Coach Bill Ellinghaus said simply “no letdown” is a key. The goal is to again spread the ball around between backs T.J. Scruggs and Rhattigan, who ran for 165 yards, 2 touchdowns, receivers Mikey Dudek and Jeff Evak, and maintain quarterback Dylan Andrew’s hot hand — 12 of 14 last week for 199 yards. A defense led by linebacker Sam Norgaard and defense end Tyler Speich allowed 423 yards to Naperville North but limited the damage.

Next week: Naperville Central at Glenbard East; Neuqua Valley at South Elgin.

The Rest of the Best

Bloom Twp. (1-0) at Glenbard South (0-1)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Raiders more than held their own in a 7-point loss to defending 6A champion Prairie Ridge. The offense looked in midseason form as Alex Jeske threw for 266 yards and Zach Smith scored 3 touchdowns and accounted for 112 total yards.

Downers North (1-0) at Morton (1-0)

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

The quick hit: The Trojans and sophomore quarterback David Edwards broke a three-game losing streak to Lockport with a dominant running game that outgained the Porters 3-to-1. It was the program’s first season-opening win since 2005.

Fenton (0-1) at Maine West (1-0)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: After surrendering turnovers that led to two short fields and 2 touchdowns, Fenton must take better care of the ball. It’ll help the Bison take better advantage of sophomore playmakers Willie Wassmann and receivers Cody Quarles and Alex Williams.

Glenbard North (0-1) at Carmel (0-1)

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

The quick hit: Not much wrong with Glenbard North’s offense after a 41-point performance, but the Panthers need to shore up the defense after allowing 42. The challenge is stopping Carmel’s option game — an offense not seen too often in the DuPage Valley.

Glenbard West (1-0) at Willowbrook (1-0)

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

The quick hit: Glenbard West’s depth will be tested after losing linebackers Erik Strittmater and A.J. Della Polla to injury. Contrell Silmon, Tyler Dayton and others need to slow Willowbrook’s passing game that accounted for 400 yards from QB Brian Johnson.

Herscher (1-0) at Lisle (0-1)

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

The quick hit: In 2011 Lisle’s 20-14 win over Herscher was one of two Interstate Eight Small Division wins over Large teams. Lisle has to run the ball, but Cliff Krause and Dawon Burrell, respectively, had 158 and 108 yards receiving in a 34-22 loss to Manteno.

Hinsdale Central (1-0) at Leyden (1-0)

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

The quick hit: Two of the more experienced teams in the West Suburban Conference meet in this crossover. Both teams pitched shutouts last week, but it’ll be tough for Leyden to slow down Red Devils quarterback Brian Owens and running back Jack Adams.

Lake Park (0-1) at Glenbard East (0-1)

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

The quick hit: Help’s on the way for the Rams in the form of returning WR Mike Kjeldsen, LB Matt Chlebek and maybe safety Tom Lyons. They’ll meet Lake Park WR Kevin Teglia and LB Ronnie Castaldo. Defensively, the Lancers gave up 502 yards to Conant.

Larkin (0-1) at West Chicago (0-1)

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

The quick hit: West Chicago may not have beaten Addison Trail, but the Wildcats showed plenty of aggressiveness capped by the decision to go for a 2-point conversion in double overtime. Hunter Cerny snared 3 interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown.

Lyons Twp. (0-1) at Downers South (0-1)

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

The quick hit: The Mustangs surely aren’t happy about allowing 48 points in a loss to South Elgin, but it’s clear they have some playmakers. Kaylon Miller had more than 200 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, including an 84-yard kick return for a score.

Metea Valley (1-0) at Glenbrook South (1-0)

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

The quick hit: A step up for the visiting Wildcats after playing Quincy. They’ll pressure the Titans with RB Cameron Wilcox, who ran 36 times for 172 yards in the win over Plainfield East. If it’s close look for kicker Nick Dodson, who converted 3 field goals.

Naperville North (0-1) at Thornton (1-0)

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: A lot of fixable mistakes by the Huskies in Week 1. Uncharacteristic fumbles for one. The offensive line led by Colin Goebel is as good as advertised. Thornton’s got one of the state’s top defensive backs in uncommitted safety Jalen Banks.

Proviso West (1-0) at Addison Trail (1-0)

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

The quick hit: After surviving six turnovers to beat West Chicago, Addison Trail’s big batch of sophomores is growing up fast. Senior Alex Glowacki, normally a defensive starter, earned a starting running back spot following his 3-touchdown performance.

Vernon Hills (1-0) at St. Francis (1-0)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Spartans beat Vernon Hills 22-21 last year; last week they hammered Riverside-Brookfield, 57-12. Sophomore T.J. Jackson ran for 135 yards and 3 TDs, among 297 yards rushing. Conor Bolin, Dan Beck and Tom Gitchell each picked off passes.

Waubonsie Valley (1-0) at Oswego (1-0)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Waubonsie RB Austin Guido had 151 yards, 3 TDs in last year’s 34-14 win over Oswego. In the Warriors’ 34-14 opening win over Naperville Central he ran 38 times for 278 yards, 2 TDs. QB Dylan Warden, 10-of-13 passing, will keep Oswego honest.

Wheaton Academy (0-1) at Immaculate Conception (1-0)

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: Wheaton led their game 19-10 when RB-LB John Gemmel left with a cramp. The Warriors lost 37-19. Coincidence? He’ll be back to test a Knights team, led by QB Demetrius Carr and DB-WR Cody Baker, that pounded Noble Street Charter 77-6.

York (0-1) at Hinsdale South (1-0)

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

The quick hit: A study of opposites last week. Hinsdale South’s experienced group headed by quarterback D.J. Deolitsis had a 4-0 turnover advantage while York’s youngster’s struggled. A shoulder injury to senior running back-safety Jordan Peacock doesn’t help.

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