Scouting this weekend’s DuPage County football games
By Kevin Schmit and David Oberhelman
kschmit@dailyherald.com
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
Benet (2-0, 0-0) at St. Patrick (1-1, 1-0) East Suburban Catholic Conference
Game time: 11 a.m. Saturday at Hansen Stadium in Chicago.
Last week: Benet 35, South Elgin 21; St. Patrick 40, Notre Dame 21.
Last year: St. Patrick 27, Benet 9.
Outlook: A nice little rivalry is developing between the junior classes of both schools. Benet’s juniors, which went 16-2 at the lower levels, lost their first game to St. Patrick as sophomores as the Shamrocks went on to win the ESCC title. Beyond rivalries, though, the Redwings simply want a 3-0 start for the first time since 1986. Benet’s experienced defense continues to control games from the front line anchored by Charles Melka, Steve Hubona, Steve Tyznik and Nick Surges. They’ll need to slow Shamrocks quarterback Octavio Renteria after he threw and ran for more than 100 yards last week. Redwings coach Pat New loves his skill players, starting with sophomore quarterback Jack Beneventi. Running backs Porter Ontko and Nick McTarnaghan, receivers Jack Toner and Jack Euritt, and Surges, the tight end, offer numerous matchup problems for St. Patrick’s defense. Last week Euritt and lineman Jarrid Lloyd returned to the lineup after missing the opener.
Next week: Rich Central at Benet; St. Patrick at Marist.
Immaculate Conception (2-0, 1-0) at Aurora Central Catholic (2-0, 0-0)
Suburban Christian Gold
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Immaculate Conception 39, Wheaton Academy 6; Aurora Central Catholic 42, Oostburg, Wis. 12.
Last year: Immaculate Conception 41, Aurora Central Catholic 0.
Outlook: Only Week 3 and this could stand as the SCC Gold championship game. Seeking greater offensive balance than last season, Chargers coach Brian Casey is pleased with his double-wing offense featuring Steven Amoni, who has run for 371 yards and 5 touchdowns, fellow tailback Brian Bohr and two quarterbacks he’s comfortable with, Drake Riedy and Matt Rahn. Linebacker Steve Belovich leads with 31 tackles and defensive tackle Izzy Rosa has 8 tackles for loss. Tackling will be key for the Chargers, particularly tackling Knights quarterback Demetrius Carr, who broke a draw 71 yards to open last year’s scoring. Sam Antes, Danny D’Angelo and Randy Leslie also have run for more than 100 yards, but ACC can’t get lulled to sleep by the veer when receiver Tim Hipskind averages 28 yards a catch. IC’s lopsided 2011 win was aided by an interception and fumble recovery on two of ACC’s first three possessions. As IC coach Bill Krefft said: “Few mistakes, play as a group, hit the details.”
Next week: St. Edward at Immaculate Conception; Aurora Central Catholic at Chicago Christian.
Lyons Twp. (1-1, 0-0) at Glenbard West (2-0, 0-0) West Suburban Silver
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Lyons Twp. 38, Downers South 7; Glenbard West 49, Willowbrook 7.
Last year: Glenbard West 31, Lyons Twp. 3.
Outlook: A blooming rivalry continues at Duchon Field as both teams try to grab an early inside track on the Silver title. The key for Glenbard West is slowing Northwestern-bound receiver Matt Harris, who also needs to be accounted for on defense and on special teams. Harris, who last week caught 3 touchdown passes and scored a fourth touchdown on a punt return, will have trouble catching the ball if quarterback Zachary Mahoney can’t get it to him. The Hilltoppers have 13 sacks in two games, adding 7 sacks and 3 interceptions last week. Nathan Marcus, who had 7 catches for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns, has been a terror coming off the edge opposite standout defensive end Ruben Dunbar. Joe Zito, Scott Andrews and Devante Toney offer a formidable run game for Glenbard West, but the Lions better keep an extra eye on quarterback Henry Haeffner. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 153 yards with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions.
Next week: Downers North at Lyons Twp.; Glenbard West at Hinsdale Central.
Neuqua Valley (2-0, 0-0) at South Elgin (1-1, 0-0) Upstate Eight Valley
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Neuqua Valley 41, Naperville Central 28; Benet 35, South Elgin 21.
Last year: Neuqua Valley 35, South Elgin 21.
Outlook: Neuqua cannot let down after last week’s emotional win. South Elgin coach Dale Schabert, whose team beat Downers Grove South 48-35 in Week 1, lost tailback-defensive back Jeff Broger, an all-state sprinter, to a hamstring strain against Benet. Schabert has said Broger will return against Neuqua. Without him last week Storm quarterback Rob Cuda went to the air 52 times with 26 completions and 14 of them to 6-foot-3 receiver Joe Crivolio. While hard-hitting Neuqua defensive backs like Dennis Thurow and Spencer Donahue line up Crivolio, South Elgin linebackers Nate Marotta and Chris Bingham have the primary responsibility of stopping Wildcats tailback Joey Rhattigan, who has run for 418 yards and 5 touchdowns. Keeping the Storm honest will be the combination of quarterback Dylan Andrew and receiver Mikey Dudek, timed at 4.40 in the 40 at Illinois. “We hope that we can grind it out a little bit,” said Neuqua coach Bill Ellinghaus.
Next week: Neuqua Valley at St. Charles East; South Elgin at East Aurora.
Wheaton North (2-0, 0-0) at Naperville North (1-1, 0-0) DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Wheaton North 34, Geneva 7; Naperville North 34, Thornton 20.
Last year: Wheaton North 24, Naperville North 13.
Outlook: Naperville North’s offensive line, led by Iowa-bound tackle Colin Goebel, powered another dominant performance last week. The Huskies rushed for 395 yards without attempting a pass other than one negated by penalty. Wheaton North defensive ends Jonathan Chapman and Kellen Cleveland are tasked with slowing running backs DeSean Brown, Kendall Veluvolu, Sharad Crosby and quarterback Johnny Brown. The bigger key for the Falcons may be their offensive line trying to slow Naperville North’s defensive line after Zac Martin notched 3 sacks last week. With an all-DVC backfield of quarterback Johnny Peltz and running back Patrick Sharp, Wheaton North’s offense is humming. Add in receivers Matt Biegalski and Clayton Thorson and tight end Tom Colletti, and the Huskies’ defense has its hands full. As long as it keeps working, Falcons coach Joe Wardynski says Peltz and Thorson will continue splitting time between quarterback and receiver.
Next week: West Chicago at Wheaton North; Naperville North at WW South.
Addison Trail (1-1, 0-0) at Leyden (1-1, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Both offenses are struggling heading into their West Suburban Gold openers. The contrasts are obvious. While Addison Trail is learning on the fly with a large group of sophomores, Leyden may have the Gold’s most experienced team.
Chicago Christian (1-1, 0-0) at St. Francis (2-0, 0-0)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at College of DuPage.
The quick hit: Receiver Andrew Brundage emerged as a big-play man with 2 touchdown catches in St. Francis’ 28-21 win over Vernon Hills. The Spartans’ feisty Alex Alcantara, John Vargyas and Jack Rowan will give SCC foe Chicago Christian all sorts of trouble.
Downers South (1-1, 0-0) at Morton (1-1, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Starting five sophomores and a freshman, the growing pains have been glaring for Downers South, which managed 7 points despite 300-plus yards against Lyons. Mustangs coach John Belskis kicked it up in practice to help foster a turnaround.
Fenton (1-1) at Rich South (0-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Pass-happy Fenton saw running back Randy Brezell carry the ball 26 times for over 100 yards last week. It gives defenses an awful lot to think about considering receiver Alex Cowan snagged 197 receiving yards from quarterback Willie Wassmann.
Glenbard North (1-1, 0-0) at West Chicago (0-2, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Which team will do a better job stopping the run? West Chicago will have its hands full trying to slow the Panthers’ Justin Jackson, who rushed for 160 yards last week. West Chicago’s Miguel Flores emerged with a 150-yard ground effort.
Glenbard South (1-1) at Rich East (2-0)
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: Raiders coach Jeremy Cordell can’t say enough about senior outside linebacker Bret Curtis, an all-Metro Suburban Conference performer last season. In last week’s win over Bloom, Curtis had 12 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 sacks and forced a fumble.
Hinsdale Central (2-0, 0-0) at Proviso West (2-0, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: After two straight losses to the Panthers, Hinsdale Central will be fired up in its quest for an early leg up in the West Suburban Silver. Jack Adams rushed for 189 yards in last week’s win, following 198 passing yards from Brian Owens in Week 1.
Metea Valley (1-1, 0-0) at Lake Park (1-1, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Defense and turnovers will decide this Upstate Eight Valley tilt. Lake Park’s young defense can’t let Metea’s Cam Wilcox add much to his 245 yards rushing. On the other side, Lake Park receiver Kevin Teglia already has 239 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Naperville Central (0-2, 0-0) at Glenbard East (0-2, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Naperville Central gets a boost on offense with the return of receivers Ben Andreas, the team’s fastest player, and Lasoda Thompson in addition to DB Ryan Avers. Offensive lineman Josh Sullivan will see his first action of the season for the Rams.
Oak Park (2-0, 0-0) at Downers North (2-0, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: One team will come out of this as a legitimate threat in the West Suburban Silver. Huskies running back Jakari Cammon faces Downers North run-stopper Vontae Diggs. The Trojans have a two-head running attack with Kyle Leto and Brandon Salter.
Proviso East (0-2, 0-0) at Hinsdale South (2-0, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Hinsdale South’s no-huddle offense will put pressure on Proviso East’s many two-way players. The Hornets’ inexperienced secondary passed a big test in last week’s win over York. Junior Arian Toney rushed for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Seneca (0-2, 0-0) at Lisle (1-1, 0-0)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday at Benedictine University.
The quick hit: Something “clicked” in Lisle’s 27-17 rally past Herscher, said Lions coach Dan Sanko. Perhaps it was the sound of quarterback Nick Saul hitting Dawon Burrell with 3 touchdown passes. They’ll recall Seneca’s own 27-17 victory last season.
Waubonsie Valley (2-0) at Streamwood (1-1)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: Waubonsie tailback Austin Guido is quick out of the gate with 491 yards, 6 touchdowns. Dylan Warden has completed 17 of 26 passes for 277 yards, 4 touchdowns. Throw in Warriors tight end Troy Fumagalli and the Sabres will have their hands full.
Wheaton Academy (0-2, 0-0) at Montini (1-1, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Wheaton Academy’s John Gemmel, Nate Lopez and Matt Lindsay definitely are game, but many two-way starters go up against the three-time state champions. Montini may lack as many as four ailing starters, but on the line it’s healthy and huge.
WW South (0-2, 0-0) at West Aurora (1-1, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: WW South struggled in this one last year after starting 0-2. The Tigers can’t afford that this time. Quarterback Ryan Graham is starting to find big-play receiver Corey Davis. The Tigers would love to see some explosion plays between the two.
Willowbrook (1-1) at York (0-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: This might be a long one. While quarterback Andrew Iwaszkiewicz and receiver Austin Wagner power York’s passing game, Willowbrook quarterback Brian Johnson, who’s thrown for 522 yards, keeps the chains moving for the Warriors.