Scouting this weekend’s DuPage County football games
By Kevin Schmit and David Oberhelman
kschmit@dailyherald.com
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
Crete-Monee (3-0) at Glenbard South (2-1)
Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Crete-Monee 34, Moline 2; Glenbard South 38, Rich East 14.
Last year: Crete-Monee 64, Glenbard South 13.
Outlook: Just looking at last year’s score shows the challenge facing Glenbard South. Crete-Monee is the top-ranked team in the Associated Press Class 6A poll after last season’s 10-0 start to the season. The team talent is clear with the Warriors, and the individual talent is top-notch. It starts with receiver-defensive back LaQuon Treadwell, regarded as the state’s top uncommitted senior. Fellow receiver Lance Lenoir is just as dangerous in the spread offense. No doubt Glenbard South’s defense has its hands full, but linebackers Bret Curtis and Matt Loos have been rock solid through three games. Offensively, the Raiders must present their own challenge to a Crete-Monee defense that has allowed only 16 points so far this season. Junior quarterback Alex Jeske is coming off his best game after completing 21 of 29 passes for 304 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Clark Gary, Zach Smith and Justin Gjerazi each have double-digit catches. Gary snagged 11 catches for 192 yards last week.
Next week: Kankakee at Crete-Monee; Glenbard South at Elmwood Park.
Glenbard West (3-0, 1-0) at Hinsdale Central (3-0, 1-0)
West Suburban Silver
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Glenbard West 49, Lyons Twp. 7; Hinsdale Central 34, Proviso West 25.
Last year: Glenbard West 45, Hinsdale Central 14.
Outlook: Recent history has not been kind to Hinsdale Central in this matchup. The Red Devils seek their first win since 2006, which also was the last time they started 3-0. Hinsdale Central boasts a pick-your-poison offense led by quarterback Brian Owens, who has thrown for 578 yards. His main target is 6-foot-6 junior receiver Ian Bunting, who has 10 catches for 305 yards. The Red Devils also offer a running threat with Jack Adams. Glenbard West definitely is living up to its “Hitters” reputation. Hayden Carlson is among the area’s top defensive backs, while lineman Ruben Dunbar leads the quarterback pressure. The Hilltoppers’ pressure really steps up when Nick Garland and Nathan Marcus shift from offense. Can Hinsdale Central’s Andrew Pyle-led defense thwart Glenbard West’s running game of Joe Zito, Scott Andrews and others? The Red Devils can’t afford to fall asleep on the pass or quarterback Henry Haeffner and Marcus will pick them apart short and long.
Next week: Oak Park at Glenbard West; Hinsdale Central at Lyons Twp.
Lake Park (2-1, 1-0) at Waubonsie Valley (3-0, 0-0)
Upstate Eight Valley
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Lake Park 35, Metea Valley 23; Waubonsie Valley 56, Streamwood 0.
Last year: Waubonsie Valley 54, Lake Park 7.
Outlook: Lake Park aims to stake its UEC Valley claim. The Lancers are averaging 36 points behind quarterback Zach Gehant, running back Curtwan Evans and receiver Kevin Teglia, who has caught 17 passes for 385 yards and 8 touchdowns. They’ll need more big plays while others like receiver Scott Filip and back Zach Thomson look to increase their roles. Tackles leader Ronnie Castaldo, fellow linebacker Niko Daniello and defensive lineman Craig Ryan, who has 4 sacks, must limit Waubonsie’s explosive offense. Helping the Warriors go 3-0 for the first time since 1994, tailback Austin Guido ran for 4 touchdowns to bump his total to 10 on 621 yards rushing behind lead blockers Demario Webb and Austin Lacke. Facing Lake Park’s base 4-3 defense, quarterback Dylan Warden hopes to continue making strong option reads. A fast defense led by Lacke, safety Jeff Markham, linebackers Hugh Griffin and Jake Bennema forced 6 turnovers, which would spell doom for Lake Park.
Next week: Batavia at Lake Park; Waubonsie Valley at Bartlett.
Montini (2-1, 1-0) at St. Francis (3-0, 1-0)
Suburban Christian Blue
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at College of DuPage.
Last week: Montini 35, Wheaton Academy 0; St. Francis 49, Chicago Christian 0.
Last year: Montini 33, St. Francis 14.
Outlook: Montini has been banged up, but quarterback Alex Wills, receiver Mark Gorogianis and running back Dimitri Taylor all should return. Key receiver Joey Borsellino (knee) and tight end Matt Brachmann (ankle) are doubtful. Tucker Mucha filled in nicely for Taylor with 318 yards rushing while Mike Dusek helps fill Borsellino’s role in the spread offense. Broncos defensive linemen Fred Beaugard, Dylan Thompson, Edgar Ruano and Liam Kennedy are needed to penetrate St. Francis’ offensive line. The Spartans ran for 366 yards a week ago; T.J. Jackson’s 105 yards led 11 St. Francis ball carriers in the wipeout. Linemen Josh Croci, Robert Dwyer, James Kalfas, Alex Napoli, Kyle Bosch and Co. bring experience, size and agility. The passing combo of Michael Robinson to Andrew Brundage has been a nice surprise and lends balance, but St. Francis earns its pay on the ground. “If they outmuscle us up front they’ll control the clock and the game,” said Montini coach Chris Andriano.
Next week: Marmion at Montini; St. Francis at Aurora Christian.
Naperville North (1-2, 0-1) at WW South (1-2, 1-0)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Wheaton North 21, Naperville North 7; WW South 14, West Aurora 7.
Last year: Naperville North 17, WW South 14.
Outlook: Here we are again with both of these teams facing a 1-3 start and a major uphill battle just to reach the playoffs. WW South is injury-riddled on both sides of the ball but especially on defense. Last week the Tigers were without five defensive starters and both starting running backs. The good news is that running backs Brandon Adams and Jesse Padalik both should return to the lineup for this one and help take pressure off quarterback Ryan Graham, who continues to lead the team in rushing yards. The experienced offensive line needs to keep Zac Martin and the Huskies’ defensive line at bay. On the other side of the ball, it’s all about Naperville North’s offensive line plowing holes for Kendall Veluvolu, DeSean Brown, Rashad Crosby and quarterback Johnny Brown. Down two defensive linemen to injury, the Tigers need playmakers to emerge. Kevin Giltz is stepping up in the secondary. He snared 2 interceptions last week and is also extremely dangerous on punt returns.
Next week: Naperville North at West Chicago; WW South at Naperville Central.
Aurora Christian (3-0, 1-0) at Wheaton Academy (0-3, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at West Chicago High School.
The quick hit: The Warriors drew kudos after trailing Montini 8-0 at halftime. Here’s another defending state champion running the spread. Free safety Matt Lindsay has 3 interceptions and could add another if defensive lineman Taylor Johnson can get a rush on.
Bartlett (2-1, 1-0) at Metea Valley (1-2, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Out of Metea’s hurry-up offense Cameron Wilcox ran for 158 yards against Lake Park and receiver Alex Hagemaster caught 6 passes for 143 yards, but a 33-9 hole was too deep. Not committing 4 turnovers will improve the Mustangs’ prospects.
Bloom Twp. (2-1) at Fenton (1-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Fenton’s nine sophomores are growing up fast and defensive end Matt Lucas is a prime example. Fenton coach Mark Kos says teams are purposely running away from him. Offensively, the Bison have to keep the heat off quarterback Willie Wassmann.
Downers Grove North (3-0, 1-0) at Lyons Twp. (1-2, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Slowing the Lions’ potent passing duo of quarterback Zach Mahoney and Northwestern-bound receiver Matt Harris is the primary goal for Downers North. Mahoney is an elusive target for Trojans defensive standouts Vontae Diggs and Zach Dutcher.
Glenbard East (0-3, 0-1) at Glenbard North (2-1, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Glenbard East quarterback Joe Kotch threw the ball 50 times last week while Glenbard North ran it 36 times and was paced by Justin Jackson’s 76 yards and Brian Murphy’s 62. The Panthers’ defense is coming around after opening-game struggles.
Hinsdale South (3-0, 1-0) at Addison Trail (1-2, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Blazers coach Paul Parpet says quarterback Matt Gontarek is out three weeks with a hairline ankle fracture, pushing defensive back John Taylor behind center. Dual-threat Hinsdale South quarterback D.J. Deolitsis has more than 600 total yards.
Leyden (2-1, 1-0) at Downers Grove South (1-2, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: A win would make the Eagles a serious West Suburban Gold contender. Downers South finally looked like the Mustangs of old last week with a dominant win over Morton. Quarterback Mike Zebold threw 4 touchdown passes.
Lisle (1-2, 0-1) at Reed-Custer (1-2, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: “Just win, baby,” is Lisle coach Dan Sanko’s mantra after the Lions squandered a fourth-quarter lead in a 14-13 loss to Seneca. Sanko called junior linebacker Kevin Coppin “the epitome of consistency” after making 9 solo tackles last week.
Morton (1-2, 0-1) at Willowbrook (2-1, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Warriors coach Nick Hildreth is thinking one game at a time, but another win will have fans in Villa Park thinking about the playoffs. Third-year starter Dom Battaglia does everything asked of him. Last week he led the defense with 14 tackles.
Neuqua Valley (3-0, 1-0) at St. Charles East (2-1, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: In this Upstate Eight Conference crossover, St. Charles East is an improved club. Neuqua safety Spencer Donahue, cornerback Ernie Edwards will be on the lookout for the Saints passing combo of Jimmy Mitchell to Brannon Barry.
Rich Central (2-1) at Benet (2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Benedictine University.
The quick hit: Last week’s 17-16 loss to St. Patrick was heartbreaking, but the Redwings can take solace in outgaining the Shamrocks 400-222 in yardage. Six-foot-six sophomore quarterback Jack Beneventi set a program record with 342 passing yards.
St. Edward (1-2, 0-1) at Immaculate Conception (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Though IC and QB Demetrius Carr clocked Aurora Central 33-0, they won’t take this Suburban Christian crossover lightly. They didn’t play last season, but in 2010 St. Edward beat the Knights 42-0 and in 2009 IC lost a 48-36 barnburner.
West Aurora (1-2, 0-1) at Naperville Central (1-2, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Naperville Central’s red-zone defense came up huge in a victory over Glenbard East, helped by Kevin Nowak’s interception. Injuries have the Redhawks short-handed on the offensive line, but they’ll need to perform against the Blackhawks’ pressure.
West Chicago (0-3, 0-1) at Wheaton North (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Wheaton North’s two-headed quarterback continues to thrive. Junior Clayton Thorson already has scholarship offers from Iowa and Northwestern. Last week first-year Wildcats football player Billy Pearson stood out with a 90-yard touchdown reception.
York (0-3, 0-0) at Oak Park (2-1, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: York’s struggles are less on offense. Last week the Dukes saw terrific balance with 270 passing yards and 200 rushing yards led by Jordan Peacock’s 90. With Jakari Cannon in the backfield, Oak Park offers a tough defensive assignment for York.