Scouting this weekend’s DuPage County football games
By Kevin Schmit and David Oberhelman
kschmit@dailyherald.com
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
Glenbard South (2-2, 0-0) at Elmwood Park (3-1, 1-0)
Metro Suburban Conference
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Crete-Monee 45, Glenbard South 7; Elmwood Park 42, Ridgewood 28.
Last year: Glenbard South 35, Elmwood Park 21.
Outlook: Glenbard South begins its quest for a second straight Metro Suburban title by facing the league’s most successful team thus far this season. Last week wasn’t overly pleasant for the Raiders, but now they’re extremely battle-tested — and surprisingly healthy — after a rugged nonconference slate that included defending Class 6A champion Prairie Ridge. Elmwood Park’s pro-style offense is heavily run-based, about a 70-to-30 run-to-pass ratio, according to Raiders coach Jeremy Cordell. That was evidenced last week as Carlos Sandoval and David Benavidez both rushed for more than 100 yards. The Raiders boast a powerful run stopper in linebacker Bret Curtis, who last week posted another game of double-digit tackles. Glenbard South struggled overall on offense against Crete-Monee, but quarterback Alex Jeske continues to improve in his first varsity season. After amassing 44 rushing yards last week, the Raiders hope to get running back Zach Smith going against Elmwood Park.
Next week: Riverside-Brookfield at Glenbard South; St. Ignatius at Elmwood Park.
Marmion (1-3, 1-1) at Montini (3-1, 2-0)
Suburban Christian Blue
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Marian Central 34, Marmion 7; Montini 28, St. Francis 7.
Last year: Montini 13, Marmion 6.
Outlook: Marmion angles to maintain its status among the SCC’s Big Four. By record Montini would appear to be a heavy favorite, but last year’s game was the Broncos’ lowest-scoring contest, its closest besides a 21-20 loss to Marian Central. Not quite as physical or as big as they’ve been recently, the Cadets will attempt to disguise schemes by doing things like sending defensive end like Joe Talbot into pass coverage, trying to confuse Montini. Marmion hasn’t done a great job of protecting quarterback Brock Krueger (running quarterback Charlie Faunce got hurt last week but returns) or scoring, with 340 yards but 7 points last week. Montini can do both and also puts a rush on with Edgar Ruano, Fred Beaugard, Liam Kennedy and Dylan Thompson. Add linebackers Joe Nitti, Mike Maduko and Nick Sanzeri and Marmion will be challenged. Broncos coach Chris Andriano could do without last week’s 3 turnovers, though. “We’ve got to do a better job taking care of the ball,” he said.
Next week: Aurora Christian at Marmion; Montini at Immaculate Conception.
St. Francis (3-1, 1-1) at Aurora Christian (4-0, 2-0)
Suburban Christian Blue
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Montini 28, St. Francis 7; Aurora Christian 55, Wheaton Academy 7.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: An intriguing matchup between defending Class 3A champion Aurora Christian and a Spartans team ranked No. 10 in 6A by The Associated Press. Aurora Christian offers another sophisticated spread offense like St. Francis saw last week, including tailback Brandon Mayes, who has run for 279 yards. The Eagles’ bread and butter is certainly the pass; quarterback Ryan McQuade has already thrown for 1,040 yards and 19 touchdowns but against much less competition than St. Francis brings. Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe wondered at season’s outset how his club would contend in the SCC Blue coming from the Gold. Any difference will be most pronounced on the line. “I think we’re probably a little more physical up front,” said St. Francis coach Greg Purnell. Defensively, St. Francis’ Ryan O’Kasick, Kyle Wedoff, Josh Croci and Mike Andelbradt will apply the heat and 280-plus offensive tackles Kyle Bosch and Robert Dwyer front the Spartans’ clockwork Wing-T ground game.
Next week: Marian Central at St. Francis; Aurora Christian at Marmion.
Waubonsie Valley (4-0, 1-0) at Bartlett (3-1, 2-0)
Upstate Eight Valley
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Millennium Field, Streamwood
Last week: Waubonsie Valley 49, Lake Park 28; Bartlett 47, Metea Valley 27.
Last year: Bartlett 27, Waubonsie Valley 20.
Outlook: Three of the last four years Waubonsie Valley has either tied Bartlett for the conference title or finished second to the Hawks. Last year this punishing squad broke Warriors quarterback Mitch Stefani’s collarbone, hastening Dylan Warden’s arrival as full-time starter. He heads an explosive offense for a team now ranked No. 10 in 8A by The Associated Press. Tailback Austin Guido has run for 844 yards, 14 touchdowns; Wisconsin-bound tight end Troy Fumagalli has a team-high 15 catches for 252 yards and 3 touchdowns. More are in the skilled-position stable — fullback Demario Webb, Kyle Neese, Christian Gibbs, John Burke and the fastest receiver, Danny Waldron. Linebackers Austin Lacke and Hugh Griffin — 11 tackles last week — must contain Bartlett’s power ground game featuring sprinter Aaron Everson, who in the last three games has run for 734 yards and 16 TDs. “If we can contain him we definitely feel we have a good chance to win,” said Warriors coach Paul Murphy.
Next week: South Elgin at Waubonsie Valley; Lake Park at Bartlett.
Wheaton Warrenville South (2-2, 2-0) at Naperville Central (2-2, 2-0) DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: WW South 24, Naperville North 21; Naperville Central 42, West Aurora 7.
Last year: WW South 14, Naperville Central 7.
Outlook: After both teams lost a pair of nonconference games, both are riding two-game winning streaks. WW South pulled out a last-second win last week behind junior quarterback Ryan Graham, who has become the Tigers’ chief playmaker. While WW South coach Ron Muhitch would prefer to see a running back emerge as the primary run threat, Graham continues to be the most effective option. Finding potent receivers Brandon Moore and Corey Davis is a chief objective. Naperville Central’s linebacking crew of Luke Roth, Cole and Jack Wooldridge and sophomore Bobby McMillan gets more solid each week. Offensively, the Redhawks are getting consistent outings from running back Nick Thomas. Quarterback Jake Kolbe has many options in the passing game, starting with junior Ben Andreas, who has back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. WW South’s injury-ridden defense hopes to return lineman Dan Chism and safety Adam Rogers.
Next week: WW South at West Chicago; Naperville Central at Glenbard North.
Addison Trail (1-3, 0-2) at Morton (1-3, 0-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: For the Blazers to maintain playoff hopes, this is a must-win game. They’ll aim to get the ball in the hands of sophomore receiver Javvion Bradley in more creative ways. The Blazers need to improve on last week’s 2-of-11 third-down conversions.
Batavia (4-0) at Lake Park (2-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: After a 49-28 loss to Waubonsie Valley, the Lancers face the No. 5 team in Class 7A. It will be crucial to protect quarterback Zach Gehant from a brutal pass rush — and linebackers Niko Daniello and Ronnie Castaldo must corral back Anthony Scaccia.
Downers Grove South (1-3) at Downers Grove North (3-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: The record may not be typical, but the fight is still strong for Downers South, which received another 3-touchdown effort from receiver Kaylon Miller last week. The Trojans can’t fall behind like last week and still run their offense as they’d like.
East Aurora (0-4, 0-2) at Neuqua Valley (4-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Now No. 7 in Class 8A, powerful Neuqua Valley probably could afford to look ahead to Metea Valley next week. That’s not how Bill Ellinghaus’ squad is taking this, though. “The kids have worked hard all week,” said the first-year head coach.
Fenton (1-3) at Northrop, Ind. (2-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Fenton does not want four losses heading into Metro Suburban Conference play. Look for the Bison offense to ride the strength of linemen Nikko Avila, Alec Wasowicz and Mark Whiteleather. Senior linebacker Peter Panos is out with an injury.
Glenbard North (3-1, 2-0) at West Aurora (1-3, 0-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: What more can you say about Justin Jackson’s 351-yard rushing performance against Glenbard East? Keep in mind Panthers QB Brian Murphy also threw 2 touchdown passes to Ryan Storto. Credit the offensive line led by D’Angelo Hodges.
Hinsdale Central (3-1, 1-1) at Lyons Twp. (2-2, 1-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Hinsdale Central is still a force despite last week’s loss to Glenbard West. The Red Devils’ offensive balance is powered by the Brian Allen-led offensive line. Six-foot-two receiver John Claussen is the perfect complement to 6-6 junior Ian Bunting.
Immaculate Conception (4-0) at Marian Central (4-0)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: IC senior Cody Baker made 12 tackles, scored on an interception return and also on a reception against St. Edward. Here, Knights quarterback Demetrius Carr and linemen such as Adalberto Suarez can test their prowess against the No. 4 team in Class 5A.
Leyden (3-1, 2-0) at Hinsdale South (4-0, 2-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: This outcome will go a long way in determining the West Suburban Gold champion. Hinsdale South’s 4-0 for the first time since an 11-0 start in 2001. The Hornets need a big game on defense from linebacker Steve O’Neill and lineman Matt Dangles.
Lisle (2-2, 1-1) at Dwight (0-4, 0-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Ryan VanVolkenburg picked off 3 passes last week against Reed-Custer. He may add another Friday. Linemen Andrew Mogensen and Jared Arellano look to lead Griffin Huba to the end zone to set up a big Interstate Eight Small clash with Wilmington.
Marian Catholic (0-4, 0-2) at Benet (3-1, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Benedictine University, Lisle
The quick hit: Benet seeks to end a 10-game East Suburban Catholic losing streak that dates back to 2010. The Redwings don’t want another ragged start like last week. A 140-yard effort from running back Nick McTarnaghan shows the offensive diversity.
Metea Valley (1-3, 0-2) at South Elgin (2-2, 1-1)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: The Mustangs have been “just five, six plays” shy of victory the past couple weeks, coach Ben Kleinhans said. They’re 0-2 thus far against South Elgin. Last week Blaze Miller caught 6 passes for 84 yards and also averaged more than 40 yards a punt.
Naperville North (1-3, 0-2) at West Chicago (0-4, 0-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Bouncing back from the Huskies’ heartbreaking loss last week starts with focusing on the positives in a 200-yard rushing performance led by Kendall Veluvolu. Linebacker A.J. Seidler’s consistency has been a bright spot in West Chicago’s defense.
Oak Park (3-1, 1-1) at Glenbard West (4-0, 2-0)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: The Hilltoppers emerged unbeaten from a rough four-game stretch. A challenge awaits in slowing Huskies back Jakari Cammon. The sacks weren’t in waves last week but Jack Wheeler, Contrell Silmon and Nathan Marcus remained disruptive.
Proviso West (3-1, 0-1) at York (0-4, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: York, which tallied 41 points in a loss to Oak Park, will try to keep its offense moving against an awesome Proviso West defense that last week posted its third shutout. The Panthers can’t look ahead to next week’s game against Glenbard West.
Wheaton Academy (0-4, 0-3) at Walther Lutheran (1-3, 1-1)
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: Walther exploded for a 60-0 win over Guerin last week. Wheaton Academy will put its toughness against Walther’s speed, though Warriors Joel Swick and Justin Sargeant run just fine. The Warriors may be without playmaker Matt Lindsay (back).
Wheaton North (4-0, 2-0) at Glenbard East (0-4, 0-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Glenbard East is rolling up the yardage with the pass thanks to quarterback Joe Kotch, but getting in the end zone has been tough. It won’t get any easier against Wheaton North’s defense that’s allowed only 14 points and has posted two shutouts.
Willowbrook (3-1, 1-0) at Proviso East (0-4, 0-1)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: As much as Willowbrook likes to throw the ball with quarterback Brian Johnson, the Warriors showed they can run it after Brandon Smith and Jeremy Barnes each rushed for more than 140 yards in a dominant West Suburban Gold win over Morton.