Scouting this weekend’s DuPage County football games
By Kevin Schmit and Dave Oberhelman
kschmit@dailyherald.com
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
Benet (3-0) at Crete-Monee (3-0)
Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights.
Last week: Benet 37, St. Patrick 13; Crete-Monee 14, Simeon 12.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: Even after last season’s run to the Class 7A semifinals and a 3-0 start to this season, Benet’s still flying under the state radar. A win over the defending Class 6A champion — top-ranked in Class 6A by Associated Press — would change that. The Redwings suffered a two-starter loss with the season-ending knee injury to running back-safety Porter Ontko, but junior Brad Sznajder stepped up with a 100-yard effort in last week’s win. Combined with returning starter Nick McTarnaghan, the Redwings are trying to keep the ground game seamless. Junior quarterback Jack Beneventi continues to be efficient in the balanced offense, something that will be critical against a Crete-Monee defense led by linebacker Nyles Morgan, one of the state’s top players, and defensive end Chris Slayton. Benet’s hurting on its defensive line, although Nick Surges continues to perform coming off the edge. Receiver Laquon Treadwell may be gone but the Warriors remain dangerous on offense.
Next week: Benet at Marian Catholic; Crete-Monee at Rich East.
Naperville North (1-2, 0-1) at Wheaton North (2-1, 0-1) DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Glenbard North 37, Naperville North 28; Wheaton Warrenville South 17, Wheaton North 13.
Last year: Wheaton North 21, Naperville North 7.
Outlook: Those expecting a fast-paced, high-scoring game last season came away disappointed, but it could happen this year with both teams preferring a no-huddle offensive style. For Naperville North, it’s all about getting the ball to running backs DeSean Brown, Rashad Crosby and Leon Hardy. who have combined for 450 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Brown also leads the team with 15 catches, most coming from senior quarterback Connor Johannes. The Huskies, however, continue to rotate behind center with Chris Gajcak. Wheaton North is shifting linebacker Beau Martin outside — one of many defensive changes on the way for the Falcons. For Naperville North’s defense, led by defensive back Danny Schertz and linebacker Brandon Gilligan, it’s all about slowing Northwestern-bound quarterback Clayton Thorson. Matt Biegalski and J.P. Forcucci are both game-breakers, but the Falcons need to drastically reduce the nine drops from last week.
Next week: WW South at Naperville North; Wheaton North at Lake Park.
St. Charles East (3-0) at Neuqua Valley (2-1)
Upstate Eight Conference crossover
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights.
Last week: St. Charles East 28, St. Charles North 21 (OT); Neuqua Valley 40, South Elgin 34.
Last year: Neuqua Valley 34, St. Charles East 0.
Outlook: St. Charles East, in its fastest start since 1998, earned the Crosstown Classic win on Brannon Barry’s 10-yard run in overtime. Saints coach Mike Fields has many weapons at his disposal. Quarterback Jimmy Mitchell and receivers such as Barry, Mo Flanigan, Mitch Munroe — 6 catches, 139 yards last week — and backs Erik Anderson and Ramon Lopez out of the backfield strike Neuqua’s greatest area of vulnerability. On the other hand Neuqua’s Illinois-bound receiver Mikey Dudek is tough to defend, catching 10 balls for 249 yards with last week’s game-winner in the last 42 seconds. The Wildcats threaten to stretch St. Charles East’s defense also with running backs T.J. Scruggs and Nolan Dean. D.J. Warkenthein returns at linebacker to shore up the defense, which has been led by safety Eli Tappin. Each coach seeks consistency in Week 4, also Neuqua’s homecoming. “We’re looking for a complete game,” said Wildcats coach Bill Ellinghaus. “That’s what our stress is.”
Next week: Elgin at St. Charles East; Neuqua Valley at East Aurora.
St. Francis (3-0, 1-0) at Montini (3-0, 1-0)
Suburban Christian Blue
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights.
Last week: St. Francis 49, Chicago Christian 0; Montini 56, Wheaton Academy 0.
Last year: Montini 27, St. Francis 7.
Outlook: Along with tonight’s Marian Central-Marmion game this is the first of the big SCC Blue battles. St. Francis has been tuning teams up while Montini got a breather last week after successive wins over Maine South and East St. Louis. Montini’s fabulous defensive front seven is bolstered by the probable return of tackle Anthony Ferraro and linebacker Tyler Quick, held out last week with mild injury concerns. Outside linebacker Nile Sykes will be dashing all over the place in an attempt to confound St. Francis’ solid offensive line and bottle up one of the state’s best players, Spartans tailback James Butler. “He’s special,” said Montini coach Chris Andriano. The Division I recruit has run for 547 yards and 9 touchdowns, averaging 13 yards a carry. He’s the focus, but Montini can’t ignore 220-pound fullback T.J. Jackson or quarterback Zach Prociuk, who St. Francis coach Greg Purnell said has improved weekly. St. Francis has moved the ball on Montini, but it must capitalize.
Next week: Aurora Christian at St. Francis; Montini at Marmion.
York (2-1) at Willowbrook (2-1)
West Suburban Conference crossover
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Hinsdale Central 30, York 7; Willowbrook 35, Hinsdale South 28.
Outlook: York finished 0-9 last season, and Willowbrook was winless the season before. Now a win would send each team a key step closer to the playoffs. York stayed within reach of Hinsdale Central for most of last week’s game despite playing without two of its best players, Emmett McCoy and Ted Harrold, due to injury. They’ll both return for this one to add a huge boost to the Dukes. In an attempt to limit possessions for Willowbrook’s explosive offense, York will lean on a grinding ground game with Kyle Stearns, Kyle Coughlin and Dominic Ravenna. Two-way standout Hayden Adams is putting together another great season on both sides of the ball. He snared an interception last week and, along with Devin Childress, he’s been a beneficiary of quarterback Brian Johnson’s amazing start. After setting a state record with 675 passing yards two weeks ago, he threw for 350 yards last week. York’s defense, however, can’t afford to fall asleep on Jeremy Barnes in the running game.
Next week: Oak Park at York; Willowbrook at Morton.
Downers North (2-1, 0-1) at Oak Park (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.*
The quick hit: In more ways than one, last week’s loss to Glenbard West was a setback for the Trojans. They lost receiver Sean Economou for the season and standout Vontae Diggs was banged up. Receiver Richard Olekanma, though, is close to 100 percent.
Fenton (2-1) at Rich East (0-3)
Game time: Noon Saturday.
The quick hit: Running back Alex Cowan’s 8 touchdowns in two wins show where the Bison are headed offensively. On defense this is the second time Fenton’s faced a Wing T. The Bison will lean on their experience from a Week 1 loss to Grayslake Central.
Glenbard East (2-1, 1-0) at Naperville Central (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Glenbard East bolstered a depleted receiving corps by adding Illinois State-bound DB Javon York to the offense. ISU-bound QB Jake Kolbe’s strength for the Redhawks is spreading around the ball. That includes himself in the running game.
Glenbard South (3-0) at Rich South (1-2)
Game time: Noon Saturday.
The quick hit: After Glenbard South’s offense grabbed the headlines the first two weeks, the Raiders’ defense stepped up last week. The Andre Steiger- and Connor Willis-led unit allowed a total of 29 yards until the final five minutes of the win against Rich East.
Glenbard West (2-1, 1-0) at Lyons Twp. (1-2, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.*
The quick hit: Glenbard West has toyed with the Wildcat offense in the past, but the Hilltoppers broke it out for a full, successful touchdown drive with running back Scott Andrews. The stout Glenbard West defense needs to slow Lyons RB Leonard Ross.
Hinsdale South (0-3, 0-1) at Proviso East (0-3, 0-1)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: Hornets junior quarterback Robert Regan had a monster game leading the option last week, rushing for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns on 29 carries. Hinsdale South also threw the ball 20 times, giving Regan 289 total yards in the loss to Willowbrook.
IC Catholic Prep (2-1, 1-0) at St. Edward (2-1, 0-1)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.*
The quick hit: IC linemen Riley Ricobene and Sam Symeonides totaled 28 tackles against Aurora Central, proving the defense can counter heft. Now they’ll play fast against St. Ed’s athletic line and back Davontae Elam. IC freshman Jordan Rowell is a two-way hit.
Lake Park (1-2, 0-1) at Glenbard North (2-1, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Northwestern-bound running back Justin Jackson, named this week to Team USA, ran the ball 44 times for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns last week. Lake Park’s strength is its defense, but lineman Michael Ferrante and the unit face their stiffest test.
Leyden (0-3, 0-0) at Addison Trail (0-3, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Look for some changes for the Blazers on both sides of the ball after they quickly fell behind 26-0 last week. Addison Trail, in fact, hasn’t played with a lead this season. The Blazers’ mission is slowing Leyden running back Aaron Whigham.
Metea Valley (1-2, 1-0) at Bartlett (1-2, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Bartlett is where Metea wants to be, a constant threat in the UEC Valley. Metea linebacker Ben Belskis & Co. face a power offense that ran for more than 300 yards last week. If it’s close, Mustangs place-kicker Michael Sfikas is good from 40 yards.
Morton (1-2, 1-0) at Downers South (1-2, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: While tailback Alec Arvanitakis remains the Mustangs’ feature back after rushing for a touchdown last week, Downers South unleashed fullback Le’Devin Smith on three bruising scores. Arvanitakis also caught a 50-yard touchdown pass.
Reed-Custer (1-2, 1-0) at Lisle (1-2, 0-1)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Despite double-digit tackles by Jack Hennessy, Cliff Krause and Kevin Coppin, Seneca’s ground game let Lisle’s offense run only 10 first-half plays. Things will ease up here, and Krause looks primed to add to his 231 yards rushing, 108 receiving, 4 TDs.
Waubonsie Valley (2-1, 1-0) at West Chicago (0-3, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Waubonsie linebackers Hugh Griffin and Ryan Strick — off the edge for 2 sacks against Streamwood — bring top speed. Wildcats Danny Lazzerini, who caught a Jordan Lelito TD pass last week, and back Robert Eckler aim to move the chains.
West Aurora (1-2, 0-1) at WW South (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.*
The quick hit: WW South’s defense shined last week despite the absence of linebacker Matt Brocious due to an ankle injury. Look for Brocious to rest the ankle another week. Running back Isaiah Campos and the offense look to solve West Aurora’s 4-3 defense.
Wheaton Academy (1-2, 0-1) at Aurora Christian (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Warriors’ offensive line’s size and mobility impresses AC coach Don Beebe, whose offensive and defensive lines are a strength themselves. Quarterback Nate Lopez is injured; strong-armed sophs David Thrasher and Steven Sellers get reps.
* —Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights.