Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games
Benet (6-0, 3-0) at Nazareth (4-2, 2-2)
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights.
Last week: Benet 38, St. Viator 14; Nazareth 10, Notre Dame 7.
Last year: Benet 49, Nazareth 0.
Outlook: Benet may have rushed for 250 yards last week, but it'll be tough sledding against Nazareth's defense. The Roadrunners allowed under 150 total yards to previously unbeaten Notre Dame while limiting standout running back Chris James to a rare sub-100-yard effort on the ground. Redwings junior Brad Sznajder has been up to the challenge thus far, tacking on 200 rushing yards last week. He and backfield mate Nick McTarnaghan also combined for 7 catches out of the backfield from quarterback Jack Beneventi. Nazareth's a young group on offense where freshman Ivory Kelly-Martin ran for 100 yards against Notre Dame. The Redwings' defense is known for rising to the occasion in the second half of games, and last week was no different. It starts up front with Nick Surges and Steve Hubona and continues at the next level with linebacker Colin Geier. Expect a battle of tempos as Nazareth tries grinding out drives to keep Beneventi and the Redwings' offense on the sideline.
Next week: Benet at Marist; Nazareth at Riverside-Brookfield.
Downers Grove South (3-3, 3-0) at Willowbrook (5-1, 3-0)
West Suburban Gold
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Downers Grove North 42, Downers Grove South 21; Willowbrook 48, Proviso East 28.
Last year: Willowbrook 29, Downers South 27.
Outlook: Although both teams still have two Gold games remaining on the schedule, this one will go a long way in determining the conference champion. The Mustangs saw their three-game winning streak snapped last week, thanks in part to the continuation of a disturbing trend this season. Downers North rushed for 260 yards, which is good news for surging Willowbrook running back Jeremy Barnes. While Mustangs running back Alec Arvanitakis, quarterback Jordan Skach and receiver Javon Turner account for the bulk of Downers South's offensive numbers, it all starts up front with 6-foot-5, 290-pound sophomore lineman Erik Swenson, who boasts offers from Notre Dame and much of the Big Ten. The Mustangs are the latest team to attempt slowing Willowbrook's passing game that seems unstoppable with quarterback Brian Johnson and receivers Hayden Adams and Devin Childress. Consistency for four quarters on both sides of the ball is the main goal for the Warriors.
Next week: Proviso East at Downers S.; Willowbrook at Leyden.
Glenbard North (5-1, 4-0) at Naperville Central (5-1, 3-1)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Glenbard North 34, West Aurora 13, Wheaton Warrenville South 14, Naperville Central 7.
Last year: Glenbard North 23, Naperville Central 0
Outlook: If Glenbard North needed a template for beating Naperville Central and its high-powered offense, WW South provided it. Pressuring Redhawks quarterback Jake Kolbe is the key, and the Panthers have the perfect guy to bring it with lineman Cyris Parker, who last week notched 3 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. Glenbard North running back Justin Jackson, who's rushed for 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns, will see a lot more time in the defensive secondary as the Panthers try to contain receivers Michael Kolzow and Ben Andreas. Glenbard North is riding a streak of four straight games rushing for at least 300 yards. While Jackson is the main reason, freshman Vittorio Tricase has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. With Redhawks linebackers Bobby McMillen and Jack Wooldridge on the prowl, though, the Panthers also need a passing threat from quarterback Brett Gasiorowski and receiver Kendall Holbert who, like Jackson, will see time in the Panthers' secondary.
Next week: WW South at Glenbard North; Naperville Central at Wheaton North.
Marian Central (5-1, 3-1) at Montini (6-0, 4-0)
Suburban Christian Blue
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights.
Last week: Marian Central 34, St. Francis 28; Montini 38, IC Catholic Prep 21.
Last year: Marian Central 49, Montini 24; Montini 42, Marian 27 (Class 5A quarterfinals).
Outlook: This will be the 14th meeting of these SCC powers since the 2006 season, Montini winning seven. Entering the year, scatback Ephraim Lee seemed like Marian's top offensive weapon. He's solid, with 575 yards and 12 touchdowns according to McHenryCountySports.com. But Hurricanes coach Ed Brucker has unleashed junior quarterback Billy Bahl for 1,604 yards passing and 17 TDs, targeting receiver Brett Olson 31 times for 711 yards, 9 TDs. Dylan Thompson, Mike Maduko and the rest of Montini's physical 4-3 defense, which hit IC with 13 tackles for loss, must stand guard against the play-action pass. Offensively, last week Montini's pounding back Nikko Italia ran for 100 yards the second time this season. As the playoffs loom, Montini may take a closer look at freshman Prince Walker, who broke a 50-yard touchdown run against IC. Regardless, Broncos coach Chris Andriano sees this game between the Nos. 1 and 9 teams in Class 5A as a four-quarter fight to the finish.
Next week: St. Edward at Marian; Montini at Aurora Christian.
Waubonsie Valley (5-1, 3-0) vs. Neuqua Valley (5-1, 3-0)
Upstate Eight Valley
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at North Central College in Naperville.
Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights.
Last week: Waubonsie 63, South Elgin 29; Neuqua 65, Metea Valley 28.
Last year: Neuqua 35, Waubonsie 34 (2OT); Neuqua 23, Waubonsie 20 (Class 8A quarterfinals).
Outlook: Neuqua Valley, No. 4 in this week's Associated Press Class 8A poll, owns an 11-4 series lead over its No. 6-ranked District 204 rivals. The speed of Waubonsie running back Jon Fizer and receivers Christian Gibbs, Tony Durns, Devin Strickland and Keaton Casey is the top concern of Neuqua coach Bill Ellinghaus. Waubonsie quarterback Jack Eddy has completed 52 of 79 passes for 851 yards and 11 touchdowns without an interception. Neuqua receiver Mikey Dudek has 1,464 yards of total offense, including 759 on receptions and 509 returning kickoffs, for 14 total touchdowns. The best way to limit Dudek, Waubonsie coach Paul Murphy said, is to pressure highly accurate Wildcats quarterback Broc Rutter. Neuqua comes off a game in which it ran for 462 yards, 251 by Nolan Dean, 123 by T.J. Scruggs. Special teams play, turnovers, penalties, line play all will be magnified — and an unforeseen hero is likely to emerge. “If I was a fan,” Murphy said, “I wouldn't want to miss this one.”
Next week: Waubonsie at East Aurora; West Chicago at Neuqua.
Addison Trail (1-5, 1-3) at Proviso East (0-6, 0-3)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.*
The quick hit: The Blazers have some momentum on their side thanks to last week's win over Morton powered by linebacker Eric Gilliam and the defense. Good timing heading into a game against a Pirates offense that last week scored a season-high 28 points.
Aurora Christian (5-1, 3-1) at IC Catholic Prep (3-3, 2-2)
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: Aurora Christian quarterback Austin Bray is out with a shoulder injury but the Eagles remain strong. IC's Steven Stamm and the offensive line must open lanes for back Randy Leslie and protect quarterback Jack Copher, who's quietly having a solid year.
Fenton (4-2, 1-0) at Glenbard South (6-0, 2-0)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: If Alex Cowan and the ground game are effective, the Bison might be able to keep Glenbard South's offense off the field and slow QB Alex Jeske and RB Zach Smith. After missing two games, Fenton linebacker Phil Espinoza returns from injury.
Hinsdale Central (3-3) at Hinsdale South (3-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: With injuries still hammering away, Hinsdale Central has lost two straight. Thomas Ives became the Red Devils' fifth quarterback of the season. Hinsdale South's defense improves with each game, evidenced last week by Jake Hynek's 2 interceptions.
Lake Park (1-5, 0-4) at WW South (5-1, 3-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Lake Park posted double digit tackles for loss in last week's loss, including five by linebacker Curtwan Evans. WW South defensive lineman Mocha Uchiyama, meanwhile, has 10 sacks on the season. Which offense will be able to break through?
Metea Valley (3-3, 3-1) at East Aurora (1-5, 0-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: East Aurora promises to enter with early emotion and fire after ending a 44-game losing streak. Metea can create doubt the way it usually does — go deep with the passing combo of Blaise Bell to Nick Dodson and have Jay Parker pound the ball.
Naperville North (3-3, 2-2) at Glenbard East (2-4, 1-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Glenbard East must be wary of a Huskies defense that last week snared 4 interceptions, 2 by Danny Schertz. This will be a good running back matchup between the Rams' Dominic Wilberton and Naperville North's DeSean Brown.
Proviso West (2-4, 0-3) at Glenbard West (5-1, 4-0)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: Glenbard West will bolster its backfield tremendously if Devante Toney and Donahvon Vaughn return from injury. The Hilltoppers, allowing fewer than 9 points a game, can clinch at least a share of the West Suburban Silver title with a win.
St. Francis (3-3, 1-3) at Marmion (5-1, 3-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.*
The quick hit: Getting running back James Butler a seam to find open space is a proven formula for St. Francis. What also impressed Marmion coach Dan Thorpe was the Spartans scoring 28 points at Marian Central and QB Zach Prociuk's passing ability.
South Elgin (1-5, 1-3) at West Chicago (0-6, 0-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Wildcats back Danny Lazzerini's season-high 127 yards rushing led to a season-high 387 yards of offense against Bartlett. Establishing that kind of ball control would be a good thing for West Chicago to keep South Elgin's passing scheme sidelined.
Westmont (1-5, 1-3) at Lisle (3-3, 2-2)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday at Benedictine University.
The quick hit: Ah yes, the battle for the Old Plank Road Trophy — and also Lisle's first game against new Westmont coach Otto Zeman. Linebacker-quarterback Griffin Huba forced another fumble last week, and that opportunism can give the Lions an edge.
Wheaton Academy (3-3, 2-2) at St. Edward (4-2, 2-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.*
The quick hit: Pivotal to the Warriors' playoff hopes with Chicago Christian (good shot) and Marian Central (very tough) to end the season. Defenders Alex Budzisz, Evan Williams, Daniel Sedjo and friends aim to keep back Davontae Elam from breaking it long.
Wheaton North (5-1, 3-1) at West Aurora (1-5, 0-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday. *
The quick hit: Dropped passes continue to hamper Wheaton North's offense, but last week the running game stepped up as six players carried the ball at least four times. J.P. Forcucci and Matt Biegalski also combined for 8 catches for 170 yards.
York (3-3, 1-2) at Downers North (3-3, 0-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.*
The quick hit: Downers North quarterback David Edwards missed last week's win due to injury, but Vontae Diggs stepped up. He had 9 tackles and an interception on defense and threw a 59-yard touchdown pass. To top it off, he returned a kick for another score.
*-Live video streaming: @football.dailyherald.com, followed by postgame highlights.