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Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games

By Kevin Schmit and Dave Oberhelman

kschmit@dailyherald.com

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Addison Trail (2-0, 0-0) at Downers Grove South (1-1, 0-0)

West Suburban Gold

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Addison Trail 18, Hinsdale Central 10; Downers South 28, Proviso West 27 OT.

Last year: Downers South 40, Addison Trail 21.

Outlook: Like every team in the Gold, the Blazers know full well that all title roads run through Downers South. Evidenced by last week's surprise win over Hinsdale Central, this is definitely Addison Trail's best team since the one that last won the Gold title in 2011. A big reason is the improvement on both lines, including on defense, where Bobby Rinaldi and Josh Simko have made the smooth transition from linebacker. The Blazers are getting tremendous production from junior running back Malik Pierre-Louis, 316 rushing yards so far, but they'd like to get receivers Jaavion Bradley and Jake Atiyeh more involved in the offense. Downers South also has been trying to develop a passing threat, and it worked late in last week's thrilling win. With that in mind, Addison Trail must be wary of the Mustangs' combination of quarterback Jordan Skach and receiver Max Soderlund. A consistent pass attack is crucial for both teams as they try to ease the pressure in the box against talented front sevens.

Next week: Addison Trail at Leyden; Downers South at Morton.

Downers Grove North (1-1, 0-0) at Glenbard West (2-0, 0-0) West Suburban Silver

Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Hinsdale South 6, Downers North 0; Glenbard West 42, Morton 0.

Last year: Glenbard West 21, Downers North 0.

Outlook: Downers North coach John Wander has few complaints with how his defense is playing. With 300-pound lineman E.J. Phillips dominating up front, the Trojans have been stingy through two weeks. The offense, however, needs to get rolling. And with the Trojans, that means the ground game. Third-year Wisconsin-bound quarterback David Edwards left last week's game with an injury, but he's been practicing and will benefit from the extra day's rest. They'll get a boost with the return from injury of running back Spencer Carr, who will see his first action of the season. Glenbard West's vaunted ground game, led by Sam Brodner, has been getting a huge assist from the passing combination of quarterback Kyle Kramer and receiver Aidan Gould. The Hilltoppers don't have the giants on defense they've boasted in the past, especially up front, but they're lightning quick with linebackers Ben Marcus and Nico Gagliano and lineman Nate Orrison.

Next week: Oak Park at Downers North; Lyons Twp. at Glenbard West.

Marmion (2-0, 0-0) at St. Francis (2-0, 0-0)

Chicago Catholic Green

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Marmion 38, Ottawa 7; St. Francis 42, Plainfield South 0.

Last year: Marmion 26, St. Francis 20.

Outlook: This rivalry moves on over from the Suburban Christian Conference. After two games formerly run-heavy St. Francis has passed for 385 yards and 5 touchdowns while the ground game, headed by quarterback Clint Bobowski and running back Steven Fassnacht, has maintained balance with 314 yards with 7 touchdowns. "I think the kids have just really bought in to what the coaches are kind of preaching," said first-year coach and spread offense impressario Mike Fitzgerald. The Spartans have allowed 248 total yards, a unit headed by Quinn Calcagno and Mike Riley at defensive ends, linebackers Tom Petrando and Nate Zito and safeties Jack Ahern and Mike Shaw. Fitzgerald sees special teams and matching Marmion's physicality on the line, particularly against the run, as being big factors. Without much of a passing game, the Cadets used nine ball carriers in their opener and 10 last week headed by 225-pound full back Lucas Warren's 145 yards.

Next week: Marmion at Providence; Brother Rice at St. Francis.

Montini (1-1) at St. Rita (2-0)

Nonconference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Montini 46, East St. Louis 32; St. Rita 56, Dunbar 8.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: If one considers 1-1 De La Salle a breather, then this ends Montini's stout three-game start that included opener Maine South. Should the Broncos emerge 2-1 they'd be ecstatic. Montini quarterback Chuck Norgle has looked great, completing 68 percent of his passes for 473 yards, 4 touchdowns, no interceptions. Leon Thornton III broke open a tight game last week, finishing with 13 receptions, 189 yards, 3 TDs. The Broncos, No. 1 in Class 5A, ran for only 38 yards against East St. Louis' three-man front, and the trenches may tell the tale against St. Rita, No. 3 in 7A. Montini coach Chris Andriano expects St. Rita to go smashmouth in this Chicago Catholic League crossover. Yet receiver Brandon Gaston averages 32 yards a catch with 2 touchdowns and offers from Wyoming and Northern Illinois. Defensively, the Mustangs bring middle linebacker Matt Mitchell and defensive back Marty Bechina, already with 4 interceptions. St. Rita coach Todd Kuska called it "our biggest test of the year."

Next week: Montini at De La Salle; Mt. Carmel at St. Rita.

Naperville North (2-0) vs. Phillips (1-1)

Nonconference

Game time: 3 p.m. Saturday at Chicago's Lane Tech Stadium.

Last week: Naperville North 35, Thornton 18; Carmel 20, Phillips 13.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: Of the five Saturday crossover games between the DuPage Valley Conference and the Chicago Public League, this may be the most intriguing. While Naperville North's impressive start to the season makes the Huskies a favorite, Phillips isn't a team to take lightly. The Wildcats, ranked fourth in the state in Class 4A, opened with a stunning 51-0 victory over defending 3A champion Stillman Valley. The Huskies will see talented players on both sides of the ball, starting with quarterback Dewayne Collins, a standout track athlete, and Western Michigan-bound safety Jamal Brown. With fewer than 40 players, though, Phillips is at a big disadvantage against a physical Naperville North team with twice as many players. The difference will show in the trenches with Jake Bashaw and Joe Gissler on the offensive line, and Chris Zhang on the defensive line. Look for the Huskies to continue their ball-control running game with backs Mikey Caldarrazo and Morgan Osborne.

Next week: Glenbard North at Naperville North; Julian at Phillips.

Bartlett (1-1, 0-0) at Metea Valley (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Metea seeks to repeat last season's huge win over this usual Upstate Eight Valley heavy. Three first-half fumbles hurt last week at Glenbrook South, though the Mustangs rallied behind running back Bryson Oliver, who has 409 yards rushing, 5 TDs.

Benet (2-0, 0-0) at Notre Dame (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Benet's defense continues to be a pleasant surprise with junior linemen Jack Stephens and Trent Kramer, and junior linebacker Charlie Weidenbach. Quarterback Jack Sznajder's 11-of-17 effort with no interceptions last week was ideal production.

East Aurora (0-2, 0-0) at Waubonsie Valley (2-0, 0-0)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The flu bug hit Waubonsie's camp this week, but after wins against Naperville Central and Oswego the Warriors feel strong. If there's one thing East Aurora usually has it is special teams. Waubonsie matches that with game-breaker Tony Durns.

Fenton (2-0) at Ridgewood (1-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Behind experienced linemen Adam Benayad and David Echeverria, the Bison already have rushed for 10 touchdowns, 6 by Kyle McPherson. Leading tackler Eric Pingel and the defense must be ready for a balanced Ridgewood offense.

Glenbard North (0-2) vs. Brooks (0-2)Game time: Noon Saturday at Chicago's Gately Stadium.

The quick hit: Injuries are hammering the Panthers' backfield. Running back Vittorio Tricase and quarterback Brett Gasiorowski both went down last week. Depending on their health, you may see Devion Hodges or sophomore Shane Conway behind center.

Glenbard South (0-2) at Elmwood Park (1-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: With quarterback-defensive back Jack Curtis out with an injury, the Raiders came up just short against Antioch. In his first start, however, Kyle Carli stepped up with 150 passing yards and a touchdown. The Raiders' defense continues to shine.

Hinsdale South (2-0, 0-0) at Willowbrook (0-2, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Coming off a shutout of Downers North, the Hornets need a similar effort from safety Robert Hall and the defense against Willowbrook's explosive pass attack. Six-foot-five Warriors receiver Kyle Rushing already has 18 catches for 360 yards.

IC Catholic Prep (0-2) at Walther Christian (0-2)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: The Knights held their own last week against the state's 10th-ranked team in Class 4A. Given their tough competition thus far, they should be in solid shape to notch their first win. Sophomore Jordan Rowell's rushed for 300 yards and 2 scores.

Naperville Central (1-1) vs. Hubbard (1-1)Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday at Chicago's Lane Tech Stadium.

The quick hit: The Redhawks' defense, led up front by Joe Schweikart, is primed for another big game after last week's shutout of Neuqua Valley. Running back Kevin Clifford played well on a sloppy field, but all the skill players should benefit from playing on turf.

Neuqua Valley (0-2, 0-0) at Glenbard East (2-0, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: This would be a huge statement by Glenbard East, which got 10 tackles, a sack and a blocked field goal by Mickey Farnham in a 14-7 win over Oswego East. Neuqua had 115 yards of offense against Naperville Central; that's way out of character.

St. Charles North (2-0, 0-0) at West Chicago (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: West Chicago quarterback Peyton Seidler already has 473 yards passing. The Wildcats could use Danny Lazzerini, Parrish Benton and their offensive line to grind some out. Sidelining St. Charles North's offense is the key, coach Ted Monken said.

Westmont (1-1, 0-0) at Herscher (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Westmont has players, no doubt. Last week Quinton Brown ran 99 yards to score, Marcus Mott-Larson caught an 80-yard touchdown pass and Kyle Domin went 13 of 26 for 204 yards against Plano. Having proper mindset for 48 minutes is the thing.

Wheaton Academy (2-0) at Guerin (1-1)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: After first-half struggles last week, the Warriors exploded for an impressive second-half effort and are close to their first 3-0 start since 2010. It's two straight shutouts for the defense thanks to a disruptive line effort from Evan Williams and others.

Wheaton North (0-2) vs. Simeon (1-1)Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday at Chicago's Gately Stadium.

The quick hit: The Falcons' brutal competition doesn't get any easier against one of the CPL's top teams featuring third-year quarterback Timon Watkins. Falcons sophomore defenders Danny Walker and Erik Mueller both have had solid varsity debuts.

Wheaton Warrenville South (0-2) vs. Morgan Park (0-2)Game time: 3 p.m. Saturday at Chicago's Gately Stadium.

The quick hit: WW South's seen improvement despite the record. Third-down offense and defense, for example. Through offensive line injuries, Jamaal Randle's helped hold the unit together. Expect more offensive touches from Mike Campos and Keishawn Watson.

Wilmington (2-0, 0-0) at Lisle (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday at Lisle's Benedictine University.

The quick hit: It's been many moons since Lisle beat this Interstate Eight hulk, an emotional challenge the Lions must hurdle. An injury to Lisle tailback Mike Metoyer hurts, but coach Paul Parpet Sr. liked junior Nick Massura stepping in with 2 touchdown runs.

York (2-0, 0-0) at Hinsdale Central (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: It was a rough weekend for the Red Devils, who fell to Addison Trail and lost quarterback Matt Rafferty to injury. The Dukes have made good on their goal to move the chains on the ground with lineman Tommy Helton leading the way at center.

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