Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games

By David Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

kschmit@dailyherald.com

Batavia (0-1) at Glenbard North (0-1)

Nonconference

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

Last week: Oswego 40, Batavia 38; Centerville, Ohio 33, Glenbard North 28.

Last year: Batavia 29, Glenbard North 26.

Outlook: Batavia is 2-0 in this series, which ends here due to next year's DuPage Valley Conference expansion to nine schools. The defending Class 6A champion, Batavia lost to Oswego on an untimed play to cap a wild 40-point fourth quarter. The Bulldogs allowed Oswego 474 yards and hope to avoid big plays by Glenbard North. Offensively, Batavia surprised when a pair of quarterbacks, Evan Acosta and Kyle Niemiec, combined to complete 31 of 42 passes for 341 yards, 3 touchdowns. It's a much shorter week of preparation for Glenbard North, which didn't return from Ohio until about 4:30 a.m. Sunday. While Vittorio Tricase, Devion Hodges and quarterback Brett Gasiorowski piled up more than 200 rushing yards, the Panthers had their struggles against Centerville's defensive line and threw for only 11 yards. To keep up with Batavia's balanced offense, Glenbard North's defensive line aims for its own push up front with Jeremy Archer and John Czernek.

Next week: Larkin at Batavia; Glenbard North vs. Brooks at Gately Stadium.

East St. Louis (0-1) at Montini (0-1) Nonconference

Game time: 2 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: St. Xavier (Ohio) 35, East St. Louis 20; Maine South 36, Montini 35.

Last year: Montini 34, East St. Louis 6.

Outlook: In the second of a grueling three-game stretch, Montini looks to shake off an implosion that last week saw it lose a 35-15 lead in the last 3:04. They'll do so against an opponent that offers Illinois' Nos. 1 and 3 recruits in the Class of 2015, according to Rivals.com - defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. and running back Natereace Strong, a Missouri commit who ran for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns last week. The Flyers' speed and big-play capability will test Montini on the perimeter and in the screen game, where they get players in space. Montini did intercept 4 Maine South passes, including Michael Hollingshed's pick-6, and before the late disaster Broncos coach Chris Andriano liked what he saw. Quarterback Chuck Norgle completed 12 of 19 passes for 163 yards, 2 touchdowns, and sophomore back Prince Walker ran for 126 yards and a touchdown. "If we're the team that we think we are," Andriano said, "we've got to bounce back."

Next week: Edwardsville at East St. Louis; Montini at St. Rita.

Maine South (1-0) at WW South (0-1)

Nonconference

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

Last week: Maine South 36, Montini 35; Glenbard West 21, WW South 10.

Last year: WW South 28, Maine South 13.

Outlook: After Maine South scored 3 touchdowns in the final three minutes to stun Montini, WW South knows it's in for a 48-minute tussle. "If you think this game will be over by halftime, you'll be surprised," said Tigers coach Ron Muhitch. The Tigers have to be wary of Hawks two-way standouts Vinny Labus, Justin Fahey, Tommy Bazarek and George Sargeant. They also must account for junior quarterback Brian Collis, who threw for 290 yards. Muhitch seeks improvement in the secondary, so some personnel tweaks may be made with this opponent in mind. The Tigers' defensive line needs to create pressure with Joe Metzger, Anthony Melton, Solomon Jackson and nose guard Anthony Dohse, the unit's player of the week for the Glenbard West game. On offense WW South quarterback Josh Prueter carried the load by accounting for 250 total yards. The goal this week is to spread the wealth with running back Mike Campos and Western Michigan-bound receiver Keishawn Watson.

Next week: Glenbrook North at Maine South; WW South vs. Morgan Park at Gately Stadium.

Naperville Central (0-1) at Neuqua Valley (0-1)

Nonconference

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

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 20, Naperville Central 6; Naperville North 14, Neuqua Valley 13.

Last year: Naperville Central 58, Neuqua Valley 35.

Outlook: A good team will be 0-2, but both sides have reason to believe it won't be them. Redhawks coach Mike Stine can't remember a game where his team turned the ball over three times in the end zone, let alone a game with 6 total turnovers. Still not worried about the offense, the Redhawks, quarterback Conor Joyce & Co. still have plenty of firepower. While lineman Joe Schweikart led the effort on defense, the unit also expects to get back Iowa State-bound linebacker Bobby McMillen from a neck injury suffered late in the game. Neuqua Valley coach Bill Ellinghaus didn't know how a rumor started that Wildcats quarterback Broc Rutter needs surgery to correct a perplexing lower-body injury, but the coach did concede the Indiana State-bound senior was "continuing to battle it." Ellinghaus seeks a full 48-minute effort. Held scoreless through three quarters last week, Neuqua looks to build off Charlie Hunter's strong second half that had him finish with 111 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Next week: Naperville Central vs. Hubbard at Lane Tech; Neuqua Valley at Glenbard East.

Waubonsie Valley (1-0) at Oswego (1-0)

Nonconference

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 20, Naperville Central 6; Oswego 40, Batavia 38.

Last year: Waubonsie Valley 40, Oswego 21; Oswego 33, Waubonsie Valley 13 (Class 8A playoffs).

Outlook: Waubonsie Valley comes off a solid win over the defending Class 8A champion and seeks revenge against the team that beat the Warriors in the second round of the 2013 playoffs. Both teams won thrilling openers, Waubonsie stealing momentum on active linebacker Luke Marzano's caused fumble at his own 1-yard line, recovered by Chris Fenley. Oswego saved its best for last on quarterback Steven Frank's game-winning, 24-yard touchdown pass to Joe Hennessey with no time left. Led by tailback Tony Durns, quarterback Jake Bennema and a new offensive line Waubonsie ran for nearly 300 yards last week but only passed for 22. That will be addressed. Defensively, coach Paul Murphy's first emphasis is to shut down Oswego's power running game, which hit Batavia for 205 yards to go with Frank's 244 passing. "Every year the

biggest improvement can occur from Week 1 to Week 2 and we want to make sure that improvement occurs this week," Murphy said.

Next week: East Aurora at Waubonsie Valley; Plainfield Central at Oswego.

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

The quick hit: Against Antioch's option game the Raiders need to improve their run defense with Jake Kapp and Dillon Valdez leading the way. Jack Curtis performed well in his first varsity game at quarterback, but he missed the fourth quarter with an injury.

Aurora Central (1-0) at Lisle (1-0)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: These two nonconference foes haven't played for a while - their lifetime record includes a tie, 3-1-1. Lisle has the experience edge up front, and a ground game featuring Mike Metoyer, Mark McGrath and Grant Haen has to control the tempo.

Benet (1-0) at O'Fallon (1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Redwings sophomore quarterback Jack Sznajder's varsity debut was solid, aided by senior brother Brad's 160-yard effort at running back. O'Fallon received several votes in this week's Class 8A Associated Press poll after blanking Cahokia.

DeKalb (1-0) at West Chicago (1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Peyton Seidler's 196 yards passing helped tip East Aurora 26-24 in coach Ted Monken's debut. A defense featuring linebacker Mike Otzwirk, who made 2 interceptions with a pick-6, must limit Dre Brown, a four-year tailback committed to Illinois.

Downers North (1-0) at Hinsdale South (1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: It took a team for the Trojans to pile up nearly 400 rushing yards, much of it gained by quarterback David Edwards. Marcus Curry scored 2 rushing touchdowns for the Hornets while two-way standout Josh King snared a 70-yard touchdown catch.

Glenbard East (1-0) at Oswego East (1-0)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The visitors seek vengeance over a 33-0 blanking in 2013. Week 1 was great, a 41-14 win over Willowbrook in which Phil Abruzino and Zach Walsh teamed up for 8 catches, 142 yards with a touchdown. The Rams also averaged 5.5 yards a carry.

Hinsdale Central (1-0) at Addison Trail (1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Red Devils need to put their huge win over Bolingbrook in the rearview mirror. Linebackers Jimmy Thompson and Jack Clark will be tasked at slowing Addison Trail's improved offensive line that helped Malik Pierre-Louis to 175 rushing yards.

IC Catholic Prep (0-1) at Mater Dei (1-0)Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: It's back in the fire for the Knights after a tough loss where Bishop McNamara dominated with 21 points in the first seven minutes. Several players still performed well in their first varsity game, including receiver-linebacker Jose Rodriguez.

Joliet Catholic (0-1) at Wheaton North (0-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Falcons struggled with Cary-Grove's physical ground game and face a similar challenge this week. They moved the ball behind sophomore quarterback Luke Anthony. Steele Graham led the run game but look for others to help carry the load.

Lake Park (1-0) at Lockport (0-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Mike Perry and Jaron Fields each took snaps at quarterback for the Lancers last week, a strategy that will continue. The defense gets a huge boost with the return from injury of defensive back Antonio Shenault and linebacker Jontrell Mitchell.

Lyons Twp. (0-1) at Willowbrook (0-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Like last season Willowbrook chewed up yardage in the air as Billy Degnan threw for 270 yards and a touchdown to receiver Kyle Rushing, who had 10 catches. Miami of Ohio-bound back Leonard Ross is the focal point of Willowbrook's defense.

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

The quick hit: Metea isn't the team Glenbrook South beat 56-26 last season. Still, despite Ron Edwards' interception for touchdown and Bryson Oliver's 256 yards rushing in a 45-28 win over Plainfield North, Metea gave up 305 yards rushing. That's too many.

Morton (0-1) at Glenbard West (1-0)Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: It's tough to find much fault with Glenbard West's 21-10 victory over WW South, but coach Chad Hetlet wants to see his defense tighten up its tackling. Lightning quick middle linebacker Nico Gagliano will hone in on Morton's option run game.

Naperville North (1-0) at Thornton (1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Running back Leon Hardy's out with a knee injury, so expect quarterback Chris Gajcak and running backs Mikey Caldarrazo and Morgan Osborne to carry the run game. Linebacker Tommy Higgins was everywhere on defense in last week's win.

Plainfield South (0-1) at St. Francis (1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Mike Fitzgerald won his coaching debut, 48-7 over Menomonie (Wis.). The Spartans allowed only 123 yards and forced 5 turnovers. Michael Shaw caught 4 passes for 125 yards, 2 touchdowns. St. Francis seeks its seventh straight 2-0 start.

Proviso West (1-0) at Downers South (0-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: While converted running back Jacob Turner thrived at times last week, the Mustangs know they need a much better push up front with that big offensive line. Hard-hitting linebacker Mike Connolly will be focused on Panthers back Chance Haney.

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

The quick hit: Offensive and defensive line adjustments helped the Bison seize control in last week's win. Walther's 47-0 loss to Wheaton Academy isn't a good sign for a team that must deal with the power ground game of Kyle McPherson and Matt Lucas.

Westmont (1-0) at Plano (0-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Westmont hasn't beaten this Interstate Eight crossover foe since 2010, and certainly wants to forget last season's 72-14 loss. If the Sentinels' big offensive line can open holes for Quintin Brown to run for another 300 yards, it should be forgotten.

Wheaton Academy (1-0) at Noble Charter/Bulls (1-0)Game time: 4 p.m. Saturday at Lane Tech.

The quick hit: After opening Performance Trust Field in style with a running-clock win over Walther Christian, the Warriors aim for their first 2-0 start since 2010. Talented senior lineman Josh Dutton is one of the many two-way players who saw plenty of rest.

York (1-0) at Proviso East (1-0)Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: First-year Dukes coach Matt Monken was pleased about last week's clean play with few penalties and a lack of turnovers. A great offensive line effort netted more than 300 rushing yards from Kyle Coughlin and Lucas and Morgan Alexander.