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Football: Scouting Week 4 in the Fox Valley

Westminster Christian (1-2, 1-2) at Kirkland Hiawatha (3-0, 3-0)When/where: today at 7 p.m.

Last year: Kirkland Hiawatha 40, Westminster Christian 27

Last week: Kirkland Hiawatha 45, Christian Liberty Academy 0; Ottawa Marquette 34, Westminster Christian 8

Outlook: Quarterback Max Tucker's status is unclear. Tucker was taken to the hospital after last week's game with concussion symptoms. He won't play again until cleared by the trainer. "I really want to play but it's not my call," Tucker said Wednesday, "so I just need to continue to be a leader and help my guys prepare and get better. If I can't play, I'm just like another offensive coordinator. That's how coach put it, so I will embrace that." Sophomore wide receiver Scott Graziano took snaps with the offense in practice this week, according to coach John Davis. The Warriors scored their only touchdown last week on a 96-yard run by sophomore Xavier Brown, who has rushed 33 times for 230 yards. Through 3 victories, the Hawks have gained 75 percent of their 953 total yards via the ground game. Leading the way are senior Nick Doolittle (54 carries, 374 yards, 4 TD) and sophomore Braden Watson (25 carries, 181 yards, TD). Senior quarterback Evan Williams has completed 13 of 27 attempts for 243 yards. He has thrown 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Next: Ottawa Marquette (2-1) at Kirkland Hiawatha; Alden-Hebron (2-1) at Westminster Christian

Burlington Central (1-2, 1-0) at Harvard (1-2, 0-1)When/where: today at 7 p.m. at Dan Horne Field

Last year: Harvard 17, Burlington Central 13

Last week: Burlington Central 29, North Boone 0; Richmond-Burton 34, Harvard 3-0

Outlook: The Rockets never doubted they were a good team, even if an 0-2 start didn't show it. Back on track after a convincing win last week in the Big Northern East opener, Central invades Harvard intent on knocking off the defending league champs. "We had a chance to win both of the first 2 games. We still believed we were a good football team," Central coach Rich Crabel said. "We did some of the little things better. We just needed to start blocking better." The Rockets also pulled a surprise from a scheme standpoint. "We got into a power set offense we hadn't shown anybody yet," Crabel said. "I think we caught them off guard a little bit." Central is averaging 310 yards per game. Quarterback Robert Doubek has thrown for 495 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 32-of-66 passing. Central's leading receivers are Brenden Bushy (15 rec., 242 yards, 3 TD) and Ryan Anderson (4 rec., 131 yards). Junior Jason Berango leads Central in rushing with 218 yards and 4 touchdowns on 42 carries and has 5 receptions for 36 yards. Senior running back Trevor Davison has carried 33 times for 131 yards and has 3 catches for 55 yards. Harvard, under first-year coach Sean Saylor, is using a lot of the same offensive formations Central uses. "Across the board it's sets we've been going against in practice forever," Crabel said. "We've seen them in pro set, twins and they'll jump into four-wide when they're behind. We have a good scouting report on them. Unless things have changed this week, we feel comfortable that our kids will read their keys and get where they're supposed to be." Hornets quarterback Peyton Schneider has thrown for 3 touchdowns and over 400 yards.

Next: Genoa-Kingston (1-2, 1-0) at Burlington Central; Marengo (2-1, 0-1) at Harvard

Hampshire (2-1) at Huntley (3-0)When/where: today at 7:15 p.m. at Huntley athletic field

Last meeting (2002): Huntley 20, Hampshire 6

Last week: Hampshire 31, Grayslake Central 14; Huntley 65, Gary West, Ind. 8

Outlook: The competition gets tougher for Huntley in this Fox Valley Conference crossover. Following two blowout wins, the Red Raiders should face a stiffer test from neighboring Hampshire. These schools played each other annually through 2002, until Huntley left the Big Northern East for the Fox Valley Conference. Hampshire likewise jumped from the Big Northern to the FVC in 2011, but this marks the first time the former rivals have met since Huntley was a Class 4A school and Hampshire was in 3A. Huntley is now a Class 8A school. Hampshire is in 5A and projected to keep growing. The new-look Whip-Purs are directed by first-year coach Mike Brasile. The spread offense the Woodstock High grad installed this summer is yielding results. The Whip-Purs average 24 points per game, led by quarterback Nick Mohlman. The senior has thrown for 714 yards and 6 touchdowns on 55-of-83 passing. He has been intercepted twice. However, Mohlman left last week's win with a leg injury and status remains uncertain for Huntley. "He's day to day," Brasile said Wednesday. "He's trying to get back to 100 percent as quickly as possible. He's able to run around a bit, but I'm not sure whether he'll be able to go. If not, we'll go to war with the guys we've got. The good thing about this team is we have a next-man-up mentality. We've had quite a few injuries and the next guy has stepped up and done a good job for us." Jared Lund finished the Grayslake Central game at quarterback. Brasile said Jeremy Curran and Matt Bridges are also options if Mohlman can't start. Huntley has its own share of injury issues. After losing offensive lineman Dominic Swanson in Week 1 to a broken leg, the team has lost another returning starting lineman. Senior Luke Scarbro (6-4, 265) left last week's game due to a non-football related back injury, according to John Hart, and may miss the rest of the season. Nevertheless, the running game has accounted for 621 of the offense's 1,053 total yards. A big reason is the blocking of senior H-back Jake Witt (5-9, 220). "He's scored a touchdown in every game and he's very, very physical," Huntley coach John Hart said. "He loves the game of football and he plays it the right way. It's refreshing. All he cares about is his team." Huntley won the last 2 meetings between the programs in 2001 and 2002 after years of Hampshire dominance.

Next: Hampshire at Urbana (0-3); Huntley at Cary-Grove (3-0)

Woodstock North (1-2) at Cary-Grove (3-0)When/where: today at 7:15 p.m. at Al Bohrer Field

Last meeting (2010): Cary-Grove 42, Woodstock North 7

Last week: Cary-Grove 42, Grayslake North 7; Woodstock North 28, Woodstock 0

Outlook: The No. 1 team in Class 7A looks to keep its momentum going in the first of three straight home games. Sophomore fullback Tyler Pennington has followed his outstanding offensive line 72 times for 408 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has one receiving touchdown. The Trojans have rushed for 917 yards against three teams, two of which were highly ranked. The Thunder used its triple-option attack to run past rival Woodstock last week. The Woodstock North offense is triggered by quarterback Jimmy Krenger, who has rushed for over 250 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. "He'd look good in navy and white," Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. "He's a tough kid and he plays free safety, too. As a starting quarterback he runs hard and runs the triple option real well. He's a really talented player." However, Krenger isn't the only Woodstock North player starting both ways, which could give the mostly full-platoon Trojans a distinct advantage as the game progresses. Cary-Grove leads this series 2-0. The Trojans defeated the Thunder 56-0 in Woodstock North's first season of varsity football in 2009.

2004 team honored: Cary-Grove celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the 2004 state runner-up team this weekend. That squad, which placed second in Class 7A, put the program on the successful path it has maintained since. Cary-Grove football struggled in the seasons leading up to 2004. Between 2000-03, the Trojans went 15-21 and missed the playoffs four straight seasons. The 2004 team - led by quarterback Brian Mitz, fullback Will Yocius, 6-foot-6 tight end Tom Oswald, then-junior linebacker Alex Kube and then-sophomore safety Andrew Lorman - changed the program dynamic by setting a higher bar for the off-season workouts that continue to this day. Since 2004, Cary-Grove has won 85.7 percent of its games (108-18), 7 conference or division titles in the Fox Valley, made 10 straight playoff appearances, reached 7 quarterfinals, took second in state twice (2004, 2012) and won the Class 6A title in 2009. Several members of the 2004 team were scheduled to join the 2014 players and coaches for the team dinner on Thursday night, and approximately 10 members of the '04 team, including Yocius, Oswald and Lorman, are expected to represent their team when it is recognized at the game, according to Seaburg.

Next: Huntley (3-0) at Cary-Grove; Crystal Lake Central (2-1) at Woodstock North

Prairie Ridge (2-1) at Dundee-Crown (2-1)When/where: today at 7:15 p.m. at the D-C Bowl

Last year: Prairie Ridge 42, Dundee 0

Last week: Prairie Ridge 31, Crystal Lake Central 21; Morris 27, Dundee-Crown 0

Outlook: The Chargers faced a physical team last week at Morris, but many of their breakdowns were mental, first-year coach Mike Steinhaus said. He credits his team for adjusting new defensive and offensive systems this season, but last week's outing was a step back, particularly for the offensive line. He said that unit made too many unacceptable mental errors and had too many missed assignments. Defensively, the Chargers struggled with two starters missing in the secondary. Ball State-bound safety/running back Malik Dunner did not play and is remains questionable this week due to an ankle injury, according to his coach. The Chargers will get a lift from junior cornerback Nick Musielewicz, who is expected to return to action from injury in this Fox Valley Conference crossover. The D-C defense will face a Prairie Ridge triple-option offense that scored 28 points last week with quarterback Brett Covalt behind center. Junior Luke Annen started at running back after playing quarterback in Weeks 1 and 2. Junior fullback Dean Brown gave PR a 7-point lead in the second half against rival Crystal Lake Central when he ran for a 68-yard touchdown. "They are explosive in the run game and their quarterback is a good player who knows how to run the ball," Steinhaus said. "They always have three options with the ball. They are well coached and play fast. Defensively, they all run to the ball. They have high motors." The Prairie Ridge defense last week gave up 320 rushing yards to CL Central running back Ryan Williams. The Chargers hope to enjoy similar success with senior running back Caleb Parson, who was unable to play last week due to an ankle injury but is expected to return this week, Steinhaus said.

Next: Prairie Ridge at Grayslake North (1-2); Dundee-Crown at Jacobs (2-1)

Crystal Lake Central (2-1) at Crystal Lake South (1-2)

When/where: today at 7:15 p.m. at Ken Bruhn Field

Last year: Crystal Lake South 14, Crystal Lake Central 7

Last week: Bloom Township 23, Crystal Lake South 13; Prairie Ridge 31, Crystal Lake Central 21

Outlook: The Gators enter this crosstown rivalry coming off a game they feel they should have won. Four interceptions and penalties at key times undermined CL South in a road loss at Bloom. "We felt we cost ourselves the win," coach Chuck Ahsmann said. "We didn't feel necessarily like we got beat. We just made too many mistakes. You can't do that or good teams will beat you. We worked hard during the week to clean some things up." The bright spot for CL South's offense thus far has been junior tailback Corey Sheehan. He has 360 yards and a touchdown on 65 carries to go with 6 receptions for 54 yards. The team's leading receiver is senior Tyler Baker (8 rec., 142 yards, 2 TD). The Crystal Lake South defense is tasked with slowing CL Central running back Ryan Williams, who tore through Prairie Ridge defense last week for 320 yards. "He's not a scat back; he's a power back that powers ahead," Ahsmann said. "He also has the speed to break through. I think he had 3 runs of more than 50 yards. We have to stop the run, but the big thing really is limiting our mistakes. We can't beat ourselves. If Crystal Lake Central beats us, they beat us and hats off to them. But we have to curtail our mistakes."

Next: Crystal Lake South at McHenry (1-2); Crystal Lake Central at Woodstock North (1-2)

Grayslake Central (0-3) at Jacobs (2-1)When/where: today at 7:15 p.m. at Jacobs athletic field

Last meeting (2010): Jacobs 24, Grayslake Central 0

Last week: Jacobs 42, Whitney Young 0; Hampshire 31, Grayslake Central 14

Outlook: The Golden Eagles try to extend their winning streak to 3 games in this Fox Valley Conference crossover. The Jacobs offense is piling up points and yards. Last week that unit rushed for 317 yards, bringing its season total to 853. The Eagles have gained 65 percent of their 1,307 total yards via the ground game. Senior Josh Walker has 441 yards and 6 touchdowns in 59 attempts. The unsung hero of the running game has been junior Sean Barnes, a highly effective lead blocker at the H-back position. "It doesn't show up stats-wise, but he had a great game blocking for Josh last week," Mitz said. "He was the player of the week for us. Just an unbelievable job blocking and he's really instrumental in a lot of our protections. I can't say enough about him." The Jacobs defense is coming off its first shutout in 10 games. They will face a Grayslake Central offense that Hampshire limited last week to 126 total yards, 76 on the ground. Mitz is more focused on his players than the opponents. "I'm just worried about us getting better, each player, and not taking a step back," Mitz said. "We want to keep progressing, keep the machine moving and keep getting better." These teams have not met since 2010. The Golden Eagles are 8-5 against the Rams since Grayslake joined the Fox Valley Conference in 1997.

Next: Dundee-Crown (2-0) at Jacobs; Grayslake Central at Woodstock (0-3)

Elgin (0-3, 0-1) at West Chicago (1-2, 0-1)When/where: today at 7:30 p.m.

Last week: St. Charles East 40, Elgin 0; St. Charles North 27, West Chicago 6

Outlook: The Maroons spent a large portion of their practice time this week addressing offensive line issues. Though the team has plenty of difference-making skill-position players, too many missed assignments along the front line have kept Elgin from maximizing its offensive potential. The offense has been held to 163 rushing yards in 3 games. "We're trying to get our linemen going," coach Kyle Rohde said. "We need to be able to establish the running game because (quarterback) Terrance (Miller-Allen) throws better out of the play-action game, but our line play has been inconsistent." Miller-Allen has completed 27 of 62 passes for 382 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 2 scores. He has been intercepted 3 times. Elgin faces a West Chicago offense that puts the ball in the air. The Wildcats, coached by former St. Charles East and Metea Valley coach Ted Monken, have thrown the ball 89 times in 3 games. In a 26-24, Week 1 victory at East Aurora, 6-foot-2 senior quarterback Peyton Seidler threw for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns but was intercepted 4 times. "They beat East Aurora, which we didn't do last year, so it's not like we can afford to look past anybody," Rohde said. "We're just trying to keep a winner's mentality. We have to have a breakthrough at some point." Elgin junior linebacker Anthony Sharks (6-2, 185) is expected to play after missing last week's game due to injury.

Next: Elgin at Geneva (3-0, 1-0); West Chicago at Larkin (0-3, 0-1)

Streamwood (0-3, 0-1) at Larkin (0-3, 0-1)When/where: today at 7:30 at Memorial Field

Last year: Larkin 27, Streamwood 21

Last week: Geneva 46, Streamwood 12; Batavia 49, Larkin 6

Outlook: One of these District U-46 rivals will walk away from Memorial Field with its first victory of the season. The Sabres aim to avenge last season's loss to the Royals behind an improved offense that has passed for 751 yards and rushed for 364. Junior Tae Reetz leads the running game with 34 carries for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has 8 catches for 65 yards. Senior quarterback Max Draper has completed 65 of 120 attempts for 751 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has thrown 5 interceptions. Draper's top targets have been senior receivers Noah Polich (31 rec., 403 yards, 3 TD), Cole Segar (11-140-0) and Cody Jayko (1-111- 2). However, that unit was limited last week to 204 total yards against a ranked Geneva team. "We just need to execute the plays we run," Streamwood coach Mark Orszula said. "Against a good football team we couldn't get our offense moving. To be successful we have to make the right reads and the line has to do a good job blocking up front. Last week was disappointing for me as an offensive line coach because our guys were not doing the techniques that we taught them. We took a step back so we'll see if that gets better." Larkin coach Dragan Teonic said Streamwood is far better than its 0-3 record indicates. "They lost a lopsided game to Geneva, but Geneva tried to line up and grind the ball against Streamwood and they didn't get away with it until later in the second half," Teonic said. "Their linebackers are as good as anyone we've faced so far and their wide receivers and running backs are real good. They are better than people give them credit for." Larkin's first-year coach and his staff continue to impress upon the Royals the importance of practicing at a high level on a daily basis. "Really good teams attack practice with a gamelike intensity," Teonic said. "I'm not worried about our talent level, but in order to win and be successful you have to earn it. Right now we're struggling to connect with (the players), getting them to understand what it takes in practice to be a good team."

Next: St. Charles East (1-2, 1-0) at Streamwood; West Chicago (1-2, 0-1) at Larkin

Waubonsie Valley (3-0, 1-0) at Bartlett (2-1, 1-0)When/where: today at 7:30 p.m. at Millennium Field

Last year: Waubonsie Valley 47, Bartlett 6

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 49, East Aurora 6; Bartlett 14, Metea Valley 3

Outlook: Tough defense has been the calling card of Bartlett playoff teams of the last decade-plus. The 2014 edition looks to be but from the same cloth. Coordinator Erik Kramer's defense has not surrendered a touchdown in its last 8 quarters against Niles Notre Dame and Metea Valley. "Coach Kramer is calling a good game and the kids have learned each other's responsibilities," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "We have to make sure we have those responsibilities down this week because (running back Tony Durns) is tougher than nails." A big-time playmaker with game-altering speed, Durns has rushed for 469 yards on 51 carries, including touchdown runs of 54, 61, 44 and 36 yards. He also made the difference in Waubonsie Valley's 27-20 win at Oswego in Week 2 with a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that snapped a fourth-quarter tie. Durns averages more rushing yards per game by himself (156) than the Bartlett defense allows total (119). Meaney said the offense will try to strike a better balance against Waubonsie Valley after wet conditions the last two weeks hampered the passing game. "We went to the ground game a lot because of the rain, but against real good teams like Waubonsie Valley you can't be one dimensional. You have to be two-dimensional and keep them honest." Bartlett owns a 6-5 lead in the series since it began in 1999, but the Warriors have had the edge recently. Waubonsie Valley has won the last 2 meetings between these schools and 4 of the last 5. The Hawks will be without 6-foot-5 junior tight end Jason Hasenberg for at least two weeks due to injury, Meaney said.

Next: Waubonsie Valley at Glenbard East (2-1, 0-1); Bartlett at West Aurora (0-3, 0-1)

St. Edward (3-0) at IC Catholic Prep (1-2)When/where: Saturday at 1 p.m. at Jack Lewis Stadium at Plunkett Park

Last year: IC Catholic Prep 21, St. Edward 17

Last week: IC Catholic Prep 35, Walther Christian 0; St. Edward 33, Riverside-Brookfield 7

Outlook: St. Edward and IC have played each other for decades dating back to the days of the West Suburban Catholic Conference, but the rivalry deepened in 2009. After losing 5 straight games to the Knights and 9 in 10 years, the Green Wave rose up to defeat the then-defending Class 2A state champions 46-38. It was the turning point in modern St. Edward football history. After years spent struggling to develop a competitive program, coach Mike Rolando proclaimed afterward "it was time to put that rebuilding word to sleep." St. Ed's went on to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003 and defeated IC again in 2010, 42-0. The teams didn't meet in 2011. IC won each of the last two seasons, including a nail biter last year as the Knights stopped a St. Edward run on fourth-and-3 at the IC 36 to seal the win. "It's definitely a rivalry game, and it has been since we were good enough to be considered a rival." Rolando said. "These kids compete against each other in multiple sports. They have no trouble getting up for this game. This is a critical game in the season and another true test. Each week seems to be a real test for us. Riverside-Brookfield was a good one last week and I thought the boys rose to the occasion. They'll have to do that and then some to compete with IC. It's a good team. We're not fooled by their record. They played ranked teams and lost." In Week 1, the Knights lost their season opener 41-0 to Bishop McNamara, currently ranked No. 6 in Class 4A. They lost 22-14 in Week 2 at previously ranked Breese Mater Dei (2-1). Both IC touchdowns against Mater Dei came on 98-yard runs by 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore Jordan Rowell. He scored again last week on a 68-yard screen pass. Against Walther, IC quarterback Rashaun Epting ran for more than 117 yards on only 4 carries, including touchdown runs of 48 and 46 yards, according to mysuburbanlife.com. Epting is a Division I basketball prospect who was visited this week by Furman, according to a tweet from ICCP Basketball. St. Edward ran the ball successfully last week behind junior Dwayne Allen, who finished with 3 touchdowns. He has rushed for 328 yards and 5 touchdowns in 64 attempts (5.1 avg.).

Next: IC Catholic Prep at Aurora Central Catholic (3-0); St. Edward at Guerin (1-2)

Neuqua Valley (1-2, 1-0) at South Elgin (2-1, 1-0)When/where: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at South Elgin Stadium

Last year: Neuqua Valley 40, South Elgin 34

Last week: Neuqua Valley 20, Glenbard East 6; South Elgin

Outlook: This is a rematch of one of 2013's great slugfests. The Storm and the Wildcats combined to score 61 second-half points, and the game wasn't decided until Mikey Dudek caught a 35 yard touchdown pass with 41 seconds left to lift Neuqua. South Elgin amassed better than 500 yards in that meeting, including a pair of 70-plus-yard touchdown runs by running back Shawn Griffin. The Storm offense appears just as potent this season, averaging 46.7 points and 502 yards through 3 games against St. Charles East, Crystal Lake South and West Aurora. South Elgin remains as prolific a passing team behind quarterback Hayden Nelson, who has completed 39 of 59 attempts for 681 yards and 7 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. However, the Storm run the ball far better than they did a year ago, thanks to a pair of healthy running backs in the speedy Griffin (34 carries, 384 yards, 4 rushing TDs, 1 receiving) and athletic power back Kyle Ware (32 carries, 249 yards, 4 rushing TDs, 1 receiving). With the talent at running back and our improved offensive line play, it's quite a relief to be able to fhand the ball off and not have to take a deep breath," South Elgin coach Pat Pistorio said. "We have a lot of competitors out on the perimeter at receiver who want the ball, too, and we're trying to find ways to get the ball into everyone's hands, do a good job of mixing it up and keeping people guessing." Pistorio said wide receivers like Andrew Kamienski (16 rec., 349 yards, 4 TD), Derek Kumerow (10 rec., 175 yards, 4 TD), and banged-up senior Nick Menken (9 rec., 139 yards, TD) have taken pride in their downfield blocking on running plays and consider themselves an extension of the offensive line when a running play is called. That offense will contend with a Neuqua Valley defense that limits opponents to averages of 13 points and 206 total yards per game. Neuqua Valley has played press coverage against opposing offenses this year, Pistorio said. "It's something we don't see a lot of," he said. "Our guys out on the perimeter are looking forward to that challenge."

Noteworthy: The Storm will wear camouflage jerseys for its military appreciation day on Saturday, and fans will have the opportunity to donate to the Wounded Warrior fund. Members of every branch of military service will be represented at the game. South Elgin scoring plays will be celebrated with the firing of a cannon, which is on loan this week from the Northern Illinois football program.

Next: East Aurora (0-3, 0-1) at Neuqua Valley; Metea Valley (1-2, 0-1) at South Elgin

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