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Tri-Cities Week 5 football previews

By Dave Oberhelman

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Bartlett (2-2, 1-1)

at West Aurora (0-4, 0-2)

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

Last year: Did not play.

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 49, Bartlett 7; Metea Valley 42, West Aurora 13.

Outlook: West Aurora coach Nate Eimer said, "I didn't expect to be here right now" at 0-4 and neither did this writer. The Blackhawks have potential game-breakers in DaQuan Cross and Drake Spears (back this week from injury), a pounding back in T.J. Jackson and an experienced offensive line. But after a decent first couple game against Geneva and Plainfield East, West hit a wall. Supporting his backs, Eimer may go to the air a bit more as the connection between quarterback Johnathon Doyle and receiver Philip Mallory, while emerging late last week, was effective. Metea scoring on a punt return and on a fumble recovery and return put the Blackhawks in an early bind, but they also allowed 7.3 yards a carry, way too large a number. Now comes Bartlett with experienced quarterback Jordan Flint but mainly junior tailback Nolan Bernat, who gashed Metea for 175 yards and had a 200-yard game against Notre Dame. "Their running back is special," Eimer said. With Bernat emerging behind blocking backs, it's a power scheme that'll test West Aurora's defensive gap control, tenacity, resilience and guts. Whether it's running the ball behind left guard Karl Fowler and friends - and Jackson did have a solid game against Metea with 77 yards rushing, while Cross was totally contained - or stopping the run, West simply must get better."We've got to get back and improve, and I think it boils down to toughness," Eimer said.

Next week: Neuqua Valley (2-2, 2-0) at West Aurora, Oct. 3; Glenbard East (3-1, 1-1) at Bartlett, Oct. 3.

Bishop McNamara (3-1, 2-0)

at Aurora Christian (4-0, 1-0)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Last year: Did not play.

Last week: Bishop McNamara 27, St. Laurence 21; Aurora Christian 43, St. Ignatius 28.

Outlook: St. Laurence and Leo remain on Aurora Christian's Chicago Catholic League White Division schedule, but this game looks to be the one to determine the conference championship. Both are big, hard-hitting units with quick-strike offensive ability. Aurora Christian's sources of scoring are diverse and just got more so with receiver Jeremiah Wiggins' full return from injury, while the player the Eagles must at least contain is Fighting Irish tailback Johnathan Ward. Quarterback Brent Hakeman-to-Chris Bell is a long pass threat, but Ward is the guy. All-conference as a sophomore, he broke his second carry this season for a 68-yard touchdown run against IC Catholic, a game in which Ward's 208 yards rushing paced a 41-0 victory. IC Catholic rarely gets pushed around like that, but it's because 40-year "Bishop Mac" coach Rich Zinnani has guys like 6-foot-4, 285-pound Tanner Goss, 6-3, 315 Trevor Rapp and 220-pound linebacker Bryce Clark. Aurora Christian coach David Beebe pointed to his offensive line of Brock Whelan, Matt Ward, Jake Smith, Ross Krantz and Sean Kuhn to provide sustained drives and pick up the blitz against the sound-tackling Irish. Last week was the first this year Aurora Christian quarterback Austin Bray didn't go over 200 yards passing, yet the Eagles had their top ground effort of 171 yards led by Bray's 83 and 75 by Nick Edlund, already with 12 touchdowns running and receiving. Finishing games remains Beebe's goal and that'll come into bear particularly with a back like Ward. "The problem is on this turf you can never relax," Beebe said. "He can go the distance on any down."

Next week: Hales Franciscan (3-1) at Bishop McNamara, Oct. 3; St. Rita (4-0) at Aurora Christian, Oct. 3.

DeKalb (4-0, 1-0)

at Kaneland (2-2, 0-1)

Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

Last year: Kaneland 35, DeKalb 12.

Last week: DeKalb 55, Sycamore 40 (OT); Yorkville 41, Kaneland 25.

Outlook: Falling to Rich Central in Week 3 and to Yorkville last week, it was the first time Kaneland had lost consecutive games since the advent of the forward pass - actually since 2008, but it feels like that. Now, however, is no time for panic or to sulk. "It's a long season and what happens in Week 3 and 4 doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot," Knights coach Tom Fedderly said. The goal, of course, is not to extend the streak to a third game, a possibility against a DeKalb team that averages 46 points, is vying for its first Northern Illinois Big XII East title and its first anywhere since 1989. Illinois commit Dre Brown already has run for 827 yards according to the Daily Chronicle, but he is not alone. Fellow backs Tony Tate and Eriq Torrey as well as sophomore quarterback Derek Kyler all are double-wing threats with their jet sweeps accompanying Brown's midline blasts. Run defense is a concern after Yorkville ran for 368 yards, but this should have a different complexion, bringing athletes on both sides into space, like Kaneland linebackers Jake Gomes, Steven VanHorn and Brandon Kigyos. Three interceptions didn't help the Knights against Yorkville, but Fedderly was pleased not only with the return of tailback Isaac Swithers from injury - he scored twice last week and was more confident in practice this week, Fedderly said - but also the leadership and attitude from seniors such as his own son, Connor. "Our big goal this week was to come out and have a good week of practice, and our seniors led the way. I've been really happy with that," Tom Fedderly said.

Next week: Morris (2-2, 0-0) at DeKalb, Oct. 3; Kaneland at Sycamore (2-2, 0-1), Oct. 3.

Elgin (0-4, 0-2)

at Geneva (4-0, 2-0)

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

Last year: Geneva 42, Elgin 20.

Last week: West Chicago 26, Elgin 12; Geneva 31, St. Charles North 13.

Outlook: Geneva is up to No. 5 in The Associated Press Class 7A poll. Coach Rob Wicinski cautions against taking the winless Maroons lightly after last year's game against underdog Larkin required a comeback. "If you just don't take care of business and be sound, the next thing you know you're in a track meet, and we really want to avoid that," he said. Elgin's main weapons include Terrance Miller-Allen and Dontrell Gaddy. A sophomore, Gaddy has bounced among several positions for Elgin including quarterback. He briefly sparked the Maroons against West Chicago, running for 51 yards with a touchdown and returning a punt 61 yards too score. Depth, numbers and strength at the line of scrimmage will benefit Geneva as will its practicing against a familiar 4-man defensive line. Wicinski is looking for defensive backs Sean Chambers, Brock Perry and Donny Friedell to be sound, but Elgin's wishbone and spread sets will be hard-pressed to penetrate lineman Steve Kemp and linebacker Wyatt Shodeen, who tied for last week's tackles lead at 10 apiece. Geneva had a strong defensive effort last week against St. Charles North. Cornerback Pace Temple provided the highlight with a 32-yard interception return for touchdown. As an aside to this game, graduated Geneva star receiver Kyle Brown has been invited to join the Vikings on the sideline; he is now a redshirt freshman at Pittsburgh.

Next week: Streamwood (1-3, 1-1) at Elgin, Oct. 3; Geneva at St. Charles East (1-3, 1-1), Oct. 3.

IC Catholic Prep (1-3, 0-0)

at Aurora Central Catholic (4-0, 0-0)

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

Last year: IC Catholic 21, Aurora Central Catholic 14.

Last week: St. Edward 35, IC Catholic 28; Aurora Central Catholic 48, Guerin 18.

Outlook: Aurora Central Catholic plays its first game in the Metro Suburban Conference West division, facing longtime nemesis IC Catholic, the former Immaculate Conception. ACC has not won this rivalry game since it beat the Knights 20-6 in 1998, a 15-game losing streak. Turnovers, and that mental hurdle, are factors for the Chargers. In last year's game they drove to the IC 1-yard line and lost a fumble; IC also broke a 7-7 halftime tie with an interception return for touchdown. The main men for IC Catholic remain the same, quarterback Rhashaun Epting and running back Jordan Rowell, but while Epting can break free out of the read option and with about anyone but he is not a passing threat. When the Knights rallied from a 35-14 deficit last week against St. Edward, it was freshman quarterback Luke Ricobene who passed them into position. ACC's secondary of Roman Padilla, Alex Schuler, Griffin Zajac and Brendan Ruehl, who has 3 interceptions, will be ready. Alternately the Chargers - who have outscored their opposition 84-13 in the first half - have rediscovered the forward pass. Matt Rahn threw for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns last week then ACC salted Guerin away on the ground with Padilla, who ran for 160 yards. Chargers receivers Colin Baillie, Mario May and Sean Tobin also are no shorter than 6-4, and St. Edward exploited height advantages on perimeter fade routes. There are many keys for ACC to break its losing streak to the Knights - don't let Rowell and Epting find open space, mix up tempo, no turnovers, balanced offense, sustained drives like last week's 97- and 99-yarders. "Also we're going to have to finish," coach Brian Casey said. "That's what we haven't done against IC in a couple years."

Next week: Riverside-Brookfield (2-2, 0-0) at IC Catholic, Oct. 4; Aurora Central Catholic at Fenton (4-0, 0-0), Oct. 3.

St. Charles East (1-3, 1-1)

at Streamwood (1-3, 1-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Elgin's Memorial Stadium.

Last year: St. Charles East 42, Streamwood 27.

Last week: Batavia 40, St. Charles East 7; Streamwood 27, Larkin 21.

Outlook: Streamwood is 0-10 against the Saints since the split with St. Charles North, and St. Charles East's dominance over the Sabres extends to at least 1996 (the teams did not play from 2001-04). St. Charles East has racked up 40-plus points in seven of the past nine meetings. Yet this is not a gimme. From the mouth of Saints coach Bryce Farquhar himself his team has not played for a full four quarters, and if the Saints prove susceptible to the pass, Streamwood quarterback Max Draper and receiver Noah Polich will make them pay. The duo combined for 10 catches, 187 yards and 2 touchdowns against Larkin, and Draper passed for 335 yards total. (The Sabres didn't play a full game either, letting a 27-0 halftime lead slip.) Defensively, Farquhar said Streamwood's three-man front has beef, and if Sabres coach Mark Orszula watched last week's film, he saw Batavia crowd the box to take away St. Charles East running back Ramon Lopez and force quarterback Aiden Wright to throw. Batavia's a different animal, and one of the Saints' strengths remains offensive line experience with Jack Sharkey, Brennan Bosch, Eddie Harriett, Zach Reyes and Matt Doyle. Another strength is receiver Jake Asquini, who in his return to the sport is among this team's MVPs. Establishing the run but also maintaining offensive balance - and not getting beat deep - could help continue the Saints' streak over the Sabres. "We know we have some great kids and know we have the ability, we've just got to put it all together," Farquhar said.

Next week: Geneva (4-0, 2-0) at St. Charles East, Oct. 3; Streamwood at Elgin (0-4, 0-2), Oct. 3.

St. Charles North (3-1, 1-1)

at Batavia (3-1, 2-0)

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

Last year: Batavia 44, St. Charles North 7.

Last week: Geneva 31, St. Charles North 13; Batavia 40, St. Charles East 7.

Outlook: St. Charles North took its first loss last week to the No. 5 team in Class 7A; now comes No. 6, the defending 6A champion."When we play these great teams there's no wiggle room, we have to execute," North Stars coach Rob Pomazak said. Part of that is not giving teams great field position; Pomazak estimated Geneva's average starting field position at the St. Charles North 47-yard line. To that end, he switched quarterbacks to senior Nathan Didier from junior Kyle Novotney last week, and said Didier will get the nod Friday. Also, with tailback Dom Sidari still out, sophomore Eric Lins made his varsity debut last week, adding 34 yards rushing to provide both quarterbacks with another, much-needed option. "You can't run a read-option offense with one guy getting the carries," he said. And you can't keep Batavia off-balance without a passing game, so count on Didier to also target Tyler Mettetal and Jayson Reckards. This all starts up front, though, and Batavia's blitzing scheme is a ton. The North Stars must account not only for Bulldogs defensive linemen Josh Leonhard, Jon Wall, Noah Frazier and Jake Birkhaug but also for attacking linebackers such as Joe Gross, Colin Thurston and particularly Jake Hlava, who already has 9.5 sacks. "I think we're the best defense they've seen all year," said Batavia coach Dennis Piron. The versatility of Batavia's offense also is a load. Headed by Blake Crowder's 127 yards rushing against St. Charles East and the passing combo of Evan Acosta and Kyle Niemiec targeting Canaan Coffey, Peyton Piron and Crowder, the Bulldogs ran for 211 yards and threw for 211. As Piron noted, however, "everybody's had trouble running the ball against St. Charles North." That's because defensive linemen Dalton Young and Jordan Bergren have yet to be stopped, as well as linebackers Carson Schmitt and two-way player Brendan McCarthy, who made 17 tackles last week against Geneva. Batavia linemen Patrick Gamble and Co. will have their chance to move these guys. Aside from the need to simply get the ball in the end zone, Pomazak said his main concern is: "Batavia is Batavia - well-balanced offense, extremely well coached, and they know success."

Next week: Larkin (0-4, 0-2) at St. Charles North, Oct. 3; Batavia at West Chicago (2-2, 1-1).

Marmion: Marmion's forfeit win against would-be Chicago Catholic League crossover opponent St. Francis de Sales on Friday is both good and bad for the Cadets.

It's good in the sense that banged-up Marmion players like running back and linebacker Lucas Warren can rest after a 37-7 loss at Providence Catholic dropped the Cadets to 3-1 on the season.

It's bad because after absorbing a punishing loss Marmion can't just hop right back on its horse.

"It is unfortunate," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said, "because after getting beat up like we did Friday night the best thing is to get right back at it."

St. Francis de Sales had played as an independent since 2001 but accepted an opening to return to the Chicago Catholic League, in the Red division. The Pioneers officially suspended their season Sept. 5. An announcement on the de Sales website indicated this possibility as early as February, and Thorpe said Marmion anticipated the forfeit in April but did not schedule another opponent being "respectful to the league," he said.

"They thought they would (be able to field a team) in April," Thorpe said. "They had every intention to fill in their obligation. They have been professional from the very get-go. I'm not just blowing smoke, they have been. They feel awful about this."

St. Francis de Sales executive director Janet Cobb said the reason for the suspension was simple: "Not enough guys."

She said coach John Terry had a roster of about 20 players but preseason injuries ruled out continuing the season.

"We're suspending (the program), not canceling," Cobb said. "We hope to bring it back on the JV (junior varsity) level next year. We have a lot of younger guys interested in playing but they're not ready for varsity."

St. Francis de Sales canceled its first two games then released its next seven opponents from the scheduling commitment. Last season, as an independent, the Pioneers forfeited their final six games in an 0-9 season.

Thorpe noted his disappointment for Terry and the team, and reiterated his respect with how de Sales handled the situation.

"They're not happy and they fully understand the dilemma they put other schools in," Thorpe said. "That was appreciated, and that's why they contacted us as soon as they knew it was going to be an issue. They contacted us within hours, not days."

Marmion gets credited with a 1-0 victory that will boost its record to 4-1. Thorpe would much rather have earned it.

"Nobody wins with a forfeit," he said.

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