Previewing Week 8 Tri-Cities area football games
By Dave Oberhelman
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
Aurora Central Catholic (5-2, 1-2)
at Riverside-Brookfield (5-2, 3-0)
Metro Suburban West
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Did not play.
Last week: Glenbard South 20, Aurora Central Catholic 7; Riverside-Brookfield 49, Fenton 6.
Outlook: The Metro West conference race is down to Glenbard South and R-B, but Aurora Central is not out of a playoff slot - though with just 29 playoff points thus far the Chargers will probably need one more win for a third straight trip. The R-B Bulldogs will test ACC defenders like linebacker and top tackler Sam Kielty by sending tailback Matt Chapp behind a decently-sized line, a home-run hitter on par with IC Catholic's Jordan Rowell. The goal is to keep Chapp from reaching the sidelines and going long. The Chargers will challenge R-B to keep up with them on the scoreboard, as ACC has outscored teams 112-22 in the first half. While quarterback Matt Rahn averages about 121 yards passing a game and Brandon Babler can torch the perimeter with the best of them, Chargers coach Brian Casey also wants to establish Roman Padilla and a power ground game. Whatever they establish, ACC looks to continue what it started offensively by not stalling in the red zone.
Next week: Aurora Central Catholic at Wheaton Academy (4-3, 0-3), Oct. 24; Riverside-Brookfield at Glenbard South (5-2, 3-0), Oct. 24.
Marmion (5-2)
at Aurora Christian (4-3)
Chicago Catholic League crossover
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Marmion 35, Aurora Christian 14.
Last week: Marmion 49, De La Salle 13; St. Laurence 31, Aurora Christian 28.
Outlook: Marmion holds a 2-1 lead in this fledgling series, Aurora Christian winning in its 2012 championship season. Size up front probably won't be an issue for small-school Aurora Christian with guys like 280-pound Ross Krantz, 350-pound Collin Treest and 6-foot-4, 270-pound star tackle Brock Whelan, but numbers may. Many of the Eagles play both ways while Marmion coach Dan Thorpe counted only Jordan Glasgow, Lucas Warren and Luke Juriga, the lineman who last weekend accepted a full scholarship to Western Michigan. Toward that end, Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said the Cadets will have to dominate the second and fourth quarter - but knows full well Aurora Christian won't quit. It'll be hard for Marmion to get a rush on Eagles quick-release quarterback Austin Bray, who has completed 113 of 197 passes for 1,695 yards, 23 touchdowns; receiver Jacolby Maxwell has 46 receptions for 880 yards, 11 touchdowns. Aurora Christian defenders Joe Betterman and Zach Bosek will have to deal with a Marmion offense that sent Glasgow, Warren and Nate Traxler all over 100 yards rushing against De La Salle, while Rusty Joyce still finds time to hurt teams on play-action bombs. What makes outscoring Aurora Christian particularly urgent for Marmion is with 29 playoff points it's doubtful 5 wins makes the playoffs - and the Cadets get Montini next week.
Next week: Marmion at Montini (4-3, 1-1), Oct 24; Leo (4-3, 1-1) at Aurora Christian, Oct. 24.
Kaneland (2-5)
at LaSalle-Peru (0-7)
Northern Illinois Big XII crossover
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Did not play.
Last week: Morris 26, Kaneland 21; Ottawa 50, LaSalle-Peru 20.
Outlook: Kaneland is in an odd way, out of the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The Knights have lost five straight games, the last three by 15 total points. "We just need a win,"coach Tom Fedderly said, and chances are they'll get one against a team that lost by 30 to 2-5 Ottawa. LaSalle-Peru, which Fedderly said runs a two-back set and a 3-5 defense, must contend with a couple 280-pounders in defensive tackle Andrew Kray and nose tackle Tristan Kinder, in front of middle linebacker Joey Esposito. Last week the combination of quarterback Jake Marczuk to Connor Fedderly racked up 142 more yards with 3 touchdowns; Connor Fedderly now has 775 yards receiving. Isaac Swithers averaged 10 yards a carry in one of his best games since his Week 1 injury, and playoffs or not, Tom Fedderly and his staff look to make the most of this season. "It's our last two weeks with the kids and the team, and we want to enjoy it as coaches being with the kids, too."
Next week: Rochelle (3-4) at Kaneland, Oct. 24; LaSalle-Peru at Morris (3-4), Oct. 24.
West Aurora (2-5, 2-3)
at East Aurora (0-7, 0-5)
Upstate Eight Valley
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last year: West Aurora 46, East Aurora 18.
Last week: West Aurora 27, Waubonsie Valley 24 (2 OT); Metea Valley 48, East Aurora 6.
Outlook: West Aurora comes off its best win in two decades and in the state's oldest football rivalry seeks its most conference wins also for the first time since 2004. Winner of 12 straight over East, the Blackhawks can't simply chalk this up. Though winless, coach Kurt Becker's Tomcats have dangerous special teams, big-play guys like Maurice Nichols and defensive linemen Tim Young and Sergio Barrientos. West Aurora counters with an offense that gained 401 yards against Waubonsie Valley, 156 rushing by DaQuan Cross, 103 by Drake Spears. What separates West, fully healthy for the first time this season, is consistent line play and physicality of players like defensive lineman Alex DeBolt. Joining game-winning kicker Darryl Watkins ready for his close-up is quarterback Johnathon Doyle. Over the second half he's developed his passing game to make the offense two-dimensional. "We're playing good football this year," said Blackhawks coach Nate Eimer.
Next week: Glenbard East (3-4, 1-4) at West Aurora, Oct. 24; East Aurora at Bartlett (3-4, 2-3), Oct. 24.