Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games
By Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
kschmit@dailyherald.com
Marmion (6-2, 2-1) at Montini (5-3, 2-1)
Chicago Catholic Green
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Marmion 56, Aurora Christian 0; Montini 24, Fenwick 7.
Last year: Montini 27, Marmion 3.
Outlook: There will be a co-champion in the CCL Green, the winner of this game joining the winner of St. Francis-Fenwick. Marmion, which lost to Fenwick, could have the satisfaction of beating both St. Francis and Montini, but the host Broncos have won the last four meetings. Rushing for 465 yards and 8 touchdowns against Aurora Christian, Marmion coach Dan Thorpe called his offensive line anchored by Western Michigan recruit Luke Juriga as his collective player of the week. Aurora Christian does much one-platooning and Montini does not, so Marmion backs Nate Traxler, Jordan Glasgow and Lucas Warren should meet Montini linebackers John Embrey and Terrell Johnson more often. Broncos coach Chris Andriano said the key is who can get on top and control the ball. While Montini's passing game hasn't dominated of late, it's still a more consistent threat than Marmion's. A good start offensively is Broncos tailback Prince Walker, 210 yards, 2 touchdowns on Fenwick.
Neuqua Valley (5-3, 5-1) at Metea Valley (5-3, 4-2)
Upstate Eight Valley
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Waubonsie Valley 35, Neuqua Valley 28; Metea Valley 47, Glenbard East 27.
Last year: Neuqua Valley 65, Metea Valley 28.
Outlook: Metea Valley excitedly clinched its first playoff qualification in its five-year history, and its playoff points should be a lock to get in. With an 0-4 record against Neuqua, the Mustangs look to ratchet up this District 204 rivalry. Neuqua should be OK in its playoff hunt and can still tie for the Valley title. Yet after a disappointing loss coach Bill Ellinghaus calls this a must win. Metea quarterback Kyle Mooney and Neuqua's Broc Rutter both are completing at least 55 percent of their passes and have top targets in Metea's 695-yard wideout Nick Dodson and Neuqua's duo of Isaiah Robertson and Evan Moore. Yet it may come down to who can run the ball and stop the run. No one has stopped Metea's Bryson Oliver, whose fourth 250-yard game has him at 1,468 yards, 16 touchdowns. Where Neuqua's held Metea is at the line. Wildcats center Hank Michalski and his mates hope to continue that trend against an athletic Metea front seven including linebacker Mitch Waller, tackle Mikqual Pines.
Riverside-Brookfield (6-2, 4-0) at Glenbard South (6-2, 4-0)
Metro Suburban West
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Riverside-Brookfield 40, Aurora Central 28; Glenbard South 28, IC Catholic Prep 14.
Last year: Glenbard South 49, Riverside-Brookfield 14.
Outlook: This game decides the outright MSC West champion as the Bulldogs try to dethrone Glenbard South. Even though quarterback Ryan Swift and Riverside-Brookfield's passing game throttled Fenton with 270 yards and 4 touchdowns two weeks ago, the Raiders' defense will be focused on slowing Bulldogs running back Matt Chapp, who last week helped his team pull away from a 14-14 tie. Glenbard South's ridden a six-game winning streak behind a defense allowing fewer than 7 points a game since losing to Antioch in Week 2. Linebackers Dillon Valdez and Jake Kapp are the keys with defensive back Andre Steiger, who had a big game against IC Catholic Prep. For big plays look no further than Raiders two-way standout Jack Curtis, who scooped and scored on a 99-yard fumble return last week. Behind steady guard Mitch Pohlman, sophomore Sean Cooke has become the go-to guy in the run game. Getting past Bulldogs defensive lineman Jordan Petronella won't be easy.
South Elgin (5-3, 4-2) at Waubonsie Valley (7-1, 5-1)
Upstate Eight Valley
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: South Elgin 21, Bartlett 7; Waubonsie Valley 35, Neuqua Valley 28.
Last year: Waubonsie Valley 63, South Elgin 29.
Outlook: South Elgin may have to derail Waubonsie's move toward its first Valley title since 2010 in order to reach the playoffs. Storm quarterback Hayden Nelson has passed for 1,561 yards, 17 touchdowns, 8 interceptions to a diverse cast led by Derek Kumerow, Nick Menken and Andrew Kamienski. The Waubonsie defense, headed on the stat sheet last week by the linebacker trio of Jake McCabe, Luke Marzano and Ryan Strick, also has to keep tabs on Storm running backs Shawn Griffin and Kyle Ware, the latter a 98-yard gainer against Bartlett. Waubonsie Valley gave opponents something else to think about when quarterback Zach Bennema unleashed a big right arm for 260 yards, 139 of them and 2 touchdowns including the game-winner to Keaton Casey. The Warriors remain a triple-option run threat with Bennema, fullback Ryan Berg and tailback Tony Durns, who totaled 224 yards rushing and kick returning. Maintaining offensive rhythm, limiting turnovers is key for each team.
Wheaton Warrenville South (4-4, 3-1) at Naperville Central (7-1, 4-0)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: WW South 7, Glenbard North 3; Naperville Central 17, Lake Park 10.
Earlier this season: Naperville Central 10, WW South 7.
Outlook: Three straight wins have put WW South in position to claim a playoff berth and a share of the DVC title by avenging a Week 4 loss that came down to a last-second field goal by the Redhawks' Connor Assalley. Something similar could decide this one. WW South is finally getting healthy with the expected return of linebacker Andrew Ives and safety Eric Lipinski. Quarterback Josh Prueter is expected back and running back Mike Campos is healthier. The Tigers' offense, featuring Western Michigan-bound receiver Keishawn Watson, will have its hands full trying to score on Naperville Central. Lineman Joe Schweikart, linebackers Dan DelGrosso and Bobby McMillen and a deep secondary corps make it tough for any offense. The Redhawks' offense has leaned on running back Kevin Clifford more and more as the season's progressed. WW South and Northwestern-bound linebacker Tommy Vitale hope to contain him better than the 195 rushing yards Clifford had in the first meeting.
Aurora Central (5-3, 1-3) at Wheaton Academy (5-3, 1-3)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Wheaton Academy did wonders for its playoff chances with last week's win over Fenton, but the Warriors want to leave no doubt with a win in this one. Camden Meade and the ground game will look to keep the Chargers' potent offense off the field.
Downers Grove South (6-2, 4-1) at Hinsdale South (6-2, 4-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Line play is key as both sides eye the Rebel Cannon. Max Soderlund is an underrated receiver for the Mustangs, who are struggling to stay healthy up front. Hornets defensive lineman Josh King and running back Marcus Curry returned from injury last week.
Glenbard East (3-5, 1-5) at West Aurora (3-5, 3-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Glenbard East seeks its first win since Week 4. To do that linebacker Mickey Farnham and the defense have to contain a West Aurora offense that ran for 492 yards last week. Receiver Karon Keyes, quarterback Phil Abruzino look to pace the Rams offensively.
Glenbard West (8-0, 5-0) at York (4-4, 1-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The fifth unbeaten regular season in seven years is on the line for Glenbard West while York, loser of two straight and three of four, fights for playoff survival. Sam Brodner's 29 carries for 191 yards and 4 TDs last week show his importance to the Hilltoppers.
Hinsdale Central (6-2, 4-1) at Downers North (3-5, 2-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: A stunning win over Oak Park makes Hinsdale Central a legitimate threat in Class 8A. With quarterback Matt Rafferty and running back Juwan Edmond, the offense has been extremely effective. The Trojans will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
IC Catholic Prep (3-5, 2-2) at Fenton (4-4, 0-4)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: An interesting matchup between nearby schools hoping to forge a rivalry in the MSC. Sophomore Jordan Rowell sits at 1,263 rushing yards for the Knights. Fenton QB Willie Wassmann played safety last week while Corey Hausen was behind center.
Lake Park (5-3, 2-2) at Wheaton North (3-5, 2-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Lake Park likely must win to earn a playoff berth. The Lancers lean on a defensive line led in part by tackle Christian Oshana. Sophomore linebacker Erik Mueller is one Falcons player who's greatly improved since a 17-10 Week 4 win over the Lancers.
Lisle (1-7) at Plano (5-3)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Against 6-2 Coal City Alec VanVolkenburg, Mark McGrath and Grant Haen totaled a decent 167 yards rushing. But Lisle gave up 443. Facing another powerful Interstate Eight crossover foe, Tijuan Kelly and the defense will firm up between the tackles.
Marian Catholic (1-7, 0-6) at Benet (5-3, 3-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Benet's pretty much locked up a playoff berth and looks to improve seeding. Limiting turnovers is a major focus while Brad Sznajder aims to get the ground game moving again. Spartans sophomore QB Cameron Thomas is the Redwings' defensive focus.
Naperville North (2-6, 0-4) at Glenbard North (3-5, 1-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Despite two straight lopsided losses for Naperville North, Chris Zhang and Tom Rizzi remain leaders on the defensive line. The Panthers showed last week they have running back depth in the program as Isaiah Hawkins and Jalen Fitzpatrick stepped up.
St. Charles East (3-5, 3-3) at West Chicago (3-5, 2-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Both had hoped to be vying for a playoff slot. West Chicago still can win four games for the first time since 2005. Run-stopping by defensive linemen Lawrence Caputo and Alex Maltese, linebackers Steve Gutowski and Wes Kassaros could get it done.
St. Francis (6-2, 2-1) vs. Fenwick (5-3, 2-1)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday at Morton West in Berwyn.
The quick hit: St. Francis has run out hero after hero - quarterback Clint Bobowski, receiver Mike Shaw, defensive end Quinn Calcagno, defensive back Matt Hanson - but it's a team effort that's put the Spartans in position for a Chicago Catholic League Green co-title.
Westmont (4-4) vs. Sandwich (0-8)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Former IC Catholic coach Chris VanDyke's Sandwich squad has allowed 341 points, Westmont 344. Westmont loves a track meet, inspiring Adam Ferrell, Marcus Mott-Larson, Quintin Brown and Kyle Domin toward the program's first playoff since 2006.
Willowbrook (2-6, 2-3) at Addison Trail (7-1, 5-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: With quarterback Billy Degnan back from injury, Warriors receiver Kyle Rushing's snared 6 touchdown passes the last two weeks. Blazers leading rusher Malik Pierre-Louis returns from injury while Ryan Zygowicz takes over for hurt QB Mike Rybarczyk.