Week 7, Upstate Eight: Geneva braces for test against Glenbard East
Geneva (6-0) at Glenbard East (4-2)
Upstate Eight crossover
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Geneva 27, St. Charles East 26; South Elgin 61, Glenbard East 47
Outlook: The Vikings - ranked No. 5 in Class 7A in this week's AP poll - enter Week 7 undefeated but not unscarred. Last week's fourth-quarter rally averted an upset against St. Charles East, but it didn't obscure the fact some areas need improvement. "We felt good mentally going in and we felt good about the game plan, but it was mental stuff," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "We made a lot of mistakes, whether it was blocking the wrong guy, wrong reads by the quarterback, running backs missing holes. Defensively, we had a total meltdown on assignments. East is no slouch. You can't do that against teams like this because they have athletes." The Vikings average 38.7 points per game; the Rams average 40 points. Glenbard East is led by quarterback Philip Abruzino, who last week threw for 412 yards and 5 touchdowns to lift his season totals to 1,641 yards and 19 scores with 9 interceptions. "Their quarterback is really something special," Wicinski said. "He can motor and hurt you with his legs. We don't want to get into a track meet with these guys. We have to move the chains and shorten this game." Wicinski said wide receiver Jack Wassel and defensive tackle Steve Kemp will miss this game due to a violation of team rules. Right guard Matt Julseth will not play due to a labrum injury.
Next week: Batavia (5-1) at Geneva; Glenbard East at West Aurora (4-2)
West Aurora (4-2, 2-1) at South Elgin (5-1, 2-0)
Upstate Eight (Valley)
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last week: South Elgin 61, Glenbard East 47; West Aurora 48, West Chicago 8
Last year: South Elgin 62, West Aurora 27
Outlook: This could be a fast game if the respective star running backs have anything to say about it. South Elgin third-year back Shawn Griffin is at the peak of his game, having rushed for career highs in consecutive weeks. He enters with 946 yards and 6 touchdowns. He'll attempt to pry open a West Aurora defense limiting opponents to 14.2 points and 171 total yards per game, 97 against the run. "The most points we've given up in a game is 29, so there's something to be said for our defense," West Aurora coach Nate Eimer said. "We'll see. We don't think we're going to pitch a shutout, but we'll try to show them some different things, be physical with them and limit big plays because they create some big ones." The Blackhawks' wing-T attack counters with juniors DaQuan Cross (547 carries, 527 yards, 9 TD), senior Drake Spears (31-264-5) and junior DaVion Cross (16-177-2). "They've improved a lot from last year," South Elgin coach Patrik Pistorio said. "They have some speed and athleticism and they're able to put Spears in the flat, where last year he got more deep-middle looks. Anytime you face a wing-T it takes a lot of preparation to make sure the kids are ready. We expect a very competitive game in a playofflike atmosphere."
Next week: South Elgin at East Aurora (1-5); Glenbard East (4-2) at West Aurora
St. Charles East (2-4, 2-2) at Larkin (0-6, 0-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: The Saints led state-ranked Geneva until late in the fourth quarter last week. They face a Larkin offense that scored early against Batavia and St. Charles North. "Larkin is plugging away. They've had some good opening drives so you have to respect and honor that," St. Charles East coach Bryce Farquhar said.
Streamwood (3-3, 2-2) at St. Charles North (4-2, 1-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: St. Charles North snapped a 2-game skid with a 55-7 win over Larkin and looks to make it 2 wins in a row against the Sabres, who have alternated wins and losses. "We'll have a fight on our hands against a 3-3 team fighting to keep its playoff hopes alive," North Stars coach Rob Pomazak said.
Elgin (0-6, 0-3) at Batavia (5-1, 3-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Coming off their first loss of the season, the Bulldogs, ranked No. 6 in Class 7A in this week's AP poll, face a struggling Elgin program that played its most competitive game of the season last week in a 7-point loss to Streamwood.
Waubonsie Valley (4-2) at East Aurora (1-5)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Diverse personnel aid Waubonsie's cause. Receiver Mikey France's kickout block paved Max Ihry's 95-yard touchdown run. Safety Connor Yukna was coach Paul Murphy's defensive player of the week. Rodney Gee looks to get offensive reps at East.
West Chicago (1-5, 1-2) at Bartlett (2-4, 2-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Although West Chicago's Lucas Seeman is more of a running quarterback, the Wildcats are trying to find ways to get receiver Mikey Bibbs the ball. Defensive tackle Damon Dombeck, 6-2 and 245, counters the always physical Bartlett offensive front.