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Week 8, DuPage Valley: Neuqua Valley puts it on the line

Lake Park (3-4, 3-3) at Neuqua Valley (6-1, 5-1)

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

Last week: Glenbard North 42, Lake Park 3; Neuqua Valley 34, Wheaton North 17.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: After Glenbard North had success running the ball on Lake Park's stingy defense, the Lancers look to shore up that side of the ball facing Neuqua Valley's powerful offensive line. With Lake Park on the verge of playoff elimination, expect to see spirited play from linebackers Jackson Nie, Nathan Faruzzi and Tom Zablocki. Last week Lake Park moved the ball through the air with quarterback Jaron Fields, but the Lancers also need to be able to run it on the Wildcats. Fronted by Tommy Ciesla, Kurt Simpson and Sam Fields with linebacker support by Anthony Ippolito and Nick Osikowicz, Neuqua allows a miserly 99 yards rushing a game. The Wildcats' defense is among the DVC's toughest and its offense tied with Glenbard North for league honors at 27 points a game. Though Neuqua scored 5 times through the air last week a key will be how offensive linemen Tommy Cwiok, A.J. Cwiok, Michael Peterson, Joe Backe and Jake Zeiler can establish the run against Lake Park's defense.

Next week: Naperville Central at Lake Park; Glenbard North at Neuqua Valley.

Metea Valley (3-4, 3-4) at Glenbard North (5-2, 4-2)

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

Last week: Metea Valley 12, Wheaton Warrenville South 6; Glenbard North 42, Lake Park 3.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: Metea seeks to stay alive for a repeat playoff qualification against this blazing-hot squad. Winning field position, finishing drives and limiting Glenbard North's ground game are key. The Mustangs attempt offensive balance with running back Maurice Burkley and quarterback Connor Lovely, who has thrown for 1,222 yards with 2 scores last week to Ben Loutsis, up to 30 catches. A defense headed by linemen Ryan Kelley and Michael Robinson, linebacker Jon Mathison and defensive backs Burkley, Reggie Hill and Amiri Finner has the task of slowing the 1-2 punch of Panthers running backs Vittorio Tricase and Devion Hodges. This pick-your-poison deal, behind fullback Robert Lee, has amassed 1,434 yards, 13 touchdowns. Glenbard North allows just 8.4 points a game and won all three phases last week including scores on Hodges' 89-yard kickoff return and 65-yard interception return. Greg Newsome's 4 picks lead a secondary that has 11 overall.

Next week: West Aurora at Metea Valley; Glenbard North at Neuqua Valley.

Wheaton North (3-4, 3-3) at Naperville Central (6-1, 5-1)

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

Last week: Neuqua Valley 34, Wheaton North 17; Naperville Central 41, Naperville North 10.

Last year: Naperville Central 14, Wheaton North 3.

Outlook: Naperville Central eliminated Wheaton North from playoff contention last season, and the Redhawks have a chance to do it again. They're on a roll offensively with quarterback Conor Joyce playing his best football of the season. Last week Naperville Central showed near perfect balance, with multithreat receiver Matt Lehmann accounting for 30 rushing yards, 90 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Wheaton North's defense enters the game extremely banged up, especially at linebacker, where Matt Giles is out for the season. Cornerback Jonah Parker and defensive end Brendon Gambill may end up seeing time at linebacker. Last week the Falcons did a much better job protecting quarterback Luke Anthony, who threw for 180 yards. They've also done a better job protecting the football. With Jon Barker and Emmanuel Rugamba roaming Naperville Central's secondary, protecting the ball will be more important than ever for Wheaton North this week.

Next week: Waubonsie Valley at Wheaton North; Naperville Central at Lake Park.

Waubonsie Valley (5-2, 4-2) at Naperville North (0-7, 0-6)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Waubonsie wins and it's in the playoffs. The Warriors still hope to return Rodney Gee to complement back Max Ihry. Positives for the Huskies include last week's 20 first downs and the strong play of cornerback Grant Ericksen and lineman Tom Rizzi.

Wheaton Warrenville South (1-6) at West Chicago (1-6)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: WW South keeps getting healthier. After missing five games, quarterback Mike Stebbins has been cleared to play. That puts Wildcats linebacker David Poisson and defensive back Justin Yackey on alert. Damon Dombek looks to put on a pass rush.

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