Scouting DuPage County's five football quarterfinal games

By Kevin Schmit and Dave Oberhelman

kschmit@dailyherald.com

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Class 8A

No. 6 Naperville Central (10-1) at No. 30 Waubonsie Valley (7-4)

Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Naperville Central 49, No. 22 Warren 22; Waubonsie Valley 21, No. 19 Neuqua Valley 14.

Outlook: This will be the rivals' fourth meeting in two years with all four games taking place in Aurora. That includes the Redhawks' 24-14 second-round win last year and the Warriors' 15-14 win earlier this year. Redhawks quarterback Conor Joyce, who's thrown for 2,024 yards, improves every week thanks in part to the play of receivers Emmanuel Rugamba and Matt Lehmann. The defense thrives with lineman-linebacker Rick Hatton and defensive backs Jon Barker and Garrett Purdy. After five straight road games Waubonsie gives its home fans a chance to salute a great playoff run. Key to the cause is running back Max Ihry, up to 1,228 yards rushing, including 190 on 36 carries last week, plus 15 tackles at linebacker. Ihry's the face of the team, but the Warriors offer many complements. The defense has been strong all season featuring linebackers Josh Dominiak and Ray Braun, safety Connor Yukna and cornerback Trevon Moore, whose battles with Rugamba should be fun.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 8A semifinal against the winner between No. 23 Marist (7-4) and No. 15 Oswego (9-2).

Class 7A

No. 1 Glenbard West (11-0) at No. 9 Rockford Auburn (10-1)

Game Time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Glenbard West 7, No. 16 Mt. Carmel 0; Rockford Auburn 35, No. 8 Reavis 20.

Outlook: Last week's win over Mt. Carmel was the finest hour for Glenbard West's defense, a unit led by linebackers Nico Gagliano and Ross Andreasik that held the Caravan to 69 rushing yards after they ran for 300 the week before. This week presents a similar challenge against an Auburn offense that piled up 366 rushing yards while beating Reavis. Behind an offensive line with three players weighing over 300 pounds, quarterback Nathan Jarrett and running back Deqwuan Bell each had more than 100 yards. Juwuane Parchman, committed to Illinois, caught 4 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, but his impact is mainly felt on defense. The Knights will need Parchman and more to slow Glenbard West with Vanderbilt-bound running back Sam Brodner, who's rushed for 1,130 yards and scored 37 touchdowns, and quarterback Brian Cochrane. With injuries hitting the Hilltoppers' backfield, Dionte Moorehead and Dre Thomas have filled in admirably.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 7A semifinal against the winner between No. 5 Cary-Grove (10-1) and No. 4 Batavia (10-1).

Class 6A

No. 1 Montini (11-0) at No. 5 DeKalb (9-2)

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Montini 42, No. 8 Kaneland 7; DeKalb 38, No. 13 Deerfield 27.

Outlook: In this first-time meeting DeKalb is going to have to do something special to beat Montini. The Broncos have not allowed more than 8 points in a game since Week 2 and own a plus-33 turnover ratio after last week's interceptions by John Embrey and Monte Bey gave them 21 picks this fall. Against Kaneland quarterback Justin Blake, running back Prince Walker and receiver Tyler Millikan made big plays on Montini's first possession and it rolled from there. DeKalb is enjoying its own success story. Coach Matt Weckler has led the formerly downcast Barbs to the playoffs his first three seasons, including this quarterfinal berth for the first time since a Class 4A runner-up finish in 1980. A spread option team with quarterback Derek Kyler at the helm, the Barbs have played clean football as well, plus-18 turnovers on the year. Kyler has accounted for about 2,400 yards with 26 touchdown passes to 3 interceptions. Cole Tucker has 1,100 yards receiving, 17 touchdowns; slotback Tony Tate is a threat.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 6A semifinal against the winner between No. 5 Riverside-Brookfield (10-1) and No. 2 Prairie Ridge (10-1).

No. 13 Hinsdale South (8-3) at No. 1 Lincoln-Way North (11-0)

Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Hinsdale South 47, No. 5 Oak Forest 7; Lincoln-Way North 17, No. 9 Richards 10 (OT).

Outlook: The Hornets have been flat-out scary on offense the last two weeks. In their first-round win over Thornton they used running back Marcus Curry to rush for 223 yards and 4 touchdowns. Last week quarterback Sean McCormack threw for 256 yards and 6 touchdowns to four different receivers. What will Hinsdale South show in its second straight quarterfinal appearance? It depends on what Lincoln-Way North gives the Hornets, but regardless it'll have to be pretty good against a defense that's surging on the heels of last week's overtime victory. The Phoenix primarily run the ball out of their pistol offensive set with Joe Peters and Jaylin Branch, although receiver Drew Slager is a dangerous option in the passing game. Last week he snared a 72-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Arthur to set up the overtime-forcing field goal. Hinsdale South dominated Oak Forest to the point of a running clock, and not just with its offense. The Hornets forced and recovered 7 fumbles.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 6A semifinal against the winner between No. 2 Sacred Heart-Griffin (11-0) and No. 6 Crete-Monee (9-2).

Class 3A

No. 3 IC Catholic Prep (10-1) at No. 2 Princeton (11-0)

Game time: 5 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: IC Catholic 48, No. 6 Elmwood-Brimfield 7; Princeton 43, No. 7 Raby 8.

Outlook: What a great sidebar - IC coach Bill Krefft was a two-way lineman at IC as was Princeton coach Jesse Snyder at Lena-Winslow. The two likely went head to head in a 2002 quarterfinal won by IC on its way to a Class 3A title. Flash forward and both teams run up-tempo offense, though IC goes one-back spread with Princeton a double-wing. IC is hard to slow, Knights quarterback Luke Ricobene completing 22 of 30 passes last week for 280 yards, 5 touchdowns, while Jordan Rowell and Lazerick Eatman ran for 149 and 70 yards, respectively. Princeton has allowed 77 points the entire season behind 96 tackles apiece by linebackers Jacob Smith and Skye Behrends and lineman Chaz Williams' 6 sacks. Smith leads the Tigers with 1,262 yards rushing, 15 touchdowns, but they're also comfortable throwing the football. Jake Reinhardt has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,173 yards, 17 touchdowns, 4 interceptions. Speedy Princeton will make IC defend sideline to sideline.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 3A semifinal against the winner between No. 8 Byron (9-2) and No. 5 Bishop McNamara (10-1).