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Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games

By David Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

kschmit@dailyherald.com

Hinsdale South (0-3, 0-1) at Willowbrook (2-1, 1-0)

West Suburban Gold

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

Last week: Downers Grove South 37, Hinsdale South 24; Willowbrook 38, Addison Trail 7.

Last year: Willowbrook 27, Hinsdale South 13.

Outlook: Forget the records. This is a critical matchup for many reasons. With tough games on the horizon, Hinsdale South can't afford a fourth straight loss. Willowbrook likely needs to get to 6 wins or clinch the Gold title to reach the playoffs, so knocking off the defending champion would be a huge step. Led by linemen Lucas Olson and Zak Walenga, the Warriors pounded the ball at Addison Trail with running backs Jack Jessen and Chris Diaz, who combined for 265 rushing yards. Hinsdale South has played well defensively, at least until surrendering 37 points to Downers South. The Hornets allowed a total of 34 points in their first two games led by defensive lineman Aaron Woods and linebacker Deontae Curry. Hinsdale South continues to use two quarterbacks in Brian Rudolph and Justin Kolzow. Willowbrook defensive backs Jon Kelso, who last week snared 2 interceptions, and Khalif Copeland are contributing on both sides of the ball. The Warriors' obvious goal is to keep forcing turnovers.

Next week: Proviso East at Hinsdale South; Willowbrook at York.

Montini (1-2) at Brother Rice (3-0) Nonconference

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

Last week: Fenwick 38, Montini 6; Brother Rice 45, Aurora Christian 6.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: Montini need not panic regarding its 23-year playoff streak ... yet. What is troubling is injuries keep piling up. In his first game of the season, against Fenwick, Western Michigan-bound running back Prince Walker reinjured a quadriceps. Starting quarterback Brad Norgle remains out with a broken finger, though fellow junior Matt Morrissey has completed 52 percent of his passes. Still lacking defensive ends Cooper Hynes and Nick Malek, probable all-state interior lineman Joe Spivak was moved outside, which weakened inside lanes. Then Purdue-bound cornerback Mitch West took a slight ding, coach Chris Andriano said. West's health could prove critical in this first meeting against Chicago Catholic League crossover foe Brother Rice, No. 4 in Class 8A. The Crusaders, who beat Marist and Crete-Monee to start the season, get Illinois-bound receiver Ricky Smalling and pal Branden Houston in space, and quarterback Dino Borrelli can find them.

Next week: Marmion at Montini; Brother Rice at Providence.

Naperville North (3-0, 2-0) at Lake Park (2-1, 1-1)

DuPage Valley Conference

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

Last week: Naperville North 33, Wheaton North 7; Lake Park 28, DeKalb 21.

Last year: Lake Park 7, Naperville North 0.

Outlook: Don't blink on these offenses because you'll miss too much. There may end up being 150 plays as both sides present dueling no-huddle spread systems. Eric Wright and the Huskies' ground game is averaging more than 200 yards a game while quarterback Luke Cegles is averaging 185 passing yards. The question is whether they can remain effective against Lake Park's defense headed by Michigan State-bound lineman Jacub Panasiuk. It's the same challenge faced by Naperville North defensive linemen Malik Wells and Isaac Velasco. The Huskies have experience at every defensive level including linebacker Jake Jegglie and defensive back Kiser Floyd, who lead the team in tackles. Lake Park quarterback Jackson Behles and receiver Johnny Pacione set a program record with last week's 97-yard touchdown pass that was the game-winning score. Jarkeyse Brackett rushed for 195 yards, and the Lancers will get an added boost to the ground game with the return from injury of Jake Carvahllo.

Next week: Glenbard North at Naperville North; Lake Park at Wheaton North.

St. Viator (2-1, 1-0) at Benet (2-1, 1-0)

East Suburban Catholic Conference

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

Last week: St. Viator 28, Marian Catholic 14; Benet 14, Marian Central 10.

Last year: Did not play.

Outlook: The Lions have found their footing on offense despite playing all three games without Notre Dame-bound tight end Cole Kmet, who's been out with mononucleosis. After managing only 10 rushing yards in an opening loss to Rolling Meadows, St. Viator's leaned on running back Darreontae Jackson. The last two weeks he's piled up 370 yards on the ground. Last week he also returned a kick for a touchdown. Benet's experienced defense, as expected, has been tremendous. The corps of linebackers, led by Ryan Liszka, will be bolstered by the return from injury of Dan Veselik. Defensive back Erik Jones returned from injury last week. Benet's offense seeks consistency, but the Redwings certainly have explosive potential with third-year quarterback Jack Sznajder and receiver C.J. Birck. As Benet continues to find rest for two-way players Liszka, Alec McEachern and Ben Cooney, expect receiver-running back Marty Dosen to keep getting more carries in the backfield.

Next week: St. Viator at Carmel; Nazareth at Benet.

Waubonsie Valley (2-1, 2-1) at Naperville Central (1-2, 1-2)

DuPage Valley Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Neuqua Valley 24, Waubonsie Valley 17; Naperville Central 28, Metea Valley 25.

Last year: Waubonsie Valley 15, Naperville Central 14; Waubonsie Valley 17, Naperville Central 0 (Class 8A quarterfinals).

Outlook: Yes, Waubonsie Valley will miss a player suspended due to last week's skirmish against Neuqua Valley. The bottom line, though, is the Warriors have to run the ball better. Tailback Nate Ashford led a 228-yard ground game in the opener, twice what Waubonsie has mustered since. Firing off the line is a key, as is getting the defense off the field on third down. Defensive lineman Calvin Ringenbach will be a game-time decision after an early injury against Neuqua, but ace cornerback Derric Lee should return. Odd health situations have kept key starters out of the Redhawks' lineup, but reinforcements should be on the way. This week they hope to get back leading receiver Josh Ruiz and linebacker Laddie Skarecky, who's been out since midway through the season opener. The Redhawks' offense started clicking last week with running back A.J. Deinhart rushing for a season-high 164 yards and quarterback Pat Ryan throwing for a season-high 241 yards despite being without Ruiz.

Next week: Metea Valley at Waubonsie Valley; Naperville Central at Wheaton Warrenville South.

Addison Trail (1-2, 0-1) at Downers Grove South (1-2, 1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: After a disappointing loss to Willowbrook, Addison Trail couldn't ask for a better bounce-back opportunity. The Mustangs, led by quarterback Matt Greenwald and receiver Joe Tonoff, played near flawless last week on offense.

Downers Grove North (1-2, 0-1) at Glenbard West (3-0, 1-0)Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: Downers North continues to grind through the toughest part of its schedule. The Hilltoppers return to Duchon Field for the first time this season. Quarterback Cole Brady, who last week threw for over 200 yards, is emerging as a threat.

Glenbard North (2-1) at Thornton (1-2)Game time: 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: Road trip into Southwest Suburban country. The Panthers aim to pressure Wildcats quarterback William Storey. North scored on its first seven possessions last week, as main men Vittorio Tricase, Jace James and Shane Conway all performed well.

Chicago Christian (1-2) at IC Catholic Prep (3-0)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: IC Catholic averages 51 points, has two shutouts and has yet to put all three phases together. The Knights get a lot of mileage rotating sophomores David Vargas, Kemon Reese, Ricky Mysliwiec and Ryan Kenneally into the offensive line.Elmwood Park (0-3) at Wheaton Academy (3-0)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Wheaton Academy shoots for its third straight 4-0 start against this first-time opponent. Against Chicago Christian Kent Harmon ran for 117 yards and Cristian Carstens for 70 on 6 carries. Linebacker Tyler Jackson will miss this game to injury.

Lisle (2-1, 1-0) at Reed-Custer (2-1, 1-0)Game time: 7: p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Lions offensive linemen Jeff Marach, Zach Zikuda, Aaron Cail, Michael Cracco and Kyle Belina improved once again in a 47-6 Interstate Eight Small win over Seneca. Linebackers Cameron Stitt and Mark Pivek look to contain the Reed-Custer option.

Ridgewood (2-1) at Glenbard South (1-2)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: In one final crossover before Metro Suburban Blue play begins, Glenbard South returns offensive guard Ben DiFranco and running back Adam Haushahn from injury. Reeling last week at ACC, the Raiders responded with some of their best practices.

St. Francis (0-3) at Loyola (3-0)Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: St. Francis draws a Chicago Catholic League crossover against the top team in the state. Regardless of records, Loyola will discover that Spartans seniors and top tacklers Greg Bogdanski and Andrew Olson play a tough brand of football.

Walther Christian (0-3) at Fenton (1-2)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Walther always has someone dangerous, and this year it's the versatile Jaylen Pugh the Bison must contain. The best way is to build upon last week's successes: cutting down turnovers and running the ball with Abel Rivera, D.J. Kelly, Ivan Rodriguez.

West Aurora (3-0, 1-0) at Glenbard East (0-3, 0-1) Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Glenbard East junior receivers Keonta Nixon and Kenny Adams and sophomore Jeremy Johnson have the stuff to hurt a defense. The thing here, though, is stopping West Aurora's athletes while hopefully returning back Scott Szabo from injury.

West Chicago (0-3) at Larkin (1-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Elgin Memorial Stadium.

The quick hit: Seven turnovers against Bartlett derailed last week's game for the Wildcats. A goal Friday is to get the ground game clicking behind linemen Cosme Ramos, Noah Kotke, Tommy McDonald, Rudy Cardiel and two-way stud Justin Ross.

Westmont (1-2, 0-1) at Seneca (2-1, 0-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Coach Otto Zeman was pleased with the compete level against Wilmington, as players like cornerback T.J. Bueser were all over the field. A Brenton Baldwin-to-Marquis Thomas touchdown pass may set the stage for more at Seneca.Wheaton North (2-1, 1-1) at Metea Valley (0-3, 0-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Falcons are hurting with injuries to Luke Bennett, Danny Walker, Lavon Thomas and Reese Dickinson. Metea defensive linemen Michael Robinson and Charles Anderson set the tone for that unit. Finishing drives is key for the Mustangs.

WW South (0-3, 0-3) at Neuqua Valley (3-0, 3-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Six starting juniors find WW South's defense struggling against the run. Cam Moore is a dominant receiver. Injuries to Neuqua's Matt Quinn and Griffen Philgren continued a sad trend, yet others like Tyler Cristofaro keep stepping up.

York (1-2, 0-1) at Hinsdale Central (3-0, 1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Running back Keith Freeman leads the Dukes in rushing, but quarterback Charlie Pakenas has added 132 rushing yards on 30 carries. Linebackers Dorion Pollard and Peter Pigatti have 8 of Hinsdale Central's 16 tackles for loss on the season.

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