Week 5: Scouting the East Suburban Catholic

Nazareth (2-2, 0-2) at Benet (3-1, 2-0)

East Suburban Catholic Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Last week: Carmel 21, Nazareth 10; Benet 33, St. Viator 14.

Last year: Nazareth 33, Benet 0.

Outlook: After losing three straight games to Nazareth - the last two seasons ending with state titles for the Roadrunners - Benet is anxious to win this game and stay on track to compete for the ESCC title. Don't be fooled by Nazareth's two-game losing streak. This remains a talented team with two-way linemen Devonte Dunn and Christian Sampleton. The Roadrunners' set of skill players is still developing after Julian Love, now at Notre Dame, graduated and Ivory Kelly-Martin transferred to Oswego East. Benet's defense is talented at every level, but last week it was the secondary's time to shine. The Redwings snared 5 interceptions, with 3 picks by Ben Cooney alone. On offense Marty Dosen's versatility has been extremely important as he shifts back to running back. Last week he rushed for over 100 yards. Expect the Redwings to seek advantages in the passing game with third-year quarterback Jack Sznajder and receivers C.J. Birck, Nick Keyes and 6-foot-7 Jack Eschenbach.

Next week: Nazareth at Joliet Catholic; Benet at Marian Catholic.

St. Viator Lions (2-2, 1-1) at Carmel Corsairs (2-2, 1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday

Last week: St. Viator lost to Benet, 33-14; Carmel def. Nazareth, 21-10.

Skinny: Carmel broke its two-game losing streak last week by being more productive offensively. Against Nazareth, the Corsairs scored more points (21) then in their two losses combined (18 points). Much of that production came late in the game. Trailing by 3 points heading into the fourth quarter, Carmel scored 2 touchdowns in the final seven minutes to get the win. On the night, running back Rondel Jamison scored 2 touchdowns for the Corsairs…St. Viator managed just 9 first downs last week against Benet. Part of the problem was turnovers. The Lions turned the ball over six times, with 5 interceptions and 1 fumble. Quarterback Tom Majerus completed 13-of-28 passes for 159 yards but had 4 interceptions. Two receivers were around the 100-yard mark for St. Viator. Cole Kmet, a Notre Dame commit, had 5 catches for 92 yards while Marc Clark caught 5 passes for 103 yards. Viator's last win over Carmel came in 2013.