Week 5: Scouting the Fox Valley Conference
Huntley (3-1, 3-1) at Cary-Grove (3-1, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Huntley 49, Hampshire 7; Cary-Grove 35, Jacobs 14
Last year: Huntley 29, Cary-Grove 8
Outlook: Barring an upset of Fox Valley Conference leader Prairie Ridge in the final five weeks, this game likely decides second place. Cary-Grove lost to Prairie Ridge 26-14 in the season opener. The Wolves beat Huntley 31-20 in Week 2. Cary-Grove prevailed the last two games without all-state fullback/linebacker Tyler Pennington. He returns from an ankle sprain for this game, C-G coach Brad Seaburg said. That's what the Red Raiders say they want. "We hope he plays, to be honest," first-year Huntley coach Matt Zimolzak said of Pennington. "We love what they do over there and we want to play against the best they have. Our kids are looking forward to the competition." Pennington has been spelled effectively at fullback by junior Max Skol, who in the last 2 games has rushed for 196 yards and 5 touchdowns in 27 attempts (7.3 avg.). A Cary-Grove offense averaging 38 points and 393 total yards per game faces a Huntley defense that limits opponents to 13 points and 250 yards. Huntley's defense is led by Fighting Illini recruit Lere Oladipo, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end with 14 solo tackles, 10 assists, 2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. The Red Raiders take their cues offensively from quarterback Eric Mooney, who has completed 47 of 76 passes for 618 yards and 5 touchdowns. The multidimensional junior has rushed 47 times for 359 yards and 10 scores. Of Mooney's 10 rushing touchdowns, 7 were 38 yards or longer. "We have to be on guard for the big play," Seaburg said. "They have big-play potential at any moment. We have to be disciplined, concentrate and be focused on every play."
Next week: West Aurora (4-0) at Huntley; Cary-Grove at Dundee-Crown (1-3)
Jacobs (2-2, 2-2) at McHenry (3-1, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Quick hit: Jacobs wide receiver John Farrissey (6-0, 180) moved into third place among area receivers with last week's 12-catch, 143-yard performance in a losing cause. The junior has 30 receptions for 422 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jacobs quarterback Chris Katrenick (Bowling Green) has completed 69 of 144 attempts for 950 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Dundee-Crown (1-3, 0-3) at Crystal Lake South (0-4, 0-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Quick hit: Dundee-Crown tries for its third win against the Gators since 2000 and second in four seasons. Competitive in its first 3 losses, Crystal Lake South must contain D-C running back Greg Williams (112 carries, 634 yards, 6 TD). CL South senior Michael Swiatly has gained 306 rushing yards and scored 4 touchdowns on 59 carries.
Hampshire (2-2, 1-2) at Crystal Lake Central (2-2, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Quick hit: Opponents aren't passing against Hampshire because they don't need to. The Whip-Purs have yielded 1,138 of their 1,460 total yards against the run. Next comes a CL Central spread offense that has rushed for 726 yards and 10 touchdowns, led by senior Vinson May (390 yards, 4 TD).