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Week 8: Scouting the DuPage Valley

Naperville Central (3-4, 3-3) at Wheaton North (3-4, 2-4)

DuPage Valley Conference

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

Last week: Naperville North 50, Naperville Central 31; Neuqua Valley 31, Wheaton North 17.

Last year: Naperville Central 34, Wheaton North 14.

Outlook: Consider this an early playoff game because the loser won't be advancing to Week 10. Naperville Central loved the 400 yards it piled up last week, but the 490 the Redhawks allowed was not good. With Luke Turner, Laddie Skarecky and others, they'll be looking to regroup. While Wheaton North's ground game is headed by Sam Singleton, the Falcons also turned to sophomore Antowon Tolbert last week. The Luke Anthony-to-Jack Bennett combination accounted for 4 catches for 129 yards. Five turnovers, however, wound up turning a 17-10 lead after three quarters into a loss. Naperville Central's also having turnover trouble. The Redhawks have committed nine the last two weeks while forcing none. A.J. Deinhart was a workhorse last week, carrying the ball 27 times for 227 yards, and he was spelled nicely by Turner. Wheaton North has strong run-stoppers with linebackers Erik Mueller and Bo Neidballa, but the defense can't forget about Redhawks quarterback Pat Ryan.

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

Naperville North (6-1, 5-1) at Waubonsie Valley (4-3, 3-3)

DuPage Valley Conference

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

Last week: Naperville North 50, Naperville Central 31; Waubonsie Valley 35, Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.) 14.

Last year: Naperville North 25, Waubonsie Valley 24 (OT).

Outlook: Having clinched a playoff berth, Naperville North may need wins in the last two regular-season games to earn a first-round home game. Last week the Huskies allowed more points than it would have liked, but defensive backs Grant Ericksen and Cam Hardy came up with clutch turnovers when needed. Offensively, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better running back tandem than the Huskies' Eric Wright and Cross Robinson, who've combined for 1,375 rushing yards. Waubonsie Valley is In good shape regarding playoff points with 36. Now, to earn a fifth win and probable 10th straight playoff berth. Last week's victory was big, literally, the Warriors' season high in scoring. Quarterback Tanner Westwood accounted for all 5 touchdowns with 2 touchdown passes to tight end Chuck Robinson. A 4-3 defense led by Josh Dominiak, Connor Yukna and Jake Julian will attempt to force the pass. Bottom line, when Waubonsie Valley doesn't turn the ball over it tends to win.

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

Glenbard North (5-2, 4-2) at Metea Valley (2-5, 2-5)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Glenbard North quarterback Shane Conway has made great strides in the passing game. Still, Glenbard North tailback Vittorio Tricase is the key. As such, Metea defensive lineman Mitch Reyes and linebacker Caleb Escudero focus on disrupting timing.

Neuqua Valley (7-0, 6-0) at Lake Park (2-5, 1-5)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Neuqua Valley can clinch a share of the DuPage Valley Conference title. Cameron Raupach comes off a stellar rushing day. Lake Park defensive lineman Jacub Panasiuk returns after missing last week. Fellow lineman Matt Paulauskas excelled in his absence.

Wheaton Warrenville South (2-5) at St. Mary Prep (Mich.) (4-3)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: You need two hands to count the number of St. Mary players committed to FBS college programs. With quarterback Matt Dohse, receiver Cam Moore and running back Ryan Young, WW South has one of the best offensive trios in the DuPage Valley Conference.

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