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Week 9: Scouting the DuPage Valley

Neuqua Valley (8-0, 7-0) at Glenbard North (6-2, 5-2)

DuPage Valley Conference

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

Last week: Neuqua Valley 38, Lake Park 12; Glenbard North 29, Metea Valley 15.

Last year: Glenbard North 42, Neuqua Valley 28.

Outlook: Likely having secured a first-round home playoff game, Neuqua targets the outright DVC title and its first unbeaten regular season since 2012. But Glenbard North beat the Wildcats last year in Week 9. Neuqua running back Cam Raupach is rolling, over 100 yards rushing four of the last five games, while receiver-returner Donny Navarro totaled 214 all-purpose yards against Lake Park. Run-stopping linemen Tommy Ciesla and Jackson Keating and linebackers Casey Larson, Jon Rhattigan and Anthony Ippolito have a tall order containing Panthers tailback Vittorio Tricase. The 5-foot-7 powerhouse is up to 1,507 yards and 29 touchdowns running the ball. Definitely the meal ticket, but three-year quarterback Shane Conway comes off perhaps his best passing game with 224 yards, including 160 yards to Jace James - who also picked off 2 passes. Defensively, Raupach has their attention, and linemen Chris Noeun, Ladell Hughes and D'myreo Mitchell lead the charge up front.

Wheaton North (4-4, 3-4) at Waubonsie Valley (4-4, 3-4)

DuPage Valley Conference

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

Last week: Wheaton North 45, Naperville Central 27; Naperville North 17, Waubonsie Valley 14.

Last year: Wheaton North 9, Waubonsie Valley 7.

Outlook: It's pretty simple. The winner becomes playoff eligible and likely reaches the postseason with a sufficient number of playoff points. The loser is eliminated from playoff contention. Last week Wheaton North was severely outgained in total yards but came up with four turnovers highlighted by Drake Dickinson's Pick 6. The ground game surged as the night wore on with junior Sam Singleton and sophomore Antowon Tolbert combining for 185 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Waubonsie didn't like last week's result but loved the effort, and it looks to replicate it on senior night to reach the playoffs. Coming off another 100-yard ground game with 74 yards receiving out of the backfield, Warriors tailback Nate Ashford has run for 829 yards and 6 touchdowns. Safety Connor Yukna paced a sound defensive effort that held Naperville North to 212 yards. If it's close at the end sophomore kicker Cross Holmes would relish another crack at a game-tying - or winning - field goal.

Lake Park (2-6, 1-6) at Naperville Central (3-5, 3-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Turnovers keep hammering the Redhawks, who committed four last week. No matter the score, A.J. Deinhart kept running hard in a 111-yard effort. Despite mass injuries Lake Park gets healthier with the return of defensive lineman Christian Cestone.

Metea Valley (2-6) at Lincoln-Way Central (6-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: A solid effort against Glenbard North propels the Mustangs. Tailback Alonzo Taylor-Jones needs 135 yards rushing for 1,000 on the season. A big line push by Will Hanegan, Bryce Effner, Max Cussans, Robert Finch and Bobby Papiernik could get him there.

WW South (2-6, 2-5) at Naperville North (7-1, 6-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: WW South's tough trip to Michigan last week had some high points, including strong two-way play by lineman Zack Hrycyk. Naperville North didn't put up huge offensive numbers in last week's win, but Cross Robinson had another 100-yard rushing performance.

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