Week 1: Scouting the Fox Valley Conference
Cary-Grove (10-2) at Prairie Ridge (14-0)
Fox Valley Conference
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Prairie Ridge 26, Cary-Grove 14
Outlook: How's this for openers? Defending Class 6A state champion Prairie Ridge takes on 6A quarterfinalist Cary-Grove. The District 155 rivals finished 1-2 in the Fox Valley Conference last year. PR is led by quarterback Samson Evans and tackle Jeff Jenkins, seniors committed to Iowa. The Trojans counter with all-state honorable mention safety Max Skol, junior quarterback Quinn Priester and a veteran offensive line. Wolves coach Chris Schremp said this one could be decided by penalties, turnovers and special teams. "The thing that really put us over the top last year was our punting game," Schremp said. "We were able to pin them deep several times."
Next week: Prairie Ridge at Huntley; McHenry at Cary-Grove
Huntley (8-4) at Jacobs (7-5)
Fox Valley Conference
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Huntley 35, Jacobs 0
Outlook: This is a critical Fox Valley Conference matchup between 2016 quarterfinalists. Each offense has an electrifying star. Jacobs is led by athletic senior running back Loren Strickland. Elusive senior quarterback Eric Mooney directs Huntley. These rivals played in the season opener last year and Huntley had its way. That was before Jacobs switched to a power running game at midseason and began to dominate behind SIU-bound tackle Jimmy Wormsley and veteran center Dylan DeMuth.
Next week: Prairie Ridge at Huntley; Jacobs at Dundee-Crown
Dundee-Crown at Hampshire Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: These Fox Valley Conference teams won 3 league games between them last year, so a victory in the opener is key to each team's playoff aspirations. Hampshire's defense has a more veteran presence than a year ago. D-C returns only three senior starters but welcomes a promising junior class.
Crystal Lake South at McHenry Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at McCracken Field
The quick hit: New CL South coach Rob Fontana makes his debut. He'll call the offensive plays, several of which will be handoffs to senior running back Kyle Leva. Eight Gators return on defense. McHenry returns seven starters on defense, six on offense from its first playoff team since 2007.