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Week 2: Scouting the Upstate Eight River

Kaneland (1-0) at Geneva (1-0)

Nonconference

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at Burgess Field

Last year: Kaneland 26, Geneva 23

Last week: Kaneland 55, Chicago Brooks 16; Joliet Catholic 34, Geneva 27

Outlook: Kaneland won a thriller last season when this series resumed after a seven-year hiatus. Geneva had the ball at the Knights' 1-yard line on the game's final play, but Kaneland defensive lineman Matt Payton shot a gap and forced a fumble to preserve the win. New Kaneland coach Pat Ryan picked up his first win last week when the Knights scored on their first 8 possessions to take a 56-0 halftime lead against Brooks. Junior Jonathan Alstott carried 8 times for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns, senior quarterback Jack Douglas completed 7 of 8 attempts from 170 yards and 3 touchdowns and two-way senior lineman Jacob Brown had 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. "(Douglas) is a lot better than he was and has more command of the offense than last year," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "We need to protect the ball and limit the big plays." Trailing Joliet Catholic 34-7 early in the fourth quarter of last week's opener, Geneva senior quarterback Bobby Murray rallied the Vikings with touchdown passes to Garret Sneed, Max McCloughan and Brendan Krohe.

Next week: St. Charles East (1-0) at Geneva; Kaneland at Rich Central (1-0)

Libertyville (1-0) at Batavia (1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bulldog Stadium

The quick hit: A rematch of one of 2016's best games. Batavia won 34-31 in triple overtime after rallying to tie it on a field goal in regulation. A blocked field goal in the third overtime was the difference. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 10 in this week's Class 7A AP poll.

Bolingbrook (1-0) at St. Charles North (1-0)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

The quick hit: Lucas Segobiano rushed for 147 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in a 38-13 win at Schaumburg. The Raiders handled Downers Grove South 35-10 in their opener.

Mundelein (0-1) at Streamwood (0-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Millennium Field

The quick hit: The Sabres look to get their offense on track after last week's 42-0 shutout by Maine West. Mundelein held Larkin scoreless until midway through the fourth quarter of last week's 14-3 loss.

Elgin (1-0) at West Chicago (0-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Three times West Chicago got deep inside Wheaton Academy turf without scoring. It happens with eight first-time offensive starters. C.J. Griffin and Luke Seeman forced fumbles on defense, which hopes to return safety Jack Reynolds from injury. Elgin won the final game of the 2016 season against Larkin and last week's opener against East Aurora. A win at West Chicago would give the Maroons a 3-game winning streak for the first time since coach Barry Reade led them to 6 straight victories in 2001-02.

St. Charles East (1-0) at Glenbard East (0-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Glenbard East needs clean football; the Saints hit Rock Island with five scores in six possessions in a 41-7. The Rams led Lake Forest early, good games by tackle Ben Pham and defensive end Pat Lyons. Receiver Kenny Adams was huge. The Saints were burned for a 79-yard trick play by Rock Island but the defense otherwise held the Rocks to 157 yards in a 41-7 win. The Rams dropped a 38-23 decision to Lake Forest last week.

Maine West (1-0) at Larkin (1-0)When: Friday, 7:15 p.m.

Last year's result: Maine West 46, Larkin 13

Outlook: Maine West got off to the start it wanted in their push to make the playoffs. The Warriors were dominant, especially on defense. Led by Eli Grimmer, who had an interception return for a touchdown, along with Devan Tucker and Christian Garbicz, Maine West posted its second consecutive opening-game shutout while holding Streamwood to 52 yards. Jake Bellizzi (55 yds., 2 TDs) and Walter Hutt (56 yds., TD) make up a nice 1-2 punch in the Warrior backfield while George Markakis was 9-of-14 for 94 yards and 2 TDs. Larkin was also stout defensively last week in a 14-3 win over visiting Mundelein. Larkin's defense held Mundelein to 214 total yards, while D.J. Ball, junior quarterback Marc Narvaez and running back Kindrel Morris sparked the offense to 2 late touchdowns. The Warriors defeated Streamwood 42-0 last week.

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