Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games
By David Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
kschmit@dailyherald.com
Glenbard South (4-1, 4-1) at West Aurora (4-1, 4-1)
Upstate Eight Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Glenbard South 35, Larkin 34; West Aurora 27, Bartlett 12.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: Glenbard South coach Ryan Crissey relishes this game for playoff preparation if not UEC ramifications. Averaging 31 points, the Raiders roll with running back Antonio Carter and the passing duo of Nick Plaso to receiver Tavion Keith, whose 12 receptions each of the last two games are program records. Last week's win clinched by a Spencer Pyle extra point and a sack by defensive end John Madison. Joined up front by Jordan Bolivar, Anthony Kramer, Connor Murphy and Jayquan Coleman, their thrust will be to stop West's run and force the pass into a strong back-seven featuring linebackers Mark Wilson and Noah Gibson and safety Gavin Fitzpatrick. West coach Nate Eimer said that defensive line rotation may be the best he's seen this season. He should know, with 300-pound Michigan commit Denver Warren at defensive tackle in front of linebacker JaQuan Buchanan. The Blackhawks are loaded with weapons such as back Hezekiah Salter and receiver Moshe Rogers.
Next week: South Elgin at Glenbard South; West Aurora at Elgin.
Montini (5-0, 1-0) at Loyola (3-2, 0-1) Chicago Catholic League Blue
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Montini 29, St. Rita 13; Loyola 21, St. Ignatius 14.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: After outscoring teams 176-3, last week was a test Montini passed admirably, all the better considering Kent State-bound offensive guard Mike McNicholas was out injured. (He's questionable.) While quarterback Deontay Bell and running back Nick Fedanzo reeled off long runs early and late, linebacker Jackson Bruscianelli, defensive end Fred Stokes and the Broncos defense held St. Rita to 6 points in four first-half red-zone possessions. A greater challenge awaits with the elite Ramblers, whose losses have come against Mt. Carmel and Brother Rice. Montini defensive backs Scott West and Jermari Harris - who hit St. Rita with a quick pick-6 - will be challenged by ace receiver Rory Boos and quarterback Matt Schiltz, whose shotgun spread offerings have netted more yards passing (869) than Loyola has gained rushing (466), but with 8 interceptions to 6 touchdowns. Injuries have sidelined Loyola receiver Noah Jones, QB Jack Fallon.
Next week: Montini at Fenwick; Loyola at De La Salle.
Waubonsie Valley (5-0, 1-0) at Neuqua Valley (3-2, 0-0)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Waubonsie Valley 31, Naperville North 24; Neuqua Valley 38, Jacobs 21.
Last meeting: Week 3, Waubonsie Valley 17, Neuqua Valley 10.
Outlook: Waubonsie won the Sept. 7 nonconference game on Myles Pettaway's 23-yard touchdown catch from Jack Drow to cut Neuqua's series lead to 15-7. Waubonsie hasn't won two straight against the Wildcats since 2007-2008. Getting great defense by multiple sources - last week safety Brandon Guido made 12 tackles and 2 interceptions - the Warriors average 238 yards allowed. That's less than Bryce Logan's 176 yards rushing and Dre'Von Turner's 102 against Naperville North. Neuqua, which returned senior left tackle Jake Bruner from injury, features tailback Will Chevalier. He ran for 157 yards and 4 touchdowns against Jacobs and averages 189 all-purpose yards. Matt Quinn, Kyle Borske, Jake Boumans and the Wildcats defense are tasked with stopping big plays. There will be a few and could include Drow and Neuqua quarterback Mark Gronowski, who lend balance. If it's close late, Warriors kicker Cross Holmes has converted 5 of 7 field-goal tries.
Next week: Prairie Ridge at Waubonsie Valley; Neuqua Valley at Naperville Central.
Wheaton Warrenville South (4-1, 2-1) at Wheaton North (3-2, 2-1)
DuKane Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Batavia 41, WW South 20; Wheaton North 23, Glenbard North 21.
Last year: Wheaton North 19, WW South 14.
Outlook: For both sides it's the perfect time for the cross-town game. WW South is coming off its first loss - to the defending Class 7A champion - and will have little trouble regrouping for the Falcons. Wheaton North, meanwhile, beat Lake Park in overtime two weeks ago and last week downed Glenbard North on the final play of the game. The Falcons, in other words, are on a roll. Junior quarterback Nathan Love guided the Falcons down the field for the game-winning drive. Pair that with the ground game led by Antowon Tolbert and it presents a stiff challenge to WW South's defense with strength at all three levels. A little banged up, the Tigers have seen linebackers Michael Rogers and Will Cassin step up. Jake Arthurs continues to power the Tigers' run game while quarterback Noah Henkel and receiver Tiwan Smith have hooked up 15 times for 245 yards. There are a bunch of good linebackers in the DKC, and Falcons' junior Xander Mueller is among the best.
Next week: Lake Park at WW South; Wheaton North at Geneva.
Willowbrook (5-0) at York (3-2)
Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Willowbrook 20, Hinsdale South 10; Hinsdale Central 35, York 13.
Last year: Willowbrook 45, York 22.
Outlook: Willowbrook hopped a huge step closer to claiming a second straight West Suburban Gold title with last week's win, and the Warriors can't afford to look past the Dukes in this WSC crossover. Willowbrook is 5-0 for the first time since 2000, and could be 6-0 for the first time since that same season. Junior quarterback Sam Tumilty got some help balancing the offense last week when D'onte Gholston rushed for 73 yards and a 55-yard touchdown. York's defense is stout up front and boasts one of the WSC's top linebackers in Zane Heemsoth. The Dukes' offense has been slowed the last couple weeks in losses to Silver powers Glenbard West and Hinsdale South, but they have the potential to eat up huge chunks of clock with running backs KeVon Robinson and Nick Conroy. Willowbrook's defense relies on a bunch of two-way players in addition to some youngsters. Sophomore linebackers Mohammad Ayesh and Sergio Ayala get better every week.
Next week: Morton at Willowbrook; York at Oak Park.
Addison Trail (0-5, 0-2) at Leyden (2-3, 1-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Blazers suffered a heartbreaking 29-26 loss last week to Downers South, but they're focused on the positives. Quarterback Nick Daudelin emerged as a playmaker, throwing for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns, rushing for 105 yards and 2 scores.
Aurora Christian (4-1, 2-1) at St. Francis (4-1, 1-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Aurora Christian quarterback Ethan Hampton will surely sling it, as will Spartans counterpart Tommy Rittenhouse. Since his 3 early interceptions cornerback Joe Lang hasn't been tested much. The pass rush from Dan Skold, Luke Meyer and John Amabile is key.
Benet (3-2, 1-2) at Joliet Catholic (3-2, 2-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Another tough ESCC matchup for the Redwings after two straight losses. The offense must regroup from disappointing outings, but the defense remains strong led by Jack Benish up front. Benet thrived on strong starts early in the season. It's time for another.
Downers Grove South (2-3, 2-1) at Morton (1-4, 0-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: After beating Addison Trail, the Mustangs are poised to make a run at the playoffs. Jayden Lambert, Kenton Johnson and Devean Washington helped the ground game pile up 255 rushing yards. The offense is coming together with George Ross under center.
Glenbard East (5-0, 5-0) at East Aurora (0-5, 0-5)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Fairly early, East Aurora will put the ball in the air. Waiting will be a Rams defense that's intercepted 10 passes, led by safety Jason Torrevillas with 3. Nehemiah Jones is a lockdown corner and coach John Walters calls safety Danny Hurtado a "field general."
Glenbard North (0-5, 0-3) at Lake Park (1-4, 0-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Glenbard North's Angelo Cusumano has momentum off his 102 yards rushing and 56-yard interception return for touchdown. The Lancers hope to return defensive lineman Kyle Holliday. Safety Gianluca Caruso and linebacker Max Kaiser solidify the defense.
Guerin (2-3, 0-3) at Fenton (2-3, 0-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Guerin is improved but will encounter Fenton's Ethan Doliente, who made 16 tackles last week. Former lineman Jimmy Deckert pounds the rock behind Eric Moreno, Julian Giles, Austin Adkins, Jeff Andrews and Angelo Mendoza, solid up front all season.
Hinsdale Central (4-1, 3-0) at Proviso West (0-5, 0-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Red Devils running back Luke Skokna is out for the season with a knee injury, but Matt Bobak has taken the reins of the ground game. Matt Rush threw 5 touchdowns last week, including 3 to Nick Beaulieu, who had 5 catches for 94 yards.
IC Catholic (5-0, 3-0) at Aurora Central Catholic (2-3, 1-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: After last week's 44-0 win at Aurora Christian, ICCP earned No. 1 ranking in Class 4A The Associated Press. Linebackers Kevin Cooke and Dom Krepulec led 18 Knights who made tackles. Back Kyle Franklin needs 212 yards rushing for 1,000 on the season.
Lyons Twp. (1-4, 1-1) at Glenbard West (4-1, 2-0)Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: Injuries are hampering Glenbard West's defense, but Will Skowronski has stepped up at linebacker and A.J. Avolio has done the same at cornerback. While running the ball remains the offensive focus, quarterback Tommy Bleker is getting better each week.
Metea Valley (0-5) at Bradley-Bourbonnais (2-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Metea dug a deep hole against Naperville Central and still Mustangs back Colin Wilcox ran behind tackle Kiamiarron Howze for 85 yards, 2 touchdowns. Bradley will see that and crowd the line. Metea aims to counter by Max Reeves completing passes downfield.
Naperville Central (3-2, 1-0) vs. Naperville North (1-4, 0-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at North Central College in Naperville.
The quick hit: The Huskies' four losses have come to teams with a combined 18-2 record. Drake MacIntyre has provided invaluable depth at linebacker. Redhawks defensive backs Jack Jopes and Jamarri Moore will try slowing Naperville North quarterback Cliff Vickers.
Oak Park (3-2, 1-1) at Downers Grove North (2-3, 1-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Even in its two losses Oak Park's defense has been pretty solid. Downers North relies mainly on the run with quarterback Drew Cassens, but he's also developed a nice passing attack with tight ends Roberto Sauer and two-way starter Joe Passarelli.
Proviso East (2-3, 1-2) at Hinsdale South (3-2, 2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: A valiant comeback effort fell short for the Hornets last week against Willowbrook, but the Hornets remain focused on staying in the hunt in the WSC Gold. Quarterback Marquese Garrett and running back Devin Smith combined for 170 rushing yards in the loss.
Reed-Custer (2-3, 0-2) at Lisle (5-0, 3-0)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Reed-Custer's 169 points lead the Interstate Eight Small Division, but Lisle linemen Charlie Waldusky, Zach Zikuda, Kevin Paz and Mike Walker are a handful and the Lions have 10 interceptions. Quarterback Jay McGrath takes what the defense gives.
Salem (3-2) at Westmont (3-2)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: With only 8 "playoff points," or combined wins by opponents, Westmont needs three wins in its last four games to make its first postseason since 2006. A strong run game by Ishmay Kone and Troy Schlicher can keep Salem's balanced offense off the field.
West Chicago (0-5, 0-5) at Bartlett (3-2, 3-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Wildcats found details matter when a blocked PAT was the difference against Elgin. Pluses included Jordan Garcia's first 100-yard ground game and quality play from linebackers Alex and Adam Hey, Marco Calderon and Alex Resindez, good prep for Bartlett.
Wheaton Academy (3-2, 0-2) at Bishop McNamara (4-1, 2-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: McNamara, which had IC Catholic beat until the last 16 seconds, will be tough. The Warriors expect Cristian Carstens to return to the backfield, where last week Jay Callentine ran for 100 yards, 2 touchdowns. Christian Pares made 3 tackles for loss with 2 sacks.