Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games
By David Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
kschmit@dailyherald.com
Fenton (4-3, 2-1) at St. Edward (3-4, 3-0)
Metro Suburban Red
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Fenton 31, Ridgewood 21; IC Catholic 35, St. Edward 0.
Last year: St. Edward 55, Fenton 21.
Outlook: Another Fenton victory will gain playoff eligibility and keep the Bison in the hunt for the MSC Red title. Targeting mainly Diamon King, Andre Bess and Ethan Queyquep last week, quarterback Kyle Cacioppo threw for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for 87 yards and 2 more scores. Converted lineman Jimmy Deckert and Ethan Doliente have combined for 1,049 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns. On the road for the first time since Week 1, Bison coach Matthew Lynch's big concern is St. Edward's ground game, which gets healthier with Sidney Muhammad and Clem McCullough back from injury. Doliente has been a force at linebacker behind Fenton defensive ends Louis Rago and Jeff Andrews. St. Edward could clinch at least a tie for the MSC Red title, thus a playoff berth, and earn coach Mike Rolando a program-best 59th win. Running back-linebacker Nick Wright is a one-man gang, leading the Green Wave with 689 yards rushing, 441 yards on kickoff returns and 69 tackles.
Next week: Fenton at Chicago Christian; Ridgewood at St. Edward.
Montini (7-0, 2-0) at Providence (5-2, 1-1) Chicago Catholic League Blue
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Montini 42, Fenwick 0; Mt. Carmel 1, Providence 0 (forfeit).
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: This game pitting the Associated Press' No. 2 team in Class 5A at No. 10 in Class 6A comes in a very short week for Montini, which played on Sunday. Providence will be rested, having forfeited its game at Mt. Carmel; otherwise the Celtics have lost only to unbeaten Brother Rice. Montini running back Nick Fedanzo and quarterback Deontay Bell can strike quickly, but Broncos coach Mike Bukovsky may favor more consistent, methodical chain-moving to keep Providence's offense off the field. The Celtics have two quarterbacks vying for playing time - Ryan Manikowski and Logan Phillips - and running backs Brendan Martus and Aaron Vaughn are a good combination in what Bukovsky typifies as a downhill ground attack. With the CCL Blue title still a goal he's looking for linebackers Jackson Bruscianelli and Trevor Swier and defensive linemen Fred Stokes, Frank Conforti, Patrick Peters, Cam Richardson and Demond Butcher to push past fatigue and stop that.
Next week: Brother Rice at Montini; Providence at Loyola.
Oak Park (5-2, 3-1) at Glenbard West (6-1, 4-0)
West Suburban Silver
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Oak Park 42, York 21; Glenbard West 21, Hinsdale Central 7.
Last year: Glenbard West 24, Oak Park 14.
Outlook: Glenbard West did some heavy lifting while beating Hinsdale Central, but it'll take a win this week to clinch a share of the WSC Silver title. With one-win Proviso West awaiting next week, a win pretty much wraps up the outright title. Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet had high praise for Oak Park sophomore quarterback Jaden McGill, a run-first threat who's getting better each week with the pass. Paired with running back Nazareth Bryant, this looks like a strength-on-strength matchup against Glenbard West's defense, which hopes to return linebacker Otis Neavins from injury. Fellow linebacker Jayden Rodgers is another run-stuffer. Even with running back Kameron Bedford sidelined with injury, Glenbard West's ground game is still deep and potent led by running back Tyquan Cox, who has 892 yards and 14 touchdowns. That's due to the emergence of Nick Seifert and quarterback Tommy Bleker, who needs to keep the Huskies' defense honest with timely passing.
Next week: Lyons Twp. at Oak Park; Glenbard West at Proviso West.
St. Francis (6-1, 3-1) at IC Catholic (7-0, 4-0)
Metro Suburban Blue
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last week: St. Francis 49, Riverside-Brookfield 6; IC Catholic 35, St. Edward 0.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: St. Francis clinched its first playoff berth since 2014 and seeks a share of the Metro Suburban Blue title. The Spartans field a nice mix of youth and experience. Sophomore quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse has passed for 873 yards and 14 touchdowns, his top target being freshman Tyler Bishop. Senior receiver Joe Lang has successfully shifted to running back due to injury there. A huge key will be how Dan Skold, Connor Schmidt and their Spartans offensive linemates match up against ICCP's defensive front. Michael Johnson, Kevin Akins and 300-pounders Ricky Mysliwiec and Koby Reed allow linebackers Dom Krepulec and Kevin Cooke to make their 52 and 85 tackles, respectively. Ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, ICCP allows 6.7 points a game and has eight players with at least 1 interception. Khalil Saunders has gelled at quarterback, passing for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns and running for 191 yards. Sophomore running back Kyle Franklin has 902 yards rushing, 16 touchdowns.
Next week: St. Francis at Aurora Central Catholic; Riverside-Brookfield at IC Catholic.
Waubonsie Valley (5-2, 1-1) at Naperville Central (5-2, 3-0)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Prairie Ridge 21, Waubonsie Valley 19; Naperville Central 21, Neuqua Valley 14.
Last year: Naperville Central 43, Waubonsie Valley 37.
Outlook: A win here keeps Waubonsie Valley in play for a DuPage Valley Conference title share and secures a playoff spot. The Warriors, led defensively by linebackers Carson O'Donnell with 93 tackles and Ryan Mutz with 82, have lost two straight but played right with two-time defending 6A champion Prairie Ridge. Tailback Bryce Logan has run for 813 yards, nearly 6 yards a carry. Facing a strong passing team, cornerback Elijah Smith enters with 3 interceptions, safety Brandon Guido with 2. Big game for Naperville Central, which can wrap up the outright DuPage Valley Conference title and clinch a playoff berth. Western Michigan-bound Redhawks quarterback Payton Thorne has thrown for 1,853 yards and 20 touchdowns, with receiver Cade McDonald getting a good chunk of that action with 50 catches. Sam Jackson adds another 34 receptions. Running back Danny Hughes, meanwhile, is closing in on 1,000 yards. Redhawks safety Jack Jopes is a big-play machine.
Next week: Waubonsie Valley at Metea Valley; Naperville Central at Cary-Grove.
Addison Trail (0-7, 1-4) at Morton (1-6, 0-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: On the heels of its best offensive effort of the season, Addison Trail closes its schedule with a pair of winnable games. Nick Daudelin last week threw for 201 yards and 4 touchdowns with A.J. Carlson snagging 7 catches for 150 yards and a pair of scores.
Benet (5-2, 3-2) at Marian Catholic (1-6, 0-5)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Still banged up after last week's blowout win, the Redwings hope to heal more with this one. Offensive lineman Mike McGivney and defensive lineman Jacob Snell might return from injury. Ben Hickey last week rushed for over 100 yards in limited action.
Downers Grove South (4-3) at Downers Grove North (3-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Between the Mustangs' finale against unbeaten Willowbrook and Downers North's four losses, this is basically a playoff game. Trojans two-way standout Joe Passarelli was outstanding last week while notching 11 tackles and scoring three times.
Geneva (1-6, 1-4) at Lake Park (2-5, 1-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: After facing one confident team in WW South, the Lancers now take on the Vikings coming off their first win. Defensive back Nathan Reid has been a nice addition to Lake Park's rotation of receivers. Defensive lineman Sean Cox has a motor that doesn't stop.
Glenbard East (7-0, 7-0) at Glenbard South (4-3, 4-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Glenbard East stats indicate the Rams own a 12-7 lead in the series. Wideout Jeremy Johnson has caught 14 of Bret Bushka's 17 touchdown passes. The Raiders secondary of Gavin Fitzpatrick, Tajuan McKinnie, Miles Horton and Cade DiFranco are on high alert.
Hinsdale Central (5-2, 4-1) at Lyons Twp. (1-6, 1-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: After the bad news of last week's loss to Glenbard West, the good news would arrive with a clinched playoff berth for the eighth straight season if the Red Devils beat the Lions. Aidan Cruickshank and Guyhenry Goss combined for 26 tackles last week.
Huntley (5-2) at Naperville North (2-5)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The DuPage Valley's tour of the Fox Valley Conference continues with the Huskies playing Huntley. Dylan Wojtyla last week had a tackle for loss, a batted-down pass and a fumble recovery. He's also provided invaluable help on the offensive line for the Huskies.
Leyden (3-4, 2-2) at Hinsdale South (5-2, 4-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Hinsdale Central looms next week for the Hornets, so they'd love to clinch playoff qualification against a dangerous Leyden group. Hinsdale South junior quarterback Marquese Garrett has accounted for more than 1,200 total yards and 18 touchdowns.
Metea Valley (1-6, 0-2) at Neuqua Valley (4-3, 1-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Metea lineman Matt Vodden returns yet again from injury. Finding his stride, quarterback Max Reeves threw a perfect TD pass last week to Colin Wilcox. The Mustangs' main task is trying to contain Neuqua's Will Chevalier, who averages 189 all-purpose yards.
Proviso West (1-6, 0-4) at York (2-5, 1-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: York was eliminated from playoff contention last week with six defensive starters out due to injury. Zane Heemsoth and John Milling still anchored the unit but the Dukes have been thinned. Running back KeVon Robinson has been pressed into two-way duty.
Sandwich (3-4) at Lisle (7-0)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at Benedictine University in Lisle.
The quick hit: Lisle may earn a first-round playoff game with a win. Defensive linemen Kevin Paz and Mike Walker will bring it against Sandwich's power Wing-T ground game. If thinking pass, last week Jay McGrath and Connor Nigro raised Lisle's interception total to 14.
St. Charles East (4-3, 2-3) at Wheaton North (3-4, 2-3)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Falcons suddenly have line depth with the return from injury of sophomore Aiden Olsen. Walker Rickford has been solid in his absence and Trevor Gabriele has been good on both sides of the ball. Sophomore Samson Zander had his first 100-yard rushing game.
West Chicago (0-7, 0-7) at Streamwood (1-6, 1-6)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Running back Jordan Garcia's injury put Alex Hey back in the spot for the first time since Week 1. Tackle Matt Gilbert also moves back to the offensive line to shore up injury. A senior in his first year of football, last week Spencer Usedom caught a 55-yard TD pass.
Westmont (4-3) at Warren (0-7)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: In his second start at quarterback, against Westville Gavin Carr threw for 225 yards with 2 touchdowns to Michael Thompson, another to Jaden West. Coach Dan Woulfe expects Warren to run the ball after West, Carr and Ryan Midgley each intercepted passes.
Wheaton Academy (4-3, 1-3) at Riverside-Brookfield (2-5, 0-4)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The time is "now," Wheaton Academy coach Brad Thornton said, to clinch playoff eligibility. Riverside-Brookfield's 3-3 defense allows opportunities to run the ball, and the Warriors have options there with Cristian Carstens, Jay Callentine and Josh Schauer.
WW South (6-1, 4-1) at Glenbard North (0-7, 0-5)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Tigers want to improve their playoff seed. Receiver Tiwan Smith is a big-play threat averaging 21 yards per catch. Still, Glenbard North remains wary of the Tigers' ground game. Panthers linebackers Maksym Shershen and Jake Wilson are on the case.
Willowbrook (7-0, 4-0) at Proviso East (2-5, 1-3)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Warriors have scored at least 40 points three times, and this could be No. 4. If the Pirates somehow slow quarterback Sam Tumilty, there are plenty of other playmakers ready to emerge, including D'onte Gholston and Everett Stubblefield.