Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games
Hinsdale Central (5-0, 2-0) at York (3-2, 2-1)
West Suburban Silver
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Hinsdale Central 35, Downers Grove North 26; Glenbard West 47, York 7.
Last year: Hinsdale Central 35, York 13.
Outlook: As Red Devils senior Michael Brescia showed last week, he's developed into a true dual-threat quarterback. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns while rushing for 109 yards and a fourth score. Running backs Mark Skokna and Nick Franko, who thrived on both sides of the ball, added 80 rushing yards. It's another test for York's defense, especially on the line. That's where Chris Eckard, Liam Enright, Brandon Walker and two-way standout Josh Mathiasen must stand tall after the Dukes allowed nearly 400 rushing yards last week. Four turnovers doomed the Dukes against Glenbard West — they're 3-0 when they've won the turnover battle — in addition to their inability to move the ball on the ground. The good news is quarterback Max Assaad has developed a good rapport with receivers Owen Pechous and Aaron Berman. That, of course, feeds straight into the Red Devils' defensive strength with secondary mates Owen and Guy Goss.
Next week: Proviso West at Hinsdale Central; York at Willowbrook.
Montini (4-1, 1-0) at Notre Dame (5-0, 1-0) CCL/ESCC Green
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Montini 33, St. Viator 14; Notre Dame 14, St. Patrick 0.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: A big first-time meeting. Montini quarterback Deontay Bell has run for a team-high 673 yards with 5 touchdowns and has thrown 11 touchdown passes, 4 to Miami (Ohio) recruit Nate Muersch. Bell hasn't run for less than 151 yards the last three games. The host Dons, who've allowed only 82 points, drew attention by beating Marist and Providence. Their balanced spread offense goes through junior quarterback Anthony Sayles, whom Montini coach Mike Bukovsky called “a game changer.” Julian Schurr and Anthony Ranallo, also a linebacker, run the ball with Schurr moving to the slot in a deep receiving corps. Bukovsky will stress run defense, where the Broncos have excelled. Starting up front with Demond Butcher, Vinicio McPhee, Patrick Peters and Cam Richardson and getting a nice push by safety Jarin Edwards, Montini gives up only 89 yards rushing a game. Linebacker Brandon Liston and safety DiAndre Harris, inactive against St. Viator, return.
Next week: Montini at St. Joseph; Notre Dame at Leo.
Naperville Central (2-3, 2-0) at Neuqua Valley (4-1, 2-0)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Naperville Central 23, Naperville North 7; Neuqua Valley 35, Waubonsie Valley 14.
Last year: Naperville Central 21, Neuqua Valley 14.
Outlook: Naperville Central quarterback Sam Jackson, who's thrown for 968 yards and rushed for 162, is finally getting comfortable with his many receivers, including Bo Turner and Illinois-bound Jadon Thompson, who have combined for 48 catches, 564 yards and 4 touchdowns. Running backs Trevor Simpson and Elijah Jordan have become a powerful tandem. Linebackers Trey Borske and Jack Belskis anchor Neuqua Valley's defense, but the secondary — guys like Puneet Singh, Donovan Navarro and Grant Palmer — will be tested. No one's been able to slow Neuqua Valley quarterback Mark Gronowski, who's thrown for 637 yards and rushed for 341. Receivers Sean Larkin, Patrick Hoffmann and Garrett Stare have been potent. Redhawks defensive linemen Angelo Eklou, Sean Key and Olen Nanninga need to tie up Neuqua Valley up front so linebackers Luke Roth and Luke Peterson can chase down Wildcats running back Armani Moreno, who's rushed for 495 yards.
Next week: Naperville Central at Waubonsie Valley; Neuqua Valley at Metea Valley.
Wheaton North (2-3, 0-3) at Wheaton Warrenville South (3-2, 1-2)
DuKane Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Glenbard North 21, Wheaton North 7; Batavia 42, WW South 21.
Last year: WW South 10, Wheaton North 3.
Outlook: Wheaton North has lost three straight games and the Tigers have lost two in a row. Mark this down as a must-win for both sides. WW South quarterback Parker Brown threw for nearly 300 yards last week, and receiver Kaleb Clousing notched his third straight 100-yard receiving game. The Tigers, however, look to get more from the running back tandem of Jake Arthurs and Prince Lankah. Wheaton North's defensive strength comes from its linebacker corps, and not just Northwestern-bound Xander Mueller. Brayden Cook and Zach Lorentsen both led a pretty solid defensive effort last week. Wheaton North, already struggling with injuries, might be without a couple offensive linemen. That's bad timing going against Tigers defensive lineman Micah Roberts, who's notched several tackles for loss in recent weeks. Lankah will cause disruption up front as well. Falcons receiver Ben Bonga is piling up big numbers from sophomore quarterback Mark Forcucci.
Next week: Geneva at Wheaton North; WW South at Lake Park.
Willowbrook (4-1, 3-0) at Hinsdale South (3-2, 2-0)
West Suburban Gold
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Willowbrook 42, Addison Trail 12; Hinsdale South 32, Downers Grove South 27.
Last year: Willowbrook 20, Hinsdale South 10.
Outlook: The winner of this game likely wins the Gold title, something Willowbrook has done the last two years and the Hornets last did in 2015. Hinsdale South's finally hit its stride on both sides of the ball, thanks in much part to the return of key pieces on defense. Turnovers — three last week including a pair of picks by linebacker Marques Wesley — have helped the Hornets' turnaround. Linebacker Jeremiah Kinsey and linemen Brandon Landfair and Chamill McGee need to slow down Willowbrook quarterback Sam Tumilty, who's thrown for 1,002 yards and rushed for 505 yards. Running backs Ta'Vion Geanes and Jaylon White have helped take the load off Tumilty in the ground game. The return from injury of T.J. Gregory and Carlos Hernandez brought enough depth to the Warriors' defensive line that they're now rotating through about eight different players. Hinsdale South quarterback Marquese Garrett has found a big-play partner in receiver Jaylon Smith.
Next week: York at Willowbrook; Hinsdale South at Proviso East.
The Rest of the Best
Aurora Central Catholic (1-4, 0-2) at IC Catholic Prep (5-0, 3-0)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: There's a records disparity, but it doesn't mean IC Catholic won't continue to go hard — not with a playoff-clinching sixth win on the horizon. Defensive back Justin Hall will be key against ACC's single-wing. Back Kyle Franklin comes off a 241-yard game.
Bartlett (4-1, 4-1) at West Chicago (0-5, 0-5)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: West Chicago running back Oscar Luna has had two straight productive games running the football and the combination of quarterback Luke Krogh to Mark Pinkevich remains dangerous. Also dangerous are Bartlett back Tyler Rivelli and tight end Alec Palella.
Benet (5-0, 1-0) at St. Laurence (3-2, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Considering the tough stretch of games coming up for Benet — Loyola, St. Rita and Nazareth — a sixth win now would be nice. The Redwings played well against the run last week while standout defensive lineman Jacob Snell snared a touchdown pass.
Downers Grove South (2-3, 1-2) at Addison Trail (0-5, 0-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: There's no postseason guarantee for the Mustangs with five wins so they'll enter the final stretch of the season feeling like they need to run the table. In a tough season for the Blazers, A.J. Carlson has excelled with 20 catches for 240 yards and 2 scores.
East Aurora (2-3, 2-3) at Glenbard East (4-1, 4-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Naperville Central grad Nick Kukuc has got East Aurora going. Glenbard East, its 16-game Upstate Eight win streak ended by South Elgin, looks to avoid turnovers that have ruined numerous red zone chances. Defensive end Gabe Jamieson hopes to cause some.
Fenton (2-3, 2-3) at Glenbard South (4-1, 4-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The coaches stressed defending opposing facets — Fenton running back Andre Bess and Glenbard South quarterback Nick Plaso. So, Fenton safety Frank Krygier and Glenbard South linebacker Jeremy Gelino, who made 13 tackles last week, will be busy.
Glenbard West (5-0, 2-0) at Downers Grove North (3-2, 1-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Linebacker injuries are hounding the Hilltoppers, but Brandon Nowinski is close to returning to the lineup and running back Joey Richmond can help on that side of the ball. They'll be focused on Trojans quarterback Drew Cassens and running back Josh Lumpkin.
Lake Park (2-3, 1-2) at Glenbard North (2-3, 2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Lancers linebacker Anthony Beacom stepped up in the ground game last week with running back Jordan Colon injured. He will meet Panthers linebacker Angelo Cusumano, who hit Wheaton North with 8 tackles, a sack and defensive and offensive touchdowns.
Lisle (3-2, 1-2) at Reed-Custer (1-4, 0-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Lisle quarterback Aidan Lombardo was injured late against Wilmington and hopes to return by season's end. Andy Eckard will step behind center Aaron Harris for the Lions, who will emphasize backs Mike Walker, Brett Weber, Dylan Laue and Connor Nigro.
Metea Valley (1-4, 0-2) at Naperville North (1-4, 1-1)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Chalk up another 260 passing yards for Mustangs sophomore quarterback Logan Frederick, who has found a big-play receiver in C.J. Wilcox. The Huskies have a bunch of talented receivers, including Stephan Williams, Zeke Williams and Matt Maschmeier.
St. Francis (4-1, 2-0) at Aurora Christian (3-2, 1-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Coming off its huge win at Bishop McNamara the Spartans will need to retain focus against Aurora Christian quarterback Ethan Hampton's aerial circus. St. Francis defensive backs Ben Bettag, Stefano Bucaro, Jackson Gerard and Eric Welch will be ready.
Waubonsie Valley (2-3, 0-2) at DeKalb (3-2, 1-1)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Three straight losses have the Warriors in must-win mode, but better execution will turn things around. Linemen Sam Skuja and Charlie Millington have been good up front. Barbs running back Jalon Redmond makes it tough for defenses to get off the field.
Westmont (1-4, 0-2) at Guerin (1-3, 0-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: It's been hard keeping Westmont quarterback Zack Fischer healthy. Mason Pardy is always ready. Defensive lineman Jalan Lacy delivered a pass rush last week and will target scrambling Guerin quarterback Bryce Thurman. James Lyzniak runs the ball hard.