Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games
DeKalb (5-2, 3-1) at Naperville Central (3-4, 3-1) DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last week: DeKalb 49, Naperville North 19; Naperville Central 28, Waubonsie Valley 14.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: The Redhawks are calling this the second round of the playoffs. They certainly face a playoff-caliber team in DeKalb, which has acclimated itself well to the rigors of the DVC with just a 4-point loss to Neuqua Valley standing between the Barbs and the top of the standings. It's the diversity of the offense that makes DeKalb so dangerous. Running back Trenton McCollum and the ground game rolled up 250 rushing yards last week. Naperville Central defensive back Jake Lynch snared 2 interceptions, including a pick-6 last week, but the defensive effort starts up front with Angelo Eklou, Olen Nanninga, Sean Key and Patrick Grange. Naperville Central's offense is light years ahead of where it was at the start of the season thanks to junior quarterback Sam Jackson, a Minnesota commit who this week was offered by Michigan State. He has several playmakers in receivers Jadon Thompson, Bo Turner, Keon Green and Reggie Fleurima.
Next week: DeKalb at Alton; East St. Louis at Naperville Central.
Glenbard North (4-3, 4-1) at Wheaton Warrenville South (5-2, 3-2)
DuKane Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Glenbard North 33, St. Charles North 14; WW South 27, Lake Park 7.
Last year: WW South 24, Glenbard North 13.
Outlook: Glenbard North had to beat either St. Charles North or WW South to keep its playoff hope alive. The Panthers earned that first win with their top offensive performance to date, quarterback Mike Vazquez, running back Jordan McQuarter and receiver Kobie Jamison all major contributors. Maintaining that play-action efficiency while sophomore defensive tackle Max Eick and linebacker Angelo Cusumano help limit WW South's solid ground game to its own half of the field are keys. Despite the passing ability of Vazquez, WW South knows it must first stop the run. While nose Ben Burger eats up linemen, linebackers Will Cassin, Tommy Barnett and Michael Rogers must be free to make tackles. Between running backs Jake Arthurs and Prince Lankah — players who likely will see time on defense — the Tigers have piled up 936 rushing yards. Tigers quarterback Parker Brown and receiver Kaleb Clousing have combined for 27 catches, 403 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Next week: Geneva at Glenbard North; St. Charles North at WW South.
Hinsdale Central (7-0, 4-0) at Glenbard West (7-0, 4-0)
West Suburban Silver
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Hinsdale Central 49, Proviso West 6; Glenbard West 42, Lyons Twp. 0.
Last year: Glenbard West 21, Hinsdale Central 7.
Outlook: Even though the Hilltoppers have lost to Hinsdale Central only once since 2007, most games have been pretty evenly played. The Red Devils practiced on grass this week to prepare for Duchon Field, which could get torn up with rain in the forecast. No one's slowed the Hilltoppers' ground game of Jalen Moore, Joey Richmond, Nic Seifert and Samson Zander, who have combined for 2,153 yards and 36 touchdowns. Quarterback Braden Spiech is dangerous in play action. The good news for Hinsdale Central is the return of several starters from injury, including defensive back Guy Goss and lineman Kiran Amegadjie. Glenbard West's defense is also getting healthy, making their corps of linebackers especially effective. That's inside with Brandon Nowinski and Kyle Rossy and outside with Greyson Metz and Caleb Moorehead. Red Devils quarterback Michael Brescia and receiver Braden Contreras have combined for 10 touchdowns. Last week Mark Skokna rushed for 161 yards.
Next week: Lyons Twp. at Hinsdale Central; Glenbard West at Oak Park.
IC Catholic Prep (7-0, 4-0) at St. Francis (6-1, 4-0)
Metro Suburban Blue
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wheaton College.
Last week: IC Catholic 41, St. Edward 0; St. Francis 59, Riverside-Brookfield 13.
Last year: IC Catholic 54, St. Francis 20.
Outlook: Three-time defending state champion IC Catholic, winner of 33 straight games and four straight MSC divisional titles, visits a resurgent St. Francis squad averaging 51 points. The Knights' up-tempo offense will take what St. Francis' defense allows, whether it's quarterback Danny Cronin running read option with running back Kyle Franklin or passing to people like Chauncey Lee, also ICCP's top cover man on defense. Beast linebacker Kevin Cooke will try to keep St. Francis back Ben Radel inside, while it'll be all hands on deck limiting big plays by Spartans receivers Tyler Bishop, Ryan French, Jake Tangorra and scrambling quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse. Two-way bruisers Connor Schmidt, Ryan Holleman, Michael Bumpus and T.J. McMillen head physical St. Francis line play. The Knights will test their stamina by rotating in numerous players on both lines. Spartans coach Bob McMillen was ICCP's first Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. One day, Knights coach Bill Krefft will join him.
Next week: IC Catholic at Riverside-Brookfield; Aurora Central Catholic at St. Francis.
Oak Park (3-4, 2-2) at York (3-4, 2-2)
West Suburban Silver
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Downers Grove North 14, Oak Park 7; Willowbrook 35, York 21.
Last year: Oak Park 42, York 21.
Outlook: One look at the records tells the story as York tries to stay alive for its first playoff berth since 2011. At the same time the Dukes can end Oak Park's streak of seven straight playoff appearances. It's no secret what York's defense needs to do, and that's slow down the Huskies' talented tandem of quarterback Jaden McGill and running back Nazareth Bryant. York junior Fred Levins has returned from injury to not only bolster the offense at tight end but also deepen the Dukes' group of linebackers. York's offense has shown the ability to be diverse, but the Dukes need to get both the run and pass going in this one. A quick score would be nice to thwart the trend of early deficits they've faced. Quarterback Max Assaad has thrown for 886 yards and completed at least 11 passes to five receivers. Willowbrook stymied York's run game last week, but Dukes running back Nick Conroy, who's rushed for 678 yards, has been explosive at times this season.
Next week: York at Proviso West; Glenbard West at Oak Park.
Best of the rest
Addison Trail (0-7, 0-4) at Hinsdale South (3-4, 2-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Blazers saw some good news on offense last week as quarterback Anthony Valenti and receiver A.J. Carlson combined for 97 yards. Hinsdale South was without six offensive starters last week. Now the Hornets must win this week and next to be playoff eligible.
Benet (6-1) at St. Rita (4-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Not only does Benet defensive lineman Jacob Snell have 13 tackles for loss, he also has 13 catches and 3 touchdowns at tight end. The Redwings will try to slow Mustangs sophomore running back Kaleb Brown, who already holds several scholarship offers.
De La Salle (3-4) at Montini (5-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: A Week 6 loss then last week's forfeit win inactivity makes this important for Montini, the healthiest it's been in a few weeks. Broncos C.J. Bufkin, DiAndre Harris and Jarin Edwards will try to limit versatile Jason Moore from a desperate De La Salle team.
Downers Grove South (4-3, 3-2) at Leyden (2-5, 2-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Mustangs likely need two wins to qualify for the playoffs. Defensive lineman Sean Lee plans to return from injury. Richard Pecenka continues to fill in for injured Rashon Murff at running back, but Jayden Lambert leads the team with 315 rushing yards.
Fenton (2-5, 2-5) at East Aurora (3-4, 3-4)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: It seems like all of a sudden Fenton is on a five-game skid. The Bison are better than that and look to end improved East Aurora's playoff dream. Bison running back Andre Bess is just 110 yards away from 1,000 yards rushing this season, with 13 touchdowns.
Glenbard South (5-2, 5-2) at Glenbard East (6-1, 6-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The host owns a 13-7 edge over the Raiders. Glenbard South receiver Cade Hardtke returns from injury to give quarterback Nick Plaso another target. Glenbard East's Anthony Coco, Dan Quirk, Gabe Jamieson and Jason Torrevillas all made 10 tackles last week.
Lake Park (2-5, 1-4) at Geneva (0-7, 0-5)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Linebacker-running back Anthony Beacom, who last week rushed for 70 yards, continues to put in yeoman's work on both sides of the ball. Quarterbacks Nathanael Merchant and Dylan Curry split time last week, with Nico Romano as the primary receiver.
Lisle (4-3, 2-3) at Peotone (5-2, 3-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Peotone's Ben Balmer and Sam Biedron provide a physical ground presence and a challenge for Lisle linebackers Brett Weber and Mike Walker, defensive backs Dylan Laue, Connor Nigro and Demetrius King. A win here should get the Lions into the playoffs.
Lyons Twp. (3-4, 1-3) at Downers Grove North (4-3, 2-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Trojans coach Joe Horeni believes last week's win over Oak Park was their best defensive effort thanks in much part to linebacker Ryan Schindler and defensive back Drew Cassens. Last week Cassens threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Sam Barbato.
Metea Valley (1-6, 0-4) at Waubonsie Valley (2-5, 0-4)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: A wicked flu bug put Mustangs two-way standout Austin Frederick out of last week's lineup. Shane Murphy stepped up in his place. Waubonsie Valley, eliminated from playoff contention with its fifth straight loss, will try to slow Mustangs receiver C.J. Wilcox.
Neuqua Valley (6-1, 4-0) at Naperville North (2-5, 2-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: A win gives the Wildcats their first outright DVC title. They allowed 250 passing yards last week, and Naperville North hopes to do similar with receivers Stephan Williams and Zeke Williams. Slowing Wildcats running back Armani Moreno won't be easy.
Riverside-Brookfield (5-2, 2-2) at Wheaton Academy (4-3, 1-3)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The first of two crucial games for the Warriors, with Aurora Christian in Week 9. Funny, but quarterback Shane Baumgarten's early injury created a silver lining. David Dorn has done a great job in the position; Baumgarten's return has shored up backfield injuries.
St. Edward (4-3, 4-0) at Westmont (2-5, 1-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Westmont's 21-0 win over Ridgewood was its most complete game this fall, maybe in coach Dan Woulfe's three seasons. The Sentinels must have more plays like Jason Eiermann's 2 interceptions and get a pass rush from the Lischalk brothers, Isaac and Gabe.
Streamwood (2-5, 2-5) at West Chicago (0-7, 0-7)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: West Chicago can't turn the ball over. If Streamwood's nearly 100 percent run-based double-wing offense is able to control entire quarters, the Wildcats will get few chances. Quarterback Luke Krogh will be passing into a Sabres strength, its defensive secondary.
Wheaton North (3-4, 1-4) at St. Charles East (6-1, 4-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Falcons will try to remain alive for the playoffs against the hottest team in the DuKane Conference. A total effort gave Wheaton North last week's shutout win over Geneva. The defense allowed only 88 yards while Brayton Maske rushed for over 100 yards.
Willowbrook (6-1, 4-0) at Morton (0-7, 0-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: With a win the Warriors clinch at least a share of their third straight WSC Gold title. Quick starts have been key for Willowbrook, and not just with quarterback Sam Tumilty. Last week running back Ta'Vion Geanes capped three drives with touchdowns.