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Scouting Week 5 Fox football games

South Elgin (4-0, 4-0) vs. Glenbard East (2-2, 2-2)When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (Millennium Field, Streamwood)

Notable: Two of the top squads in the Upstate Eight do battle in Streamwood Saturday. "Glenbard East always plays good, hard defense," South Elgin coach Dragan Teonic said. "They rarely give up points and rally to the ball well. As always, our keys to success will be pad level, ball security and line play." Regarding line play, Teonic is looking for big things from offensive lineman Michael Roath and tight end Joey Viverito. "How well these two play will go a long way toward our success Saturday," he said. South Elgin can attack a number of ways, with a variety of talented runners. Senior running back Davion Cherwin is the feature back for South Elgin.

Hampshire (3-0, 3-0) at Huntley (4-0, 4-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Notable: Hampshire rolls into Huntley on a three-game winning streak, but Whips coach Jake Brosman knows another Fox Valley toughie awaits. "The entire Fox Valley Conference is tough and you have to execute at a high level," he said. "We need to understand our rules each week and execute them at a high level. Huntley is a very good team. They have great speed all over the field and have some very skilled players." Two stalwarts of late for Hampshire have been inside linebacker Neil Sakolari and offensive lineman Patryk Barnas. "Neil has played great on defense," Brosman said. "He has been an integral part of our defense for the past three years. Patryk has led our offensive line the whole year and in the off-season. He brings an attitude that lifts other guys up, and has created great blocking up front. Our offensive line is a group to watch (this week). There has been great blocking, allowing us to move the ball efficiently."

Ridgewood (0-3, 0-3) at Aurora Christian (1-2, 1-1)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Notable: Aurora Christian coach David Beebe said keys to success against Metro Suburban Conference foe Ridgewood involve stopping big plays and running the ball effectively. To that point, running back Cam Ajazi has averaged more than 100 yards of offense per game, while quarterback Tyler Brueckner ran 16 times for 186 yards and 4 touchdowns last week. Linebacker Caleb Kok had 18 tackles, 2 1/2 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble. Offensive lineman Nate Henry had 9 pancakes.

Elgin at West ChicagoWhen: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Notable: Maroons coach Anthony Mason has challenged his team the final two weeks. "We can end the season on a high note if we play to the best of our ability," he said. "We did not play well against Bartlett and it showed. We played OK against Streamwood and they outlasted in the battle. I want to see our team play well in all facets, and we will end on a high note. No silly penalties, missed assignments and missed alignments." Alex West and JaKare Wilson have been standouts for Elgin of late. "Alex has become our leader in all facets, and has grown tremendously in our program," Mason said. "He is doing everything for us and it is something that we always wanted him to be able to do because he has all the talent. JaKare has done everything asked of him. Coming off a late off-season and not being able to get all the training, he is now stepping up on defense and has become a force on the defensive line." Mason said junior offensive linemen Tony Rios and Will Zamecnik are key against West Chicago, as is Gio Griffin on both sides of the ball.

St. Charles North at Lake ParkWhen: Canceled

St. Charles North notable: Lake Park had its season ended by COVID-19 protocols, which means no Week 5 game for the North Stars (3-1, 3-1), who have been led by the likes of senior inside linebacker Dan Kowaleski and senior offensive tackle Corey Krueger of late. "Dan has been a force on both the defensive line and inside backer," North Stars coach Rob Pomazak said. "Corey has played ever snap at offensive tackle and shown such a huge growth as a player and leader in our program." Pomazak also is eager to see how sophomore safety/running back Drew Surges continues to develop in the program.

East Aurora (0-3, 0-3) at Streamwood (3-1, 3-1)When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Notable: Streamwood's Elvis Iroegbulem had two clutch catches on fourth and long last week in a win against Elgin, including one that went for a touchdown. Jaden Starks also was cited for strong play on both sides of the ball in the trenches. "Jaden had crucial blocks on offense, while applying pressure on defense," Streamwood coach Keith McMaster said. Streamwood is looking for its first winning record since 2011. "Even in a shortened season, this can be the team that future teams look to as a turning point in the program," McMaster said. McMaster also lauded fullback Sean Thompson and the entire Sabres' offensive line. "Sean has had numerous hard-nosed runs inside for us," he said. "We have needed to fluctuate all season, but the guys on the offensive line are really coming together, and this could be the week where they open some big holes for the running backs."

Dundee-Crown (0-3, 0-3) at Burlington Central (0-4, 0-4)When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Notable: Despite an 0-4 mark, Central coach Brian Melvin continues to see progress. "We continue to get better every day," he said. Melvin's team knows they will encounter an athletic Dundee-Crown squad today. "We will need to be able to play in space this week," the coach said. Shawn Adkerson went 11-for-18 for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first-ever quarterback start against Jacobs. Mark Wisnewiski caught 6 balls for 58 yards and 2 scores in the Jacobs game.

Other games

Friday

Batavia at Glenbard North, 5:30 p.m.

Geneva at Wheaton North, 5:30 p.m

St. Charles East at WW South, 5:30 p.m.

Aurora C. Catholic at Chicago Christian

Crystal Lake Central at Cary-Grove, 7 p.m.

Glenbard South at Larkin, 7:30 p.m.

Hope Academy at Marmion Academy, ccd.

Jacobs at Prairie Ridge, 7 p.m.

Kaneland at Ottawa, 6 p.m.

McHenry at Crystal Lake South, 7 p.m.

Minooka at West Aurora, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Bartlett vs. Fenton, 1 p.m. at Serpico Field, Melrose Park

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