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Week 4: Scouting the DuPage Valley

Lake Park (2-1, 2-0) at Naperville North (3-0, 2-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: DeKalb 20, Lake Park 17; Naperville North 43, Wheaton North 25.

Last year: Naperville North 28, Lake Park 23.

Outlook: There's no masking the disappointment from last week's loss for the Lancers. Still 2-0 in the DVC, however, every goal remains in front of them. No one wants an offensive shootout with the Huskies, but the Lancers might be capable of keeping up. Quarterback Jackson Behles is one of the DVC's best, and five receivers have at least 4 catches. The running game is also balanced with David Kirkpatrick-Hardwick seizing the lead role with 246 rushing yards. Naperville North's defense received a huge boost last week when all-DVC linebacker Ryan Marrano saw his first action of the season. Naperville North's offense revolves around Drake Davis, who's thrown for 942 yards, and receivers Nick Calcagno and Ryan Laurenzo. Brett Zdrubecky and Ameir Wilbourn have been coming on in the run game. Lake Park's injury-riddled defensive line returns Kyle Holliday this week. Cornerbacks Solomon Sangobowale and Rashad Khwaja face their biggest test of the season.

Next week: Wheaton North at Lake Park; Naperville North at Glenbard North.

Naperville Central (3-0, 3-0) at Waubonsie Valley (1-2, 1-2)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Naperville Central 55, Metea Valley 7; Neuqua Valley 29, Waubonsie Valley 7.

Last year: Naperville Central 33, Waubonsie Valley 16.

Outlook: Redhawks running back A.J. Deinhart could have played last week, but he sat to rest a mild injury. Naperville Central still focused on running the ball, and Danny Hughes and Anthony Antrobus combined for 165 rushing yards. The way quarterback Payton Thorne is connecting with Jayden Reed and Tommy Coyne, the offense looks unstoppable right now. The Warriors' secondary of Derric Lee, Nick Lamoso, Brandon Guido and Jamarri Moore has a tall task. Waubonsie Valley brings solid defenders such as Week 3 tackles leader Carson O'Donnell and fellow linebacker Kyle Schroeder, but coach Paul Murphy thinks the best defense is ball-control offense. A minus-6 turnover ratio doesn't complement the gelling offensive line of Charlie Millington, Connor Forrest, Alex Lemmons, Jorge Sanchez and Matt Williamson. Naperville Central linebackers Michael Wang and Matt Oliver are freed up by the work up front by talented linemen like Lavar Archibald.

Next week: WW South at Naperville Central; Waubonsie Valley at Metea Valley.

Glenbard North (1-2) at McCracken (Ky.) (1-3)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday in Paducah, Kentucky.

The quick hit: The Panthers road trip with momentum off beating WW South. Linebacker Angelo Cusumano began the scoring on an interception return and tailback Jayleen Fitzpatrick ended it with 2 touchdown runs. Outrushing a foe 231-63 is playing solid football.

Metea Valley (0-3, 0-3) at Wheaton North (2-1, 1-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Metea is hopeful Penn State-bound tackle Bryce Effner returns from illness to add consistency to the offensive line. Running back Sam Singleton is the workhorse of Wheaton North's offense. Linebacker Bo Neidballa is the hammer of the defense.

Neuqua Valley (2-1, 2-1) at WW South (0-3, 0-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Lost in WW South's tough start has been the stellar play of offensive lineman Ramiro Ferrer and inside linebacker Brian Haw. Meanwhile, Neuqua's line has rallied with center Kenny Shultz, right guard Austin Mesnard and right tackle Alex Waldinger.

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