Scouting DuPage County football games
By Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
kschmit@dailyherald.com
Metea Valley (3-0, 1-0) at S. Elgin (1-2, 1-0)
Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Last week: Metea Valley 47, E. Aurora 0; S. Elgin 42, Lake Park 7
Last year: South Elgin 48, Metea Valley 13
Outlook: Metea will likely head into a festival atmosphere in South Elgin’s first game at its new on-campus stadium. (Phase II will eventually include lights.) Metea encounters the 1-2 punch of Storm quarterback Zach Gross and tailback Adolfo Pacheco, who ran for 104 and 154 yards, respectively, against Lake Park. Headed by linebackers Donovan Rowsey and Andre Lagasca, Metea didn’t let East Aurora past its own 50-yard line until late.
The Mustangs obviously dominated the Tomcats, quarterback Jarrett House throwing the ball 6 times with touchdowns to Ben Hulet, Aaron Laskey and Blaze Miller. The best news was running back TréSean Mackey, who scored 3 touchdowns on 4 carries. That gives Metea its own 1-2 punch, with back Cameron Wilcox. The key is plain old execution. “They’re going to be good enough on defense that if we kick the ball around there won’t be enough margin of error to put the ball in the end zone,” said Metea coach Ted Monken.
Next week: Waubonsie Valley at Metea Valley; South Elgin at Neuqua Valley.
Montini (2-1, 1-0) at Marian Central (3-0, 1-0)
Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Montini 13, Marmion 6; Marian Cent. 24, St. Francis 6
Last year: Montini 35, Marian Central 6; Montini 24, Marian Central 10 (5A playoffs)
Outlook: Last week’s victories by both these combatants makes this a game for control of the SCC Blue. St. Francis was on the wrong end of a 21-0 Marian run in Woodstock, a very difficult place to play. Crafty Hurricanes coach Ed Brucker got 6 to start the second half on a kick return for touchdown, but the key for Montini is to bottle up junior quarterback Chris Streveler and the spread offense. That may be more difficult now that defensive end Fred Beaugard (dislocated shoulder) joins tackle Josh Rogers (finger) on the sideline.
Sophomore tackle Edgar Ruano filled in admirably with 12 tackles against Marmion, second to middle linebacker Franklin Bruscianelli’s 17, but the defense must penetrate a Marian line featuring NIU-bound tackle Scott Taylor. The Broncos’ own spread offense, intercepted 3 times by Marmion before Jordan Westerkamp won it on a 4-yard run, seeks more consistency. “We need to have some drives,” said Montini coach Chris Andriano.
Next week: Aurora Christian at Montini; Aurora Cent. at Marian C.
Hinsdale C. (2-1, 0-1) at Glenbard W. (3-0, 1-0)
West Suburban Silver
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Proviso West 30, Hinsdale Central 22; Glenbard West 31, Lyons Twp. 3.
Last year: Glenbard West 28, Hinsdale Central 7.
Outlook: Glenbard West’s potent ground game gets a huge boost with running back Kendall Johnson seeing his first action of the season. As strong as he is running the ball with Avery Balogh, Joey Zito and others, Johnson also will be a nice addition to the passing game of quarterback Justice Odom. After spending the first three weeks rotating quarterbacks Brian Owens and Danny Callahan, Hinsdale Central coach Rich Tarka said Owens will assume full-time duties behind center. Not only will it bolster the Red Devils’ passing game, it’ll allow Callahan to contribute at running back and cornerback.
Owens needs to be wary of Hilltoppers defensive backs Mike and Matt Marston, who each had an interception last week. Despite backfield injuries to Jack Adams and Teddy Kwasigroch, Hinsdale Central must find a way to control the ball with the pass and keep Glenbard West’s offense off the field. Hilltoppers receiver Nathan Marcus is primed for a breakout game.
Next week: Lyons Twp. at Hinsdale C.; Glenbard West at Oak Park.
Addison Trail (3-0, 1-0) at Hinsdale S. (2-1, 1-0)
West Suburban Gold
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Addison Trail 14, Leyden 7; Hinsdale S. 28, Proviso E. 26.
Last year: Addison Trail 35, Hinsdale South 8.
Outlook: Addison Trail’s offense struggled mightily last week, but coach Paul Parpet said it had more to do with a lack of execution than the Blazers playing without running back-receiver Anthony Catanese. The Blazers’ top playmaker is still questionable after suffering a Week 2 stinger. Phil Partipilo is filling in for Catanese while Anthony Messina and Vince Beltrano are receiving the bulk of the carries. If Catanese can’t play, look for the Blazers to again lean on a defense — led by linebackers Mike Imperiale and Kevin Kent — that allowed only 65 total yards to Leyden.
Hinsdale South is dealing with its own injury issues after two-way standout D.J. King suffered a Week 2 wrist injury. The Hornets nearly blew a 28-7 fourth-quarter lead last week but the offense came up with just enough offense to pull out the win. Junior quarterback D.J. Deolitsis’ option game accounted for 72 passing yards, 67 rushing yards and all 4 touchdowns. Keontae Hall added 83 rushing yards.
Next week: Morton at Addison Trail; Hinsdale South at Leyden.
WW South (1-2, 1-0) at Naperville N. (1-2, 0-1)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday,
Last week: WW South 20, West Aurora 6; Wheaton North 24, Naperville North 13.
Last year: WW South 41, Naperville North 13.
Outlook: A third loss this early in the season would make the margin for error to reach the postseason extremely small, so expect a sense of urgency from the two teams that have accounted for the last eight DuPage Valley Conference championships. The outcome could come down to which side presents a more-balanced offense. WW South showed last week it can control the ball on the ground with Dan Vitale, who rushed for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns. Injured back Patrick Garner, though, thins the run game.
Naperville North running back Danny Puknaitis rushed for 97 yards last week, but much of that came in the first half before Wheaton North loaded up the box with a couple extra defenders. Naperville North quarterback Tyler Gehr will be charged with creating a consistent passing game while the Tigers will look to do the same with quarterbacks Thaddeus Armstrong and sophomore Ryan Graham as coach Ron Muhitch continues to rely on both signal callers.
Next week: Naperville Central at WW South; West Chicago at Naperville North.
Downers Grove South (3-0, 1-0) at Leyden (0-3, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: After pulling their starters before the end of the first half last week, the Mustangs are well rested. That includes running back Josh Williams, who rushed for 165 yards and 6 scores. Defensive back Danny Leach, injured last week, may sit again.
Fenton (3-0) at Springfield Southeast (0-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Bison hit the road to continue a nonconference swing. After allowing 29 points in the opener, Fenton’s allowed 7 points in each of the last two weeks. The Bison get strength up front with Freddy Joyner, Ryan Rogers and Josh Carasquillo.
Glenbard North (3-0, 1-0) at Glenbard East (1-2, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Panthers control games with the run, while the defense takes care of business up front with tackles Dan Eldridge and Forest Dukes. The Rams are down four defensive starters due to injury. The passing game must rebound from an 0-of-10 outing.
Glenbard South (1-2) at Crete-Monee (3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Raiders’ rugged schedule continues against a team ranked fourth in Class 6A by the Associated Press. The season-ending injury loss of linebacker Nick Boesso is tough but look for players like linebacker Zach Bava to step up on defense.
Lake Park (1-2, 0-1) at Waubonsie Valley (2-1, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Despite Bogdan Gulyk’s 10 tackles Lake Park allowed South Elgin 459 yards of offense. The Lancers must rein in Waubonsie’s electric quarterback Dylan Warden, who drove to 3 fourth-quarter touchdowns after Mitch Stefani’s broken collarbone.
Lisle (0-3, 0-1) at Wilmington (2-1, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: After a rare loss to Westmont, Lisle meets the heavy of the Interstate Eight Small Division. Line technique and eliminating mistakes will be paramount while the Lions try to build on last week’s sound ground game of Andy Populorum and Robbie Dean.
Lyons Twp. (1-2, 0-1) at Downers Grove North (1-2, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Trojans didn’t plan on 36 passes, but that’s what quarterback Riley McGinnis did last week. Downers North must run the ball better than its 1.3 yards per carry. Two of the team’s five sophomores are at linebacker led by Vonte Diggs.
Marist (2-1, 2-0) at Benet (0-3, 0-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Another tough East Suburban Catholic Conference matchup for Benet, which shifted dual-threat talent Nick Mankowski back to quarterback. Marist’s quick-strike spread offense will test the Redwings’ nine non-senior starters on defense.
Naperville Central (2-1, 1-0) at West Aurora (2-1, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: A 270-yard rushing game by the Redhawks’ Matt Randolph shows the obvious point of emphasis. Naperville Central will be plowing behind linemen Sean Goldner, Mike Keller and Dan Teich. Defensive end Cody Campbell notched 2 sacks last week.
Neuqua Valley (2-1, 0-0) at East Aurora (0-3, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: The poor Tomcats must face a Neuqua team that last week gained 391 yards of offense to St. Charles North’s 82. Wildcats back Joey Rhattigan exploded for 204 yards, 4 TDs, but this may be a good time for a passing game tuneup. Early, at least.
Oak Park (2-1, 1-0) at York (2-1, 0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: York attempted only 13 passes last week against Willowbrook but five were caught by junior receiver Austin Wagner for 100 yards and a touchdown. With players like linebacker Kevin Szeluga stepping up, the Dukes’ defense is improving each week.
Walther Luth. (1-2, 0-1) vs. Immaculate Conception (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Serpico Field, Melrose Park
The quick hit: Coming off a 41-0 shellacking of Aurora Central, the host Knights, now No. 10 in Class 4A, face a Walther team that lost 34-7 to Guerin. IC’s goal is defending the big play while Dan Vatch, Tim Hipskind, Cody Baker and soph WR Sam Rose make their own.
Wheaton Academy (0-3, 0-1) vs. St. Francis (2-1, 0-1)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday, College of DuPage
The quick hit: Wheaton Academy’s goal in this SCC Blue match is to capitalize 100 percent of the time it reaches the red zone — after failing twice against both Byron and St. Edward. The Spartans? Solidify special teams and start strong after sluggish first halves.
Wheaton North (2-1, 1-0) at West Chicago (0-3, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Falcons running back Patrick Sharp, the team’s offensive player of the week who rushed for 142 yards, has become a load for defenses to bring down. The challenge for the defense? West Chicago’s the only option offense on the Falcons’ schedule.
Willowbrook (0-3, 0-0) at Morton (1-2, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: It’s easy to pinpoint where last week’s Willowbrook loss got out of hand. Three fumbles quickly turned into 3 touchdowns for York. The good news, though, is that the Warriors are playing better up front with tackles Nick Interante and Ian Welsh.