Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games

By Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

kschmit@dailyherald.com

Lake Park (4-1, 1-0) at Wheaton Warrenville South (1-4, 0-1)

DuPage Valley Conference

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

Last week: Lake Park 35, Naperville North 21; Wheaton North 30, WW South 9.

Last year: WW South 28, Lake Park 0.

Outlook: Hard to believe, but WW South sits on the verge of elimination from playoff contention with four games still to play. The struggles haven't come as much on defense for the Tigers, who have allowed fewer than 200 yards a game. If there is an area of concern it's with pass defense, which is why you may see Western Michigan-bound receiver Keishawn Watson in the secondary at times. With Lake Park using two quarterbacks in Mike Perry and junior Jaron Fields, the Tigers need to be ready for anything - including the battering-ram running of Kenny Jones. Lake Park's physical play is especially felt with its defense. Linemen Mike and Jacub Panasiuk are immensely disruptive up front. The quality defensive play extends to the other levels with linebacker Jontrell Mitchell and defensive back Antonio Shenault. The Tigers are still working to get all their playmakers involved, but they've moved closer to improving their line play with Kyle McCarthy taking over at center.

Next week: Lake Park at Glenbard North; WW South at Naperville North.

Metea Valley (3-2, 2-1) at Waubonsie Valley (5-0, 3-0)

Upstate Eight Valley

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

Last week: Metea Valley 44, South Elgin 27; Waubonsie Valley 28, Glenbard East 27 OT.

Last year: Waubonsie Valley 55, Metea Valley 10.

Outlook: Off one of the best wins in its brief history Metea looks to better its 0-4 mark against this District 204 rival, Mustangs coach Ben Kleinhans' alma mater. Metea running back Bryson Oliver, coming off a 257-yard game, already has 900 yards rushing. Early Kyle Mooney touchdown passes to Kris King and Nick Dodson set South Elgin on its heels, and one of Waubonsie's goals is to make Metea one-dimensional. Mustangs safeties Amiri Finner, Tommy Ensminger and Reggie Hill look to limit big plays to help keep the Mustangs in position late. Waubonsie, looking to clinch a playoff slot - defensive tackle Nick Horn blocked an extra point last week to get the Warriors one win closer - averages 284 yards rushing in its option scheme. The Warriors have outscored foes 82-13 in the first half. Patiently adjusting to how teams defend them, the Warriors are led by Tony Durns' 691 yards rushing with 6 touchdowns and quarterback Zach Bennema with 435 yards, 9 touchdowns.

Next week: East Aurora at Metea Valley; West Aurora at Waubonsie Valley.

Naperville Central (4-1, 1-0) vs. Naperville North (2-3, 0-1)

DuPage Valley Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at North Central College.

Last week: Naperville Central 28, Glenbard North 14; Lake Park 35, Naperville North 21.

Last year: Naperville Central 39, Naperville North 17.

Outlook: No DuPage County defense comes up with more big plays than Naperville Central, proven last week with three interception returns for touchdowns. Iowa State recruit Bobby McMillen had one of them in addition to his usual double-digit tackles. Fellow linebacker Dan DelGrosso was expected to be fitted for a cast this week that'll allow him to play in this one. Naperville North's offense found a spark at quarterback last week with Evan Kujawski, who threw two of his three touchdown passes to fellow quarterback Chris Gajcak. Defensively, the Huskies also have struggled to stay healthy at linebacker. Tom Higgins, out since the Phillips game, is poised to return. So is safety Cam Hardy. As always, Naperville North will be tough up front with Chris Zhang and Tom Rizzi. Naperville Central's offense didn't get much work last week but came through when needed. While Kevin Clifford notched another 100-yard rushing game, receiver Michael Kolzow added 100 receiving yards.

Next week: Wheaton North at Naperville Central; WW South at Naperville North.

Nazareth (5-0, 3-0) at Benet (4-1, 2-1)

East Suburban Catholic Conference

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

Last week: Nazareth 56, Marian Catholic 17; Marist 21, Benet 7.

Last year: Nazareth 28, Benet 18.

Outlook: After last week's loss at Marist, this becomes a must-win for Benet in terms of its ESCC title hopes. A two-game deficit to the No. 2-ranked team in the Associated Press Class 6A poll would be near-impossible to overcome. Nazareth comes at opponents from every angle offensively, starting with the running back tandem of Neuqua Valley transfer Nolan Dean and junior Julian Love. It continues with the quarterback tandem of Carson Bartels and Jonah Beauduy. Regardless of last week's loss in which they allowed more than 400 yards, the Redwings' defense remains a strength. Benet's offense continues to get strong play from running back Brad Sznajder, who last week rushed for 130 yards. To be effective against the Roadrunners' stingy defense, though, sophomore quarterback Jack Sznajder also needs to keep the chains moving through the air. Dean contributes at linebacker with Decxavier Kelly-Martin while Love is another two-way player in the secondary.

Next week: Nazareth at Marian Central; Carmel at Benet.

Oak Park (5-0, 3-0) at Glenbard West (5-0, 3-0)

West Suburban Silver

Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Oak Park 49, York 8; Glenbard West 42, Hinsdale Central 7.

Last year: Glenbard West 20, Oak Park 14.

Outlook: Glenbard West's stranglehold on the Silver championship - 39 wins in its last 40 conference games - will be put to the stiffest test in years against a team considered to be among the favorites to win the Class 8A title. Glenbard West junior running back Sam Brodner, who last week notched his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season, is the perfect mix of speed and power. The Hilltoppers' vaunted ground game took a hit early in that win, however, when fullback Donahvon Vaughn went down with an injury. Isaiah Skinner and Sean Mackey stepped up in his place. Oak Park's offense presents an abundance of challenges for Glenbard West's defense. Northwestern-bound Lloyd Yates is one of the state's premier quarterbacks, while Antonio Cannon is one of the many running backs set to face Glenbard West's defense headed by leading tackler Nico Gagliano. Javon Muhammad, injured last week, and converted offensive lineman Jack Kane anchor the effort up front.

Next week: Lyons Twp. at Oak Park; Glenbard West at Proviso West.

Addison Trail (5-0, 3-0) at Morton (2-3, 2-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Blazers' final three Gold opponents are a combined 3-12, so they can't afford a letdown at this point. Defensively, they continue to be top notch. Offensively, look for Addison Trail to get its ground game back up to full speed with Malik Pierre-Louis.

Aurora Central (4-1, 0-1) at Fenton (4-1, 0-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Both teams suffered their first loss last week. The question is who will respond best? Fenton's young secondary featuring safeties Darrien Warren and Corey Hausen will be tested by quarterback Matt Rahn and big-play producer Brandon Babler.

Batavia (4-1, 3-0) at West Chicago (3-2, 2-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Defending Class 6A champion Batavia has won 22 straight Upstate Eight River games. It starts up front for the Bulldogs, and West Chicago defensive linemen Lawrence Caputo and Alex Maltese have to deal with Batavia's physicality and depth.

Downers Grove South (3-2) at Downers Grove North (1-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Playoff hopes for both depend on winning. Downers North brought up three sophomores last week and Zack Figura responded with 7 catches among the 35 passes by the Trojans. It's been a struggle, but the Mustangs aim for their third straight win.

Glenbard East (3-2, 1-2) at Bartlett (2-3, 1-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Millennium Field in Streamwood.

The quick hit: Glenbard East's 28-27 overtime loss to Waubonsie Valley wasn't good enough for these Rams. This is a good game of tailbacks - the Rams' Dominic Wilberton, the Hawks' Nolan Bernat. Glenbard East's passing game is an advantage, though.

Hinsdale Central (3-2, 2-1) at Lyons Twp. (3-2, 1-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Jimmy Thompson and the Red Devils' defense look to slow third-year quarterback Tom Fiedler and Miami of Ohio-bound running back Leonard Ross. Red Devils QB Matt Rafferty returned from injury and played well after shaking off the rust.

Leyden (0-5, 0-2) at Hinsdale South (4-1, 2-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Leyden has a lot to build on after breaking out to a 10-0 lead on Downers South last week. Quarterback Rob Regan and defensive lineman Josh King missed the end of last week's loss. The Hornets need both healthy for a push to the playoffs.

Lisle (1-4, 0-3) at Reed-Custer (0-5, 0-3)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Lisle coach Paul Parpet likens Reed-Custer's option offense and aggressive defense to Seneca, which limited Lisle to 32 offensive plays in the Lions' 14-7 loss. Jared Arellano, Jack Hennessy and Lisle's few other seniors try to keep playoff hope alive.

Neuqua Valley (3-2, 3-0) at West Aurora (1-4, 1-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: West Aurora earned its first Upstate Eight Valley Division win, over Bartlett. Two-time defending Valley champ Neuqua has won three straight games, though, and Wildcats cornerbacks Famus Hasty and Nathan Bailey may make West one-dimensional.

Proviso West (2-3, 0-2) at York (3-2, 0-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Despite a lopsided loss to Oak Park, York still rushed for more than 100 yards. The Dukes must get healthy. Five starters were out last week, three on defense. The good news is defensive lineman Kolton Stephens returned for limited action.

Riverside-Brookfield (3-2, 1-0) at IC Catholic Prep (2-3, 1-0)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: The Knights' playoff hopes are alive and well after a 16th straight win over Aurora Central. Sophomore running back Jordan Rowell got a big boost from the offensive line featuring Stephen Stam, Michael Perrone and tight end Liam Hipskind.

St. Francis (3-2) at St. Laurence (2-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Quinn Calcagno's near-state record 5.5 sacks paced a dominant 29-0 shutout of skilled Hales Franciscan. On offense, Will Purdom's 154 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns brings needed balance into this Chicago Catholic League crossover.

St. Joseph (2-3) at Montini (3-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: A week after scalding Leo - which beat St. Joe's 50-14 - Broncos reserves such as John Pecora, Brandon Beyer and Pat Laughlin can anticipate more reps. Montini place-kicker Mason Weissenhofer looks to add to last week's 8-for-8 PAT run.

Westmont (2-3, 1-2) at Seneca (4-1, 2-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Westmont has to like the Lisle-Seneca film considering the Sentinels' 62 points paced a 20-point win over Lisle, which nearly beat Seneca. Receiver Marquis Thomas should return from the ankle he twisted early last week against Wilmington.

Wheaton Academy (4-1, 0-1) at Glenbard South (3-2, 1-0)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Tough to highlight an individual defensive performance from Glenbard South's win over Fenton, but lineman Dave Kornblith and defensive back Jimmy Ebbole were standouts. Scott McLean continues to step up in every phase for Wheaton Academy.

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

The quick hit: Wheaton North's defense, including sophomores Erik Mueller and Danny Walker, will focus on the Panthers' Devion Hodges, who last week rushed for 209 yards. Glenbard North's Brett Gasiorowski and Shane Conway shared quarterback duties.

Willowbrook (0-5, 0-2) at Proviso East (1-4, 0-2)Game time: 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Eliminated from playoff contention, Willowbrook must ease the sting of a last-second loss to Morton. Without quarterback Billy Degnan and running back David Harris, the Warriors relied on junior Josan Murphy's 242-yard rushing effort.