Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games
By David Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
kschmit@dailyherald.com
Bolingbrook (8-4) at Glenbard West (12-1)
Nonconference
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: What a tremendous opener between perennial powers. While Glenbard West was knocked out of last year's Class 8A semifinals by eventual state champion Stevenson, Bolingbrook lost in the 8A quarterfinals to runner-up Homewood-Flossmoor. Both teams hope to use Saturday's showdown as the starting point for deeper playoff runs this postseason. The Raiders return only a few starters, but one of them just happens to be among the nation's top linebackers. Six-foot-two, 225-pound Tuf Borland, committed to Ohio State, is a terror in the heart of Bolingbrook's defense. It won't be easy slowing Glenbard West and Vanderbilt-bound running back Sam Brodner, who last season rushed for 1,950 yards and 27 touchdowns. As much as the Hilltoppers plan to pound Brodner, though, first-year starting quarterback Brian Cochrane has the ability to mix in some passing. Defensively, keep an eye on Glenbard West linebackers Ross Andreasik and Nico Gagliano.
Next week: Romeoville at Bolingbrook; Hinsdale South at Glenbard West.
Maine South (10-1) at Montini (10-4) Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Maine South 36, Montini 35.
Outlook: Already hesitant about entering the Chicago Catholic League in 2014, Montini fans were further taken aback when Maine South overcame a 35-15 deficit with 5:59 to play. What Broncos coach Chris Andriano called a "heartbreaking" loss ended with a blocked punt for touchdown and winning conversion kick by Sean McNulty, who is back. Montini, of course, regrouped to reach its sixth straight Class 5A championship game. Class 8A program Maine South returns senior quarterback Brian Collis, who passed for 292 yards and both threw and ran for touchdowns during the Hawks' game-winning rally. Collis lines up behind 6-foot-7, 245-pound tackle Liam O'Sullivan, who Rivals.com reports is Cincinnati-bound. Montini senior Justin Blake debuts as starting quarterback, and though the Broncos remain a spread set - which they patterned from Maine South - the speed of Blake and backs Prince Walker and Will Smith provides extra giddyap.
Next week: Loyola at Maine South; Montini at East St. Louis.
Naperville Central (9-3) at Glenbard North (4-5)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Naperville Central 28, Glenbard North 14.
Outlook: The defending DVC co-champion Redhawks begin their defense with a tough road opener. The Redhawks should be explosive with returning quarterback Conor Joyce, who last season threw for 1,285 yards, and Iowa-bound receiver Emmanuel Rugamba. They'll need to establish a run game behind three returning linemen. Given Glenbard North's returning skill, the Redhawks' front seven that graduated linebacker Bobby McMillen and lineman Joe Schweikart needs to quickly reload. Skill is definite at Glenbard North. Senior running back Devion Hodges ran for 1,164 yards last season and junior Vittorio Tricase is one of the DVC's fastest backs, though limited to 99 yards rushing in 2014 after a broken collarbone in Week 2. Plus the Panthers return quarterback Shane Conway. Athletic skill also returns on defense, where Joyce will confront a unit that includes linebacker Dom DeRosa plus defensive backs Jace James and Justin Pitts, who combined for 7 interceptions in 2014.
Next week: Neuqua Valley at Naperville Central; Glenbard North at Waubonsie Valley.
Neuqua Valley (6-4) at Metea Valley (5-5)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Neuqua Valley 28, Metea Valley 14.
Outlook: Beginning DuPage Valley Conference play against a familiar foe is one thing, but facing a district rival in the season opener is guaranteed to get the juices flowing. Neuqua Valley has won all five meetings against this District 204 rival, though after the Wildcats cruised to a combined 218-66 margin through four games Metea narrowed the gap. Neuqua opens with strength in the passing game. Western Michigan-bound tight end Brett Borske and junior receivers Owen Piche and Isaiah Robertson - who earlier this week landed another offer, from Wisconsin - combined for 181 yards receiving last year against the Mustangs. Like Neuqua quarterback Jack Stankhoven, Metea Valley quarterback Conner Lovely is a senior heading the varsity for the first time. Given this rivalry's history it's a positive Mustangs coach Ben Kleinhans believes defense is a strength. Defensive backs Amiri Finner and Reggie Hill and linebackers Johnathan Mathison and Blake Nicolls help anchor that unit.
Next week: Neuqua Valley at Naperville Central; Naperville North at Metea Valley.
Wheaton North (4-5) at Wheaton Warrenville South (7-5)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Wheaton North 30, WW South 9.
Outlook: Who could ask for a better DVC opener than the Wheaton cross-town game? The matchup to keep an eye on is the Falcons' potent passing game with quarterback Luke Anthony, who last season threw for 1,974 yards and 16 touchdowns, facing off against WW South's defensive line featuring Solomon Jackson and Jack Bucholz, who combined for 13 sacks. Wheaton North has a talented corps of receivers with Adam Terrini, Steele Graham and Marcus Gustaveson. It'll be a challenge for an inexperienced Tigers secondary to match up, but Tim Dalton's return will help. WW South's offense, under the direction of quarterback Mike Stebbins, boasts one of the DVC's top running backs in J.J. Johnson, who rushed for 723 yards and 8 touchdowns. Wheaton North looks much improved defensively with the return of several starters including linebackers Erik Mueller and Matt Giles, defensive backs Nico Gubenko and Danny Walker, and lineman Dan Webber.
Next week: Wheaton North at Joliet Catholic; WW South at Lake Park.
Addison Trail (9-2) at Glenbard South (8-3)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Addison Trail returns Mike Hundley to its ground game, but the Blazers would love to see quarterback Ryan Zygowicz assert himself at quarterback. Can their defense slow Raiders quarterback Kyle Carli and running back Sean Cooke?
Benet (6-4) at St. Laurence (5-6)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Given the onslaught of tough games awaiting in the East Suburban Catholic, Benet needs to get off to good start. Junior quarterback Jack Sznajder will hit the ground running in his second varsity season, and a tall, athletic receiving corps will help.
Downers Grove North (3-6) at Lockport (3-6)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Downers North aims to become a playoff team this season, and the path to qualifying begins with establishing a dominant run game. The Trojans' entire offensive line from last season, anchored by James Arentsen, returns to plow the holes.
Hinsdale South (9-3) at Romeoville (2-7)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Hornets' defense will set the tone with Michigan State-bound lineman Josh King and defensive back Robert Hall. Sean McCormack takes over at quarterback, while running back Marcus Curry returns from a 700-yard season.
Homewood-Flossmoor (11-3) at Downers Grove South (6-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Downers South can make quite a statement if it can beat the No. 1 team in Class 8A. The Mustangs look completely different at the skill positions, but Michigan-bound fourth-year lineman Erik Swenson remains a cornerstone for the program.
IC Catholic Prep (4-5) at Bishop McNamara (6-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Knights hope for a better showing than last season's shutout loss. More experience will help as 14 seniors return. The Knights also lean on juniors like explosive running back Jordan Rowell and sophomore quarterback Luke Ricobene.
Kelvyn Park (2-7) at St. Francis (10-3)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The host Spartans, already highly regarded in polls, seek continuity from their 2014 state semifinal appearance. New starting quarterback Peter Fassnacht heads the spread offense; back Will Purdom ran for 566 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2014.
Lake Park (5-4) at Waubonsie Valley (9-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Everyone knows the Lancers' defense will be stout up front with linemen Mike and Jacub Panasiuk, and they'll be focused on stopping the run as Waubonsie Valley pairs power back Max Ihry with speedsters Quaid Gill and Rodney Gee.
Leyden (2-7) at Fenton (4-5)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: It's an almost completely new lineup for the Bison, who break in Corey Hausen, a defensive back last year, at quarterback. Especially early in the season, the Bison will lean on the experience of returning running back-linebacker Eric Lonergan.
O'Fallon (4-5) at Hinsdale Central (8-3)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: There were some preseason questions as the Red Devils sorted out their new talent at most of the skill positions, but there's no doubt they'll be operating behind a stellar offensive line led by Michigan State-bound Matt Allen and Doug Kramer.
Oswego East (3-6) at West Chicago (3-6)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: A new nonconference opener for the host Wildcats. Limbering up in new starting roles are running back Devonte Pascal and senior quarterback Alex Turney, who has receivers Jacob Wiegele and Mikey Bibbs, a 6-foot-2 senior, to target downfield.
Peotone (3-6) at Lisle (1-8)Game time: 7:15 p.m. at Benedictine University.
The quick hit: This opener marked Lisle's only win last season. Running back-safety Mark McGrath and quarterback Alec Van Volkenburg both are all-IEC returners for a more experienced and deeper Lions team wanting to open the season strong again.
Sandburg (4-5) at Naperville North (2-7)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: We're about to find out how committed the Huskies are to returning to the double-wing offense with running back Mikey Caldarazzo and a bunch of juniors ready to step up. Defensively, they're led on the line by Tom Rizzi and Edi Dalazi.
Westmont (4-5) at Chicago Christian (4-5)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Westmont's ready to light up scoreboards with the return of quarterback Kyle Domin, who last season threw for 1,387 yards, and receiver Marquis Thomas. Sixteen starting positions are back for the Sentinels, which will especially help on defense.
Wheaton Academy (5-4) at Walther Christian (0-9)Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: Quarterback David Thrasher, who threw for 1,535 yards and 17 touchdowns, starts the offense on a great foot when combined with returning running back Chase Martin and three linemen. A new defensive line will be tested right off the bat.
Willowbrook (2-7) at Glenbard East (3-6)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Regardless of the Warriors' potentially potent offense, they know they need to shore up the defense this season. Quarterback Philip Abruzino threw for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns against Willowbrook last year, 142 yards to returner Zach Walsh.
York (4-5) at New Trier (10-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: After rushing for more than 2,000 yards last season, expect to see more commitment to the run by York, which returns running back Lucas Alexander. Experienced linebackers Robert Hanrahan, Quinn Gaughan and Sam Rasnic lead the defense.