Some Week 1 highlights, and looking ahead to Week 2

Another opening weekend of the high school football season has come and gone.

While some teams celebrated season-opening victories, others attempted to pick up the pieces following tough-luck defeats.

As teams prepare for the second week of the 2015 gridiron campaign, one thing is certain - head coaches throughout the area spent several hours showing game films to their players.

Undoubtedly, some films were easier to watch than others were.

Here are some observations from Week 1 - with a peek ahead to Week 2:

Quick quotes

"They say you learn more from your losses than your wins. Well, we learned a lot tonight," said Aurora Central Catholic coach John Belskis after his team's 41-0 loss to St. Edward.

"I don't think we had too many penalties (3 for 35 yards) and no turnovers so I thought we really played clean. That's something that we really emphasized this season," said Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly, whose team kicked off the season with a 45-22 victory over Brooks last weekend.

"It's a long summer and to go out there and be up 30-3 at the half - that's a good thing - and to finish 30-15, I'll take it. Starting 1-0 is a good feeling," said St. Charles North coach Rob Pomazak following the North Stars' nonconference triumph over Schaumburg.

"It's momentum. Even last year, it was a game of momentum. This year, the momentum was on our side finally," said Batavia senior quarterback Kyle Niemiec after throwing for 266 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 36-28 road win against Oswego.

Good news, bad news

St. Charles North displayed some quick-score ability as it tallied 3 touchdowns during a 7-minute span in the second quarter on the way to building a 30-3 halftime lead over Schaumburg last Friday.

Three of junior tailback Eric Lins' first 6 carries resulted in touchdown runs covering 11, 14 and 34 yards, respectively. Lins, who only got the ball 3 more times in the second half, finished with 87 yards on 12 carries.

"It was a great experience," said Lins. "I like that we got out to a 1-0 start. We learned a lot from this game."

After racking up 244 yards of total offense in the first half, the North Stars were outgained 230-70 and outscored 12-0 over the final 2 quarters.

"That first half is going to be good to pat ourselves on the back but the second half is going to be what we watch (films) and find out where we need to improve," said Pomazak. "That's going to make us better so I'm OK with it.

"When you're up 30-3 at the half - that's a good spot to be," added the coach. "Maybe they did take their foot off the gas a little bit but we'll let them know about it, that's for sure."

In his first varsity start at quarterback, junior Zach Mettetal completed 17 of 22 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown while adding 46 rushing yards. He did a nice job spreading the wealth, connecting with 6 different receivers - Kyle Novotney (5 catches, 90 yards), Griffin Hammer (4 catches, 26 yards), Lins (3 catches, 18 yards), Brendan Joyce (2 catches, 5 yards), twin brother Tyler Mettetal (2 catches, 18 yards), and Jake Spaniol (1 catch, 12 yards).

First and 9?

Perhaps the first week of the season also offered officials an opportunity to shake out the cobwebs.

Here is the scenario: Schaumburg has the ball with a 1st-and-10 at the North Stars' 48-yard line. On first down, quarterback Justin Perez throws an incompletion. On second down, Perez hits Emanuel Little for a 9-yard gain.

Officials signal to move the chains for a first down.

Huh?

Clearly, the Saxons should have faced a 3rd-and-1 at the 39. If anything, it was a long yard.

Whatever the case, it presented a light moment for myself and scoreboard operator Mike Zernone in the press box.

QB High

Aurora Christian has established a well-earned reputation for its football prowess.

The Eagles have made 13 consecutive postseason appearances, highlighted by their back-to-back Class 3A state titles in 2011 and 2012 and a second-place showing in 2008.

Throughout the years, Aurora Christian has also built a reputation for having talented, strong-armed quarterbacks.

Based on last Friday's 49-0 rout of Chicago-Senn, it appears that sophomore Drew Clippert might follow the lead established by former standout quarterbacks Austin Bray, Ryan McQuade, Anthony Maddie, and Jordan Roberts at Aurora Christian.

Clippert threw for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns while adding a rushing TD in the Eagles' season-opening victory.

Hall of Fame matchup

Here's a Week 2 coaching matchup for you - Aurora Central Catholic's John Belskis vs. Lisle's Paul Parpet Sr.

The two Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame members (Belskis Class of 2010; Parpet Sr. Class of 2002) prepare for another head-to-head showdown Friday night in Aurora.

In his first season as ACC head coach, Belskis compiled a 201-62 record during a 24-year stint at Downers Grove South (1989-2012), where he guided the Mustangs to 22 playoff berths, capped by a Class 8A state championship in 2001.

In his second season at Lisle, Parpet Sr. spent 28 years as head coach at Addison Trail (1982-2009), where he led the Blazers to a pair of Class 6A state runner-up finishes (1983, 1997) and a 158-122 record.

Addison Trail and Downers Grove South are longtime West Suburban Conference Gold Division rivals.

You can reach Craig via email at csb4k@hotmail.com