Week 5: Scouting the Metro Suburban
St. Edward (3-1, 0-0) at IC Catholic Prep (3-1, 0-0)
Metro Suburban Blue
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday at Jack Lewis Stadium
Last year: IC Catholic Prep 49, St. Edward 3
Last week: IC Catholic Prep 67, Chicago Christian 17; St. Edward 56, Guerin 0
Outlook: St. Edward entered this matchup 4-0 last season but injuries had decimated the Green Wave starting lineup by that point. The result was ugly. The eventual Class 3A state champs rolled 49-3. Injuries have again played a part in both teams' seasons. The Green Wave lost safety/receiver Saveon Smith two weeks ago but are otherwise healthy compared to this time last year. Meanwhile, IC Catholic Prep is without all-state quarterback/safety Luke Ricobene, who was lost for the season to a Week 2 knee injury in a loss to St. Laurence, which snapped the Knights' 15-game winning streak. Backup Khalil Saunders has completed 22 of 30 attempts for 376 yards and 4 touchdowns and has been intercepted 3 times. Even without Ricobene, IC remains a formidable opponent with players like senior running back Lazerick Eatman (44 carries, 410 yards, 5 TD) and junior receivers Khali Sanders (13 rec., 207 yards, 2 TD) and Jacob Lytton (11-185-1). "That's the game we all want to win," St. Edward leading tackler Ben Harrington said after last week's win over Guerin. "We went there two years ago (a 41-6 loss) and played over at St. Ed's last year and it wasn't the way we wanted to play. I think it'll be a lot different." The Knights have outscored their opponents 187-50. The Green Wave have outscored their opponents 187-62. "We're right where we want to be," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "We're playing good ball and we've got enough in offensively. We're excited. It's all been waiting for conference play. We hope we can hang tough with these guys."
Next week: IC Catholic Prep at Riverside-Brookfield (4-0); Fenton (2-2) at St. Edward
Fenton (2-2, 0-0) at Glenbard South (2-2, 0-0)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Completely different animal than the Walther team Fenton's tough Dylan Butts hit for 5 touchdown runs. Glenbard South linebackers Noah Gibson and Mark Wilson will aim to force Butts inside, where nose tackle Anthony Kramer anchors the line.
Wheaton Academy (3-1, 0-0) at Riverside-Brookfield (4-0, 0-0)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Here comes the MSC Blue reality check for the Warriors, facing a heavy R-B squad that's allowed 44 points. Clean football is in order, as well as Sebastian Pares, Graham Wall, Derek Johanik, Sean Blum and Kole Bowling handling the Bulldogs' blitz.
Guerin (0-4, 0-0) at Aurora Central Catholic (1-3, 0-0) Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: The Chargers hope to get back on track in the Metro Suburban Red opener for both teams. ACC lost the turnover battle 2-0 in last week's 48-16 loss to undefeated Riverside-Brookfield.