DuPage County football previews

The best of the bunch

1. Wheaton Warrenville South at Wheaton North: The Tigers have won 18 of the last 19 meetings.

2. Montini at Marian Central: Earth-shaking Suburban Catholic Conference collision between Nos. 1-2 in Class 5A.

3. Hinsdale Central at York: Hinsdale Central can unseat the defending champs of the West Suburban Silver.

4. Ridgewood at Fenton: Bison are 8-1 in MSC play the last two years. The only loss was Week 4 at Ridgewood.

5. Neuqua Valley at Bartlett: On brink of elimination, Wildcats scraping to keep five-year playoff streak alive.

By a landslide

Through six games Driscoll has outscored its opponents 155-14 in the first half.

Mr. 200

Wheaton North junior running back Mike Trumpy's last five rushing totals: 203, 234, 197, 207 and 203 yards.

Keepaway game

When Downers Grove South fumbled last week, it was only the second turnover of the season for the Mustangs.

WW South (6-0, 4-0) at Wheaton North (4-2, 2-2)

DuPage Valley Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: WW South 31, Wheaton North 7.

Last week: WW South 35, West Aurora 6; Wheaton North 42, Glenbard East 0.

Outlook: The Tigers' winning streak stands at 20 heading into the 36th cross-town game. WW South quarterback Mike Piatkowski threw for 202 yards last week and increased his completion rate to 65 percent. Chris Schweighardt is a go-to receiver. Run defense will be key with linebackers Mark LaBelle and Sam Burke. The Tigers are allowing 2.8 yards per carry, but that'll be tough to do against Falcons back Mike Trumpy, who boasts 1,145 yards at 8 yards a carry. Expect to see sophomore quarterback Taylor Graham in the lineup after missing last week's game with a concussion.

Next week: WW South at Glenbard East; Wheaton North at Naperville North.

Naperville North (6-0, 4-0) at West Aurora (3-3, 1-3)

DuPage Valley Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Naperville North 47, West Aurora 12.

Last week: Naperville North 35, Naperville Central 13; WW South 35, West Aurora 6.

Outlook: After Naperville North's 4 sacks last week, expect more quarterback pressure from linemen Kyle Lackner, Vince Mazzone and Tim Weidenbacher. The Huskies allowed 300 passing yards, however, which is an area of focus tonight in their goal to eliminate big plays. Despite Nick Mlady and quarterback Jordan Tassio leading a 270-yard rushing attack, the Huskies worked more out of the spread than the double wing. That could change tonight depending on matchups. League coaches feel West Aurora, led by quarterback John Nunnally, might have its best team since entering the DVC.

Next week: Wheaton North at Naperville North; West Chicago at West Aurora.

Glenbard North (3-3, 2-2) at Glenbard East (1-5, 0-4)

DuPage Valley Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Glenbard North 41, Glenbard East 0.

Last week: Glenbard North 41, West Chicago 7; Wheaton North 42, Glenbard East 0.

Outlook: Glenbard North hopes to build upon its best offensive effort of the year, an effort paced by Tyler Doll's 168 rushing yards. The Panthers were also great defensively as linemen Greg Mahan and Frank Cusumano helped notch 5 sacks. Justin Wahrman grabbed his fourth interception. Controlling the line of scrimmage is a top goal tonight. Glenbard East wants to play more physically as it strives for consistency in a running game that managed 80 yards last week. The Rams will also try to shore up their run defense. Safety Mike Kuderna grabbed his third interception last week.

Next week: Naperville Central at Glenbard North; WW South at Glenbard East.

West Chicago (2-4, 1-3) at Naperville Central (3-3, 2-2)

DuPage Valley Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Naperville Central 34, West Chicago 7.

Last week: Glenbard North 41, West Chicago 7; Naperville North 35, Naperville Central 13.

Outlook: With 30 running plays and 12 pass plays, the Wildcats stayed focused on the ground game last week -- a plan they'll stick with tonight. Quarterback Chris Wille could mix things up, though. Jay Lenahan and James Eckler combined for 6 catches and 120 yards against Glenbard North. Redhawks defensive lineman Josh Jelesky made a stellar debut while notching 12 solo tackles. Against an aggressive Wildcats defense, Naperville Central must shore up its pass protection for quarterback Harrison Daniels, who threw for 310 yards despite being sacked four times.

Next week: West Chicago at West Aurora; Naperville Central at Glenbard North.

St. Patrick (2-4, 1-3) at Benet (1-5, 1-3)

East Suburban Catholic Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today, Benedictine University.

Last year: Benet 35, St. Patrick 6.

Last week: Carmel 35, St. Patrick 14; Marist 23, Benet 20.

Outlook: A flat start let Marist post a 23-0 halftime lead last week, relegating Benet to role of spoiler. The first prospective victim, St. Patrick (a 10-0 loser to Marist) runs myriad offensive schemes and formations to confuse defenses. Trying to rally from a 28-7 halftime deficit to Carmel, quarterback Mike Fabrizio was 17 of 30 for 160 yards with an Eddie Ortiz touchdown catch. Benet running backs Dan McGue, Mike Wuest and Dan Cannon might be heartened that despite linebacker David Giese's 11 tackles, Carmel ran for 349 yards. The Redwings also attack with improving quarterback Jimmy Riley and receiver Emmett Carrier, having a solid season.

Next week: St. Patrick at Nazareth; Benet at Marian Catholic.

Lisle (1-5, 1-2) at Peotone (4-2, 3-0)

Interstate Eight Large

Game time: 7 p.m., today.

Last year: Lisle 21, Peotone 18.

Last week: Lisle 22, Reed-Custer 13; Peotone 10, Sandwich 7.

Outlook: Lisle coach Dan Sanko said last week's performance was "night and day" from the Lions' five prior losses. No big plays allowed, quarterback John Surber's 7 straight completions, tailback Ricardo Lee's third straight 100-yard game, turnover-making defense led by Tony Kisla, Ryan Tunk and Mike Nigro, Joe McCarthy's second interception in two games. Defense, guts, ball control are the keys against the IEC Large-leader Peotone, a winner of four straight. Running back Luke Jackson will bounce his deep handoffs outside, testing Lisle's defensive discipline. Sophomore quarterback Brian Hannig adds good balance to the Blue Knight offense by passing to Jimmy Brashares.

Next week: Manteno at Lisle; Herscher at Peotone.

Ridgewood (3-3, 2-1) at Fenton (3-3, 2-1)

Metro Suburban Conference

Game time: 7 p.m., today.

Earlier this season: Ridgewood 20, Fenton 17.

Last week: Ridgewood 27, Elmwood Park 0; Fenton 23, Riverside-Brookfield 7.

Outlook: For the first time in the brief history of the MSC, Fenton has a shot at payback against a conference opponent. Ridgewood edged the Bison three weeks ago, but a win tonight would put Fenton a step closer to its second straight title. To win, though, the Bison must contain nose guard Ben George, who had 8 tackles, including 5 for loss in the first meeting. Fenton's pass defense last week led to 5 interceptions. Darek Potuszynski and Ricky Prignano each snared 2 picks. Mick Niemirski had 2 sacks, one in the end zone for a safety. Prignano accounted for 180 total yards at quarterback.

Next week: Riverside-Brookfield at Ridgewood; Fenton at Elmwood Park.

Chicago Christian (5-1, 2-1) at Wheaton Academy (2-4, 1-3)

Private School League

Game time: 1 p.m., Saturday, Wheaton College.

Last year: Chicago Christian 35, Wheaton Academy 0 (junior varsity).

Last week: Chicago Christian 57, Luther North 6; Rockford Christian Life 55, Wheaton Academy 28.

Outlook: Losing to Aurora Christian put Chicago Christian's string of five straight PSL titles in jeopardy. Running quarterback Alex Haan won't give in; besides Aurora Christian, Chicago Christian has outscored foes 220-18. Wheaton Academy safety Jake Jones and linebackers Hayden Goeckel and Anthony Ritchie will birddog Haan. If stopping the run is goal No. 1, establishing back Chris Derrick is 1A. Quarterback Brian Pell had his best game last week -- 17 of 29, 243 yards, 2 TDs -- but the Warriors must run to control pace.

Next week: Christian Life at Chicago Christian; Wheaton Academy at Lake Forest Academy.

Montini (6-0, 4-0) at Marian Central (6-0, 4-0)

Suburban Catholic Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Marian 20, Montini 19; Marian 24, Montini 0 (playoffs).

Last week: Montini 34, Immaculate Conception 0; Marian 52, Aurora Central 7.

Outlook: Despite eight two-way starters and quarterback Jon Budmayr's (doubtful) hamstring pull, the reigning Class 5A runner-up Hurricanes excel behind backup quarterback Andrew Stochl, skilled guys Jordan Peart and T.J. Pappas and a Sean Cwyner-led line that rivals Montini's. Marian coach Ed Brucker suggested the key is tackling, particularly perimeter threat Johnny Borsellino out of the Montini backfield. Broncos coach Chris Andriano said quarterback Tom DiCristina will "throw the heck out of the ball" trying to wear out Marian's defense sideline-to-sideline. Lots of offense here -- but defense will decide it.

Next week: St. Edward at Montini; Driscoll at Marian.

Driscoll (6-0, 4-0) at Aurora Central (1-5, 1-3)

Suburban Catholic Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Driscoll 42, Aurora Central 6.

Last week: Driscoll 42, St. Edward 16; Marian Central 52, Aurora Central 7.

Outlook: Driscoll's emphasis is fine-tuning its technique, tackling, special teams coverage for the stretch run, while keeping an eye on ACC's Adams brothers. Quarterback Mike Adams has thrown for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns; receiver Mark has 32 receptions for 446 yards, 8 touchdowns. ACC's receivers are tall and strong, putting the pressure on the perimeter and Driscoll defensive backs Joey Calabrese, Ricky DiVito and Nick Nitti. On the other hand no one has been able to stop the Highlanders offense. Their sound, physical line provides space for quarterback David Schwabe, tailback Tim Franken and a pack of receivers.

Next week: Driscoll at Marian; Aurora Central at Marmion.

Marmion (3-3, 1-3) at IC (2-4, 1-3)

Suburban Catholic Conference

Game time: 1 p.m., Saturday.

Last year: Marmion 38, Immaculate Conception 19.

Last week: Marmion 7, St. Francis 5; Montini 34, Immaculate Conception 0.

Outlook: IC coach Bill Lech looks forward to seeing how his Knights do with their backs to the wall. Marmion forced St. Francis to the brink of playoff elimination on running back Bobby Winkel's 20-yard touchdown run with three and a half minutes left. Junior Sean Fichtel's 2 interceptions helped seal St. Francis' plight. IC played Montini well, but allowing five plays worth 190 yards was too much to overcome. Red-zone scoring has got to improve, and defensive backs Brendan Ryan, Paul Hornstra and Jack Dempsey must be ready for whatever scheme Marmion quarterback Ricky Bird (or sub Matt Milroy if the banged-up Bird can't go) will throw at them.

Next week: Aurora Central at Marmion; IC at St. Francis.

St. Francis (2-4, 1-3) at St. Edward (0-6, 0-4)

Suburban Catholic Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: St. Francis 41, St. Edward 8.

Last week: Marmion 7, St. Francis 5; Driscoll 42, St. Edward 16.

Outlook: St. Francis linebacker Ryan Ferguson, defensive lineman Jason Lombardi, cornerback Brett Robinson and the rest of the Spartans held Marmion to 172 total yards last week, but Marmion never broke and got 3 turnovers. As such Spartans coach Greg Purnell is looking for a better push up front against St. Edward with more sustained blocks to get running backs Stan Bobowski and Mark Kachmer rolling. St. Ed's Moises Quiroga returned a kick 85 yards for a score; backs Quiroga and quarterback Ryan Gilbert run a misdirection offense that's more effective than the Green Wave's record -- and 20 straight SCC losses -- indicates.

Next week: Immaculate Conception at St. Francis; St. Edward at Montini.

Neuqua Valley (2-4, 2-2) at Bartlett (4-2, 3-1)

Upstate Eight Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today, Streamwood High School.

Last year: Neuqua 42, Bartlett 17.

Last week: St. Charles East 17, Neuqua 14; Bartlett 38, Elgin 35.

Outlook: Neuqua Valley's five-year skein of playoff appearances is on the line. For a chance at a sixth, the Wildcats must play tough particularly on the line against a Bartlett team that hasn't scored less than 28 points this season -- more than Neuqua has in all but its 56-point romp vs. Larkin. Though Andrew Reuter's 40-yard field goal with 4.8 seconds left beat Elgin, Bartlett's offensive balance -- quarterback Josh Hasenberg threw for 192 yards, back Vinnie Libreri ran for 192 -- is something Neuqua would like to approach. As always, tailback Anton Wilkins excelled last week with 166 yards rushing and a Wildcats program-tying 97-yard kickoff return.

Next week: Streamwood at Neuqua Valley; Bartlett at Thornton.

Streamwood (1-5, 1-3) at Lake Park (1-5, 0-4)

Upstate Eight Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Did not play.

Last week: Larkin 40, Streamwood 6; Waubonsie Valley 24, Lake Park 0.

Outlook: The UEC's third-lowest (Streamwood) or its lowest-scoring team (Lake Park) will earn win No. 2. Streamwood went 3-and-out in 7 of its first 10 possessions last week, then Dan Poierier scored on an 11-yard run. Lake Park defensive end Andy Kasper, an O-line convert, will pressure Sabres quarterback Dan Roman. Lake Park, which returns quarterback Larry Nawrot from a Week 5 concussion, suffered its fourth straight shutout despite Jordan Davis and Bob Hauschildt blocking for fullback Kevin Thomas. Continuing that improved offensive execution -- and another big game by linebacker Rocky Sansone -- should finally net the Lancers points.

Next week: Streamwood at Neuqua Valley; Lake Park at East Aurora.

Downers South (6-0, 3-0) at Addison Trail (1-5, 1-2)

West Suburban Gold

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Addison Trail 6, Downers South 0.

Last week: Downers South 33, Hinsdale South 0; Willowbrook 42, Addison Trail 20.

Outlook: The Mustangs and defensive leader Jared Culver notched their second straight shutout last week while allowing only 80 yards of offense. With sophomore quarterback Chandler Whitmer improving each week and running back Scottie Williams getting healthier, the team in general is surging through the second half of the season. Addison Trail has found a solid offensive combination with running back Mike D'Ambrose, who has three straight 100-yard performances, along with quarterback Zach Maxwell and receiver-defensive back Vince Beachem. Safety Mike DeStefano averages 11 tackles per game.

Next week: Morton at Downers South; Leyden at Addison Trail.

Willowbrook (4-2, 2-2) at Hinsdale South (2-4, 1-2)

West Suburban Gold

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Hinsdale South 44, Willowbrook 22.

Last week: Willowbrook 42, Addison Trail 20; Downers South 33, Hinsdale South 0.

Outlook: Willowbrook aims to move closer to securing a playoff spot; the Hornets are fighting to avoid playoff elimination. The Warriors rushed for 200 yards last week, balancing the carries behind a line led by right guard Eric Tyler. Willowbrook will maintain its formula of pounding the run and mixing in the pass to 6-foot-4 receiver Milton Colbert, who's still recovering from an ankle injury. Hinsdale South struggled without a first-half first down last week, but the Hornets remain committed to the run with backs Dan Hopp, Rushawn Galloway and Jonathan Sterling. Watch for Willowbrook linebacker Ryan Mazgay defending the option.

Next week: York at Willowbrook; Hinsdale South at Proviso East.

Glenbard West (3-3, 1-2) at Downers North (1-5, 0-3)

West Suburban Silver

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Downers North 41, Glenbard West 14.

Last week: York 27, Glenbard West 20; Hinsdale Central 21, Downers North 6.

Outlook: Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet was bummed the Hilltoppers didn't "turn the corner," but the York game hinged on just a couple plays. Linemen Chris Watt and Brad Krumwiede, backs Brandon Venson and Robert Cook all were hurt; bet on them returning to shore up the ground game. It'll be tough. Downers North end Eric Speechley and linebackers Dan Sheppard and Art Gutzke (who scored the Trojans' sole touchdown) helped hold Hinsdale Central to 2.8 yards a carry. If the Trojans option is slowed, the edge could be in Hilltoppers receivers Roger Pope and Jesse Condie.

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

Hinsdale Central (5-1, 3-0) at York (4-2, 3-1)

West Suburban Silver

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: York 35, Hinsdale Central 6.

Last week: Hinsdale Central 21, Downers Grove North 6; York 27, Glenbard West 20.

Outlook: "The one we've been waiting for," Hinsdale Central coach Mike DiMatteo said of the last head-to-head game between WSS favorites. It's power vs. speed. Defending league champ York's large offensive line and 480 pounds of fullbacks named John Hanisch and Jimmy Harvey aim to discourage Hinsdale Central's 3-5 defense from reaching back Mike McNulty. Hinsdale Central counters with back Billy Auriemma, quarterback John Whitelaw, receiver Troy Laing, who will make York defend the entire field. Hinsdale Central has outscored teams 106-13 in the second and third quarters.

Next week: Proviso West at Hinsdale Central; York at Willowbrook.

Yorkville (2-4, 0-4) at Glenbard South (4-2, 2-2)

Western Sun Conference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Glenbard South 40, Yorkville 14.

Last week: Batavia 47, Yorkville 3; Glenbard South 47, Kaneland 28.

Outlook: After a 2-0 start the Foxes have dropped four straight in the WSC. The last two weeks they've allowed nearly 1,000 yards of offense, much of it on the ground. Their own ground game took a hit against Batavia when running back David Swope, who rushed for 100 yards in less than three quarters, left with a knee injury. The timing for this game couldn't be better for the offensively resurgent Raiders, who piled up 450 yards last week including 210 rushing yards and a program-record 6 TDs by Mike Oratowski. If the Foxes want to throw out of the spread, the Raiders will be ready. They picked off 4 passes last week, including a pair by Kyle Slott.

Next week: Sycamore at Yorkville; Glenbard South at Rochelle.

Bloom (3-3) at

Waubonsie Valley (4-2)

Nonconference

Game time: 7:30 p.m., today.

Last year: Did not play.

Last week: T.F. South 20, Bloom 6; Waubonsie Valley 24, Lake Park 0.

Outlook: Fixing to shake an 0-2 Kerner Stadium mark tonight at homecoming, Waubonsie is the first local team to try the new UEC-SICA nonconference deal. The SICA East's Bloom has outscored its foes 156-84, 110-8 in its wins. Warriors coach Paul Murphy has seen its shotgun-spread twice, highlighting quarterback Ray Besst, tailback Corey Harris, receiver Myron Hicks. Bloom will find a Warriors squad confident after a three-game win streak: linebackers Spencer Merritt, Chris Galovic and Kevin Garbis flying, a pounding defensive line, quarterback Tyler Castro in command. Now, to block that backside pursuit after Lake Park held tailback Kenny Harrington to a season-low 46 yards rushing.

Next week: Thornwood at Bloom; South Elgin at Waubonsie Valley.