Scouting: DuPage Co. Week 1
Oswego at Benet
Game time: 7:30 p.m., Benedictine University.
The quick hit: Benet seeks revenge against an Oswego team that in last year's nonconference opener won 40-0 and held the Redwings to 72 yards of offense. Benet quarterback Jimmy Riley returns to headline a new spread offense that seeks to take advantage of his rifle arm and a tall group of receivers. Oswego has been picked to trail only Morris in the Southwest Prairie Conference.
Lisle at Reed-Custer
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: In 2007 Lisle running back Ricardo Lee ran for 164 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 against Reed-Custer in a 22-13 Lions win. In this Interstate Eight Conference crossover contest, returning quarterback Jon Surber aims to get his junior season off on the right foot.
Wheaton Academy at Momence
Game time: 5 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Momence may only have finished 4-5 last season, but it's a definite step up from Wheaton Academy's 2007 nonconference opener, a 32-6 pasting of Kirkland Hiawatha. Against a typically physical opponent, the key will be for Warriors linemen Connor Reilly, Israel Perez, Tyler Friedl and friends to open running lanes for returning back Chris Reddick.
Driscoll at Germantown (Wis.)
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: The seven-time defending state champs scoured the Midwest for a nonconference opener after the Rock Island Alleman contract ended. Germantown, which has about 1,000 more students than Driscoll, was 8-5 overall in 2007. The Warhawks beat Byron 29-6 in their 2007 opener.
Immaculate Conception at Aurora Christian
Game time: 7 p.m. today, East Aurora High.
The quick hit: IC lost just 12-7 to this eventual Class 3A semifinalist a year ago. Anticipated is, after three seasons of Jon Ellis at running back, how Paul Hornstra fares. He'll benefit from an offensive line that returns four of five starters.
Montini at Sacred Heart-Griffin
Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: In Lombard for last year's opener, Montini snapped a 28-game Griffins winning streak to beat the Cyclones for the first time in six tries. Quarterback Tom DiCristina remains from that crew, and in this game pitting Hall of Fame coaches Chris Andriano against Griffin's Ken Leonard, the senior will try to keep the spread offense moving. .
Yorkville at St. Francis
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Sort of a coming-out party for the host Spartans, who host a larger school for their first game under sharp new permanent lighting. St. Francis, which beat a good Nazareth team in its 2007 opener, should be improved with quarterback Jeff Reckards, backs Stan Bobowski and Mark Kachmer and the Ryans - Ferguson and O'Donnell - back for another year.
Conant at Lake Park
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Returning offensive lineman Peter Demars was Lake Park's hero against Conant in last year's 16-13 Lancers win, kicking field goals of 27, 24 and 28 yards, the last with eight seconds left. One key for the Lancers is as always: hold on to the football.
Prospect at Downers Grove North
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Downers North aims to end this eight-year nonconference series with a bang before playing Lockport in 2009. Last year's 10-7 Trojans' loss was typical: good defense, not enough offense
York at Highland Park
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: York quarterback Tom Judge didn't start this nonconference opener last year, which the Dukes won 20-13 behind 271 rushing yards. This season that number is more likely to come from Judge's arm, though it will be interesting to see what La'Zerick Williams can add to the ground game.