Scouting: Tri-Cities Week 1

Batavia at St. Charles East

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

Last year: St. Charles East 30, Batavia 7

Players to watch: For some it must seem like Wes Allen has been at St. Charles East forever, but he hasn't. The senior is back though, after an outstanding junior season in which he rushed for 1,321 yards and 17 TDs. Batavia certainly saw enough of him in last year's season opener, as the first-team all-Upstate Eight running back had 3 touchdowns and 99 rushing yards against the Bulldogs. Dan White seems to be one of the most intriguing to watch since he's expected to play quarterback and wide receiver so he could come up with both a big pass and a big reception in this one if Batavia isn't careful. With a lot of losses to graduation, the faces constructing the majority of the Bulldogs' defense might be unfamiliar so the line of seniors Alex Berg and Brandon Stoffel and juniors Ian Powers and Mike Greco will have a chore, especially since St. Charles East's offensive line has matured from Week 1 a season ago. Batavia is hopeful that the maturity and experience on offense will allow the defense to take its lumps. The Bulldogs have plenty of offensive firepower with returning quarterback Jordan Coffey, tailback Bai Kabba and wideouts Ryan Webb and Erich Zeddies. Webb will also start at linebacker and Zeddies at cornerback. What will also be interesting to see is how new fullbacks Evan Olexa and Mike Greco perform, as well as the trio of senior wide receivers, Andy Thomas, Jay Douglas and Tyler Lindquist, all who didn't see much action at their respective positions in 2007. The Saints' D-line is regrouping but the unit has plenty of proven players in linebackers Phil Bucaro and Pat Friel and a secondary that features Jack Leopardo, Eian O'Brien and Peter Chacon.

Outlook: Ask any local high school football player the best place to be and 99 out of 100, if not all, will respond, "There's no place better than under the lights on Friday night." What makes the first Friday night this season even more anticipated is the local flavor in this one. The two teams hadn't met on a football field in more than 40 years before last year when the Saints did some thumping in a 30-7 rout. Now, the teams are ready for Round 2. "It's a big game because so many of the kids know each other and that we beat them last year," St. Charles East coach Ted Monken said. "I know they'll be gunning for us and it'll be a big game, plus a little extra because of what happened last year so we'll have to be ready to answer the bell." And answer the high-octane Batavia offense. The Saints' stellar defense shut them down a year ago, but with quite a few personnel changes due to graduation, and with most of Batavia's skilled players back, this could be one of the most decisive areas in the contest. Still, since it's Week 1, isn't the focus more on oneself? "You can't really focus too much on personnel in Game 1," Batavia coach Mike Gaspari said. "You can read newspaper articles and we each know a bit more about each other now, but our focus is on ourselves. That's the nice thing about our program - we're versatile enough in how we attack the field so we simulate a lot of different things."

Bottom line: Game No. 1 of four regular season local Tri-Cities matchups is here already. Plenty of new faces will be exposed, returning starters will show why they're just that, and one team can begin scripting its playoff resume. Could you ask for anything better before September?

Cary-Grove at St. Charles North

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

Last year: Cary-Grove 16, St. Charles North 9

Players to watch: With a year of experience as the starting quarterback it should be interesting to see how Neari can run the North Stars offense, especially with Kyle Harmon back at running back, a nice group players ready to contribute in the backfield and the versatile and athletic Jonathan DeMoss as a threat at wideout. North Stars middle linebacker Jake Juriga is expected to be among the top linebackers in the area this fall and he'll try to lead his teammates in keeping Cary out of the end zone. It should also be worthwhile to note how well Dominic Imbordino and Ben Dvorak compete, especially as they incorporate many of their lacrosse talents on the football field. Cary seemingly has reloaded from last year's 9-2 squad, although they've got some key contributors from 2007 that the North Stars have to be wary of tonight. Offensively, lineman Brandon Coleman, who also plays on the D-line, returns along with center Kevin McGowan, tight end John Bryan and junior fullback Eric Chandler who rushed for 980 years last fall. Watch for Alex Hembry to see some opportunities as running back after playing on the other side of the ball last season. Defensively, the Trojans have excellent returning experience in safety Rob Mago, end Tyler O'Brien and Matt Nelsen, who had 9 interceptions in 2007. "We have a decent number of kids back for us," Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay said. "But like every year we have question marks and are hoping to improve on those."

Outlook: "We know each other pretty well and have some film so our scout team has a better idea on what they do," St. Charles North coach Mark Gould said in regards to facing Cary for the second consecutive season opener. "We'll be prepared more than last year and what they do is different from what we see in conference." What Cary does very well offensively is the option. "They do it great, they really do," Gould said. "Double dive, inside options. Their timing is great and they're a great program so we've got to be prepared for what they do." While the beginning of the football season can often see teams a bit timid or mistake prone, Gould is enthusiastic about his club's preparedness and hopes that it could ignite them. "We're farther ahead right now than ever before," he said. "We're feeling good about getting the season started." Once again the North Stars are going to be tested right away against a Trojans ballclub that has really put a hurting on opponents recently. Cary-Grove's impressive 9-2 mark last season was also its worst since 2003-2004. The Trojans are a filthy 44-5 in the past five seasons, but like the rest of the teams in state, many questions need to be answered as the players take the field for the first time. "The first game has a lot to do with the Jimmy's and the Joe's as much as the X's and the O's," Bruce said. "With all the contact we've had we're just anxious for a game. We're ready to see what we can do."

Bottom line: The North Stars have only won one season-opener in school history (2006). Coincidentally, that win came at home against a strong Fremd team. Perhaps the North Stars can start 2008 with a similar bang?

Geneva at Dundee-Crown

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

Last year: Geneva 34, Dundee-Crown 7

Players to watch: There should be plenty of Vikings who get opportunities to shine in this one. Pretty much everyone knows what running backs Michael Ratay and Drew Fagot can do so there will be plenty of focus on new quarterback Brandon Beitzel, the inexperienced group at wide receiver, as well as some of the other newcomers who should get some rushing chances as long as Geneva can take control early. It's difficult to choose one Viking to center on defensively, but watching middle linebacker Brennan Quinn is always a treat. Of course, he might not be too busy if linemen Frank Boenzi, Andrew Clausen, Cory Hofstetter and company take care of business in the trenches. Junior Asa Bielenberg will start in place of standout linebacker Trevor Hyslop who is recovering from an injury.

Outlook: Years from now Geneva hopes to look back at this game as the beginning of a potential championship season. The recent years at Dundee-Crown have been forgetful. The Chargers haven't had a winning season since 1995 (6-4) and are 2-18 in the last two seasons in which they've been outscored 650-251. The Chargers concluded 2007 with seven straight losses. Still, these are high school athletes and anything can happen, especially since Dundee-Crown has some returning players. "We know a little bit about them and they've got their quarterback and some other guys back," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "It's going to be important to protect the ball like in every game and we want to get off to a good start. It's always exciting to play that first game and we're hoping this is the first step of many."

Bottom line: Geneva is expected to be one of the elite teams in the state and Dundee-Crown hasn't won more than one game in each of the last two seasons. The Vikings should be able to start thinking about St. Charles East well before the horn sounds in this one.

Kaneland at Burlington Central

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

Last year: Kaneland 42, Burlington Central 29

Players to watch: Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly has had nothing but great things to say about new quarterback Joe Camiliere, as well as backup Blake Serpa, who will also spend time in the backfield with senior Tyler Suerth. "Those kids met me every morning at 6 in the morning every single day starting in October. Football is important to these guys. They're football players, more than just quarterbacks or whatever, they love to play football and how far they've come running and throwing the ball really has us excited." Defensively, it'll be interesting to see if the new defense for the Knights gets off to a solid start with a line that features seniors Steve Tosaw and Will King and up-and-coming sophomore Jimmy Boyle.

Outlook: Kaneland has scored 42 points or better in the season-opener between the two schools during the past three seasons. The Rockets haven't found a successful way to defend the Knights' spread offense, but their offense could make things difficult for the inexperienced and untested Kaneland defense, too. "It's a great rivalry," Fedderly said. "We play them in every sport, they're just 15 minutes way, both crowds get into it so it should be fun." Burlington Central coach Aaron Wichman agrees. "Offensively, they're going to spread people out," Wichman said. "They're going to know where their mismatches are and try to take advantage of it. They schemed us real well the last few years. They're a well-coached football team, so that's always a pretty tough task for us, but I'd rather have it that way because after Week 1 we know what we have and what we need to work on. Our guys get excited for that Week 1 game and Kaneland's kind of a boundary rival, too. It's exciting."

Bottom line: No. 13 proved to be unlucky last year as the Knights' streak of 12 consecutive postseason appearances ended after a 4-5 campaign. With the way the Western Sun Conference is shaping up, taking care of the first of the two nonconference games could be imperative to postseason play.

East Aurora at West Aurora

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: West Aurora 38, East Aurora 6

Players to watch: West Aurora coach Buck Drach has made it a point to have as few two-way players as possible, given the rigors of the DuPage Valley. Fullback and linebacker Garrett Rivers is one of the exceptions. Rivers is a "good lead blocker, can catch ball out of backfield," Drach said. "(We) Try to identify the top 20-25 kids and get them all on field. In the DVC you've got to have 22."

Outlook: The Tomcats went 0-9 a year ago, but that doesn't matter to Drach. He just wants to see his own team execute and play the smart football he has been trying to instill in his program the last three years. "I'm more concerned about our kids, getting them lined up," Drach said. "We had a scrimmage and were offsides 4 times in a row."

Bottom line: West Aurora has dominated this rivalry, and the Blackhawks look ready to continue that run in front of their home fans tonight.

Immaculate Conception at Aurora Christian

Game time: 7 p.m. today, East Aurora High

Last year: Aurora Christian 12, Immaculate Conception 7

Players to watch: Jordan Roberts starts his senior season 14 touchdowns away from setting the IHSA career record. Coach Don Beebe has called one freshman up to be on the roster, Mitch Holtz, who runs a 4.8 40 and would have started right away a few years ago, according to Beebe. The overall talent level at Aurora Christian has gone up noticeably since then, leaving expectations high as the Eagles prepare to follow up their school-best 12-1 2007 season and make the jump to Class 4A. "They are very motivated," Beebe said. For IC, after three seasons of Jon Ellis at running back, Paul Hornstra gets his turn. He'll benefit from an offensive line that returns four of five starters.

Outlook: The opening of Aurora Christian's new football field has been delayed, now set for the third week. Beebe said the lights went up this week and the turf is scheduled to be installed next week. "We're anxious to get the field done," Beebe said. "That's going to be awesome." The field will have all the bells and whistles, and Beebe is just as excited about a pavilion that will have severa picnic areas and a family friendly place for everyone. "We're trying to create a community type fellowship place, somewhere to hang out for people who don't even like to watch football."

Bottom line: Beebe, while enthused by the talent and potential of his team, also is concerned about the first two weeks against IC and then Mendota. But those teams should be even more worried about how they are going to beat the Eagles, who have the building blocks for a championship season behind a stifling defense and talented senior QB.

South Elgin at Marmion

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Marmion 45, South Elgin 12

Outlook: South Elgin returns to where it all began. Two years ago the Storm took to Marmion's field for the first football game in school history on a Saturday afternoon. They actually led at one point before giving way to the Cadets. They'll return to Aurora in a different atmosphere as Marmion plays its first full season under permanent lights. "It's their first night game," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert noted. "That first game is big for both teams." South Elgin is bolstered by junior linebacker Sean Kolber on defense, the team's leading tackler last year. Senior Pat Rae steps in as the second starting quarterback in the program's brief, three-year history. He has a talented target to throw to in college prospect Josh Smith, a burner at wide receiver who is fully recovered from an ACL tear suffered in Week 2 of last season. Marmion's 49-man roster includes 9 returning starters, including senior quarterback Ricky Bird. He'll throw to 6-3 receiver Sean Fichtel. A senior class that was beaten soundly by Prairie Ridge in the first round of the playoffs is joined by a junior class that went 7-1-1 on the sophomore level. South Elgin has not won a season opener.

Bottom line: How important is this game for the Cadets? "We must go 2-0 every year to have a chance in our conference," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said.

Yorkville at St. Francis

Game time: 7 p.m. today

Bottom line: 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. They'll also be more attuned to running coach Greg Purnell's Wing-T offense.

Mendota at Aurora Central

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Mendota 43, Aurora Central 26

Players to watch: The Chargers will have their work cut out for them against a Mendota team that returns a lot. Aurora Central moved the ball and put points on the board last year, but had trouble stopping Mendota. "We played OK against Mendota last year certainly on the offensive side of the ball," Curry said. "We were there to make plays and didn't make plays. This year some of those kids think we are a little better on defense this year."

Bottom line: If the SCC schedule wasn't enough, the Chargers open the season against Mendota and Harvard, who went a combined 19-4 last year. Five of Aurora Central's nine opponents this year won at least nine games last year, including 9-2 Mendota.

"They have a lot coming back, their sophomores were good and fast, we are going to have our hands full," Curry said. "We have our hands full with everybody."

Wheaton Academy at Momence

Game time: 5 p.m. today

Bottom line: 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.