Fox Valley Week 8 football previews

Thornton (7-0) at Bartlett (7-0)

When: Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Millennium Field

Last year: Bartlett 36, Thornton 26

Last week: Bartlett 31, Neuqua Valley 28; Thornton 18, T.F. South 14

Outlook: A fortunate bit of scheduling brings two ranked, undefeated teams together in a late-season, nonconference collision. Bartlett is No. 4 in The Associated Press Class 8A poll this week. Thornton is ranked No. 9. "I'm excited. I love playing good competition," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "It makes you work harder in practice. It makes you think more about what you want to do, how you want to defend, how you want to attack it. It makes coaching fun." Thornton has beaten 3 teams with winning records: Lockport (4-3) in Week 2, 40-13; Crete-Monee (4-3) in Week 3, 18-12; and T.F. South (5-2) last week, 18-14. Their other four victories came against teams with a combined 6-22 record. Bartlett has also beaten three teams with winning records: Glenbard North (4-3) in Week 1, 28-21; Oswego (5-2) in Week 2, 17-0; and St. Charles North (4-3) in Week 5, 21-7. The Hawks other four wins came against teams with a combined record of 9-19. "Bartlett is going to be a tremendous challenge for us," Thornton coach and athletic director Bill Mosel said. "I think they're a very good football team. We've seen them on film and in person and played against a lot of the same kids last year. They're very physical, well-coached and fundamentally sound. At this time of the year, it definitely does feel like a playoff game." Thornton runs a spread offense with varying formations centered around quarterback Darren Jones, who has received offers from various big-time colleges to play either a quarterback, wide receiver or defensive back, Mosel said. The Wildcats will line up with four, sometimes five wide receivers, but twins in the backfield could signal the option is coming. "They do that extremely well, and that's something we're really working on in practice but it's hard to imitate that speed they've got," Meaney said. "(Jones) is the real deal. He's 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and he can flat-out move." The Bartlett defense has been somewhat susceptible against good passing attacks, averaging 213 yards allowed through the air per game. "That's on the whole defense," Meaney said. "Either we're not getting enough from the rush, or we're not stopping passes out in the flats, or stopping crossovers with linebackers or defensive backs. We still have a lot of work to do."

Hampshire (4-3, 3-0) at Burlington Central (2-5, 2-1)

When: today at 7:45 p.m. at Rocket Hill

Last year: Burlington Central 18, Hampshire 7

Last week: Burlington Central 35, Marengo 14; Hampshire 47, North Boone 13

Outlook: Homecoming on Rocket Hill will have playoff intensity as the Rockets try to keep their postseason hopes alive with an upset of Big Northern East leading Hampshire. The Whip-Purs have won 4 straight and can clinch at least a share of the league title with a victory. As if the Rockets needed more motivation than playing their biggest rival on homecoming, they still have an outside shot at making the playoffs. Central can finish in a first-place tie with wins this week over Hampshire and next week against Harvard. A three-way tie with Richmond-Burton would likely be the result and the BN-E automatic playoff representative would then be determined by scoring differential in games between the teams involved in the tie. "This is homecoming week and it's Hampshire, so they're pretty excited to play," Central coach Aaron Wichman said. "We still have a lot to play for." Hampshire hopes to eliminate the need for tiebreaker conversations by staying on a roll and winning out. "We don't worry about anything else at this point," Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh said. "We just know it's Central. They're going to be sky-high. We know the rivalry and that's really all we're focusing on. The kids know what's at stake. They enjoy the Burlington rivalry. It's always a real hotly contested game and everybody puts their best foot forward." The Whip-Purs have gotten on track offensively. After scoring 28 combined points in 3 losses to open the season, they've since averaged 28.8 points per game in 4 victories. The Whips run the ball primarily. Hampshire has only thrown the ball on 83 of its 381 plays from scrimmage (28.1 percent). But those 83 passes have resulted in 701 of their 2,049 total yards (34.2 percent). Senior Bo Price is coming off back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. Central's run stopper is middle linebacker Frank Wleklinski, who has recorded 20-plus tackles twice this season. An intelligent player and a good student, he studies film in Wichman's classroom for 20 minutes every day before school. The Rockets get a lift this week from the return of center Roberto Cárdenas, who missed last week's game with a sprained ankle. In fact, Wichman said the Rockets are as physically strong and healthy as they've been since fall practice opened.

Montini (7-0, 5-0) at St. Edward (3-4, 1-4)

When: today at 7 p.m. at Greg True Field

Last year: Montini 52, St. Edward 0;

Last week: Montini 35, Marian Central 27; St. Francis 28, St. Edward 12

Outlook: St. Edward hasn't been able to gain the signature victory within the Suburban Catholic Conference that would elevate the program to the league's upper echelon. With playoff elimination staring them in the face, it's now or never for the Green Wave against a Montini team that will play Driscoll next week for the SCC title regardless of the outcome against St. Edward. "This is a good conference," Green Wave coach Mike Rolando said. "We need to start making plays and eliminating mistakes to win the big ones. We've got nothing to lose this week. Hopefully, Montini is looking at it as nothing to gain. Hopefully, they're looking past us and we can get things firing on all cylinders at the same time. It's up to us." The Broncos are led by quarterback Tom DiChristina, who has completed 106-of-169 passes for 1,379 yards and 15 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions and has rushed for 404 yards and 8 touchdowns in 105 attempts. Montini has won the close ones this season. The Broncos are 5-0 in games decided by 7 points or less. The Green Wave counter with a strong running game with tailback Jimmy Mathisen and fullback Moises Quiroga, who have led the charge to 1,714 rushing yards, or an average of 249 yards per game. The Green Wave could find room to run against a Montini defense that surrenders an average of 149 yards rushing per game. For St. Edward to pull the upset and remain in the playoff hunt into the final week of the season, the Green Wave players must believe they can compete with the league leader. "We have to get to that point where the kids are confident enough to take the field with anybody and win games," Rolando said. "I think last week some bad things started happening. We were running the ball up and down the field, but a blocked punt and a fumble got in the kids' heads and took away their confidence for the second half. If we can come out and execute, if we can put things together and not make mistakes, I think we can have success."

Waubonsie Valley (4-3, 3-1) at South Elgin (2-5, 1-3)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Millennium Field

Last year: Waubonsie Valley 55, South Elgin 13

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 37, Bloom Twp. 12; St. Charles East 42, South Elgin 3

Outlook: The defending league champs are playing like it again. The Warriors have won four straight since losing their first three games of the season to Naperville Central (5-2), Prairie Ridge (5-2) and St. Charles East (5-2). South Elgin has lost 2 straight. The Storm offense will have to find the holes in a tight Waubonsie defense that holds opponents to an average of 103.6 yards passing per game. South Elgin throws for 182 yards per game, led by senior quarterback Patrick Rae, who has completed 89-of-173 attempts for 1,274 yards and 9 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. His top targets have been senior wideout Josh Smith (41 receptions, 659 yards, 4 touchdowns) and junior Jake Kumerow (10-233-1). The Warriors got off to a slow start with an all-new offensive line and only three returning starters from last year's Upstate Eight championship team. But the spread offense is clicking now behind third-year starting quarterback Tyler Castro. The senior has completed 121-of-199 passes for 1,522 yards and 17 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions. He has equally adept receivers in Junior Scott Kuehn (45 receptions, 546 yards, 8 TDs) and senior Mark Hilgers (42-581-5). If the game is close, Waubonsie can rely on Indiana-bound kicker Mitch Ewald.

Elgin (1-6, 1-3) at Larkin (3-4, 2-3)

When: Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Memorial Field

Last year: Larkin 53, Elgin 35

Last week: Elgin 47, East Aurora 13; St. Charles North 41, Larkin 0

Outlook: The cross-town battle for the Town Jug is one of the most entertaining games of the year if you're a fan of offense. The teams have combined in their last three meetings for an average of 82.3 points per game. Both teams scored at least 28 points in those games. Another shootout could be in store with big playmakers on both sides. One player Larkin will be wary of at all times is Elgin wide receiver Jamal Cook, who has 28 receptions for 646 yards and 8 touchdowns. Both of Elgin quarterback Tom Roth's scoring passes last week went to Cook, including a 70-yard pass play. "Jamal Cook is the best football player in the (Upstate Eight) conference," Larkin coach Matt Gehrig said. "He can run and he can score at anytime. He's the kind of guy every coach would like to have on his team as far as his physical capabilities." Roth has completed 76-of-180 attempts for an area-best 1,384 yards and 13 touchdowns. Roth completed 5-of-8 passes for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns last week against East Aurora and ran for 2 scores in a 47-13 homecoming victory. "I think confidence-wise, that's a big plus for the kids," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said of beating East Aurora. "Now here we go with Larkin. Records out the window and everything else. It's one game for the Jug and pride and bragging rights for a year." Larkin counters with a spread offense out of which the Royals will throw, or handoff to running backs Jalen Williams (333 yards) and Brandon Cooks (280 yards), or run the option with quarterback Justin Kalusa trailed by running back Jeff Saurbaugh. Larkin has won 13 of the last 15 meetings between these rivals and 6 in a row. Larkin leads the all-time series 28-17. The Royals not only need a win to hold on to bragging rights, they need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive in Week 9, when they visit Waubonsie Valley. "We're ready to bounce back," Gehrig said. "We will be ready to play on Saturday morning."

Neuqua Valley (3-4, 2-3) at Streamwood (1-6, 1-4)

When: Saturday at noon at Millennium Field

Last year: Neuqua Valley 42, Streamwood 14

Last week: Bartlett 31, Neuqua Valley 28; Lake Park 42, Streamwood 7

Outlook: Streamwood will try to regroup after a lopsided loss to Lake Park by competing with the Wildcats in a Saturday matinee. That won't be an easy task since the Wildcats are a better team than their 3-4 record might indicate. Neuqua Valley lost the season opener to defending Class 8A state champion Naperville North, 41-19, and dropped a 31-28 decision last week to undefeated Bartlett. The Wildcats nearly beat Bartlett in the final seconds, until Hawks safety Alex VanNess ripped what would have been the game-winning touchdown out of the hands of Western Michigan-bound Neuqua receiver Josh Schaffer (6-2, 200) in the end zone. Neuqua Valley likes to throw the ball with senior quarterback Alex Lincoln. He threw 7 touchdowns in an overtime victory against St. Charles East two weeks ago. For the season Lincoln has completed 108-of-208 attempts for 1,490 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has been intercepted eight times. But the Wildcats won't necessarily have to put the ball in the air to beat a Streamwood defense that surrenders an average of 212.9 yards rushing a game. The Sabres will have to be wary of senior running back Nate Pena, who has rushed for 539 yards and 5 touchdowns and averages 6.9 yards per carry. Streamwood counters with senior Derrick King, who has rushed for 426 yards and 4 touchdowns since switching to running back from receiver in Week 3.

Prairie Ridge (5-2, 3-0) at Huntley (7-0, 3-0)

When: today at 7:45 p.m. at Harmony Road Campus Field

Last year: Prairie Ridge 35, Huntley 6

Last week: Prairie Ridge 62, Grayslake North 17; Huntley 21, Crystal Lake Central 14

Outlook: The Fox Division title of the Fox Valley Conference will be decided in this clash between first-place teams. Prairie Ridge is the two-time defending division champion. Huntley is enjoying a breakthrough season and would like nothing more than to win its first conference title since joining the FVC in 2003, and improve its playoff seed in one fell swoop. The teams traded blowouts the last two seasons. Huntley beat PR 26-0 two years ago, and the Wolves returned the favor with a 35-6 victory last year. Prairie Ridge is led by third-year starting quarterback Bryan Bradshaw. Operating in a triple-option offense, the senior has rushed for 531 yards and 6 touchdowns and has completed 32-of-68 passes for 540 yards and 5 touchdowns. "He stretches you horizontally and vertically," Huntley coach Steve Graves said of Bradshaw. "He's an impact player. On any play he can go the distance with the run or the pass." PR running back Kevin Keener has carried 122 times for 654 yards and 12 scores. Huntley attacks on the ground with a physical offensive line blocking for senior running back Jordan Neukirch (6-2, 220), the area leader in yards rushing (1,182), and touchdowns (17). "It's probably the biggest offensive line and most physical offense we've faced up until now," Prairie Ridge coach Chris Schremp said. "Everyone knows about Neukirch, but I think his offensive line does a good job in front of him. It's not all just him getting the ball and running people over. He does do that, but his line does a nice job in front of him." The Huntley offense averages 320.4 yards rushing per game. If Huntley can pound the ball effectively against a good Prairie Ridge defense, the Red Raiders could earn themselves a conference championship. But it won't be easy. "Defensively, this is probably the first team that's going to shut down our run," Graves said. "They're extremely quick on defense. They have a veteran group back and they're very stingy against the run. Their team speed looks excellent overall. They have three really nice-sized defensive linemen that do a good job shutting the run off."

Crystal Lake South (5-2, 2-1) at Jacobs (1-6, 0-3)

When: today at 7:45 p.m. at Jacobs Athletic Field

Last year: Jacobs 16, Crystal Lake South 7

Last week: Cary-Grove 24, Crystal Lake South 7; Woodstock 30, Jacobs 7

Outlook: The main objective for Crystal Lake South this week is to clinch a playoff spot with a win, thereby positioning itself to earn a higher seed with a victory in Week 9. That's important since it's looking more and more like Crystal Lake South will be slotted as a Class 7A playoff team instead of Class 6A. "Our goal is to win this one so we don't have to worry about (playoff) points or anything like that," Gators coach Jim Stuglis said. "We'd like to finish up 7-2 because being in Class 7A will be tough enough as it is, let along going in as a 6-3 or 5-4 team. I don't think that will be a favorable draw for anyone." The Gators were upset last year by Jacobs, but how much of a fight the Golden Eagles can put up after 6 straight losses is a question. Of the 13 area football teams, Jacobs ranks last in offense (179 yards per game) and eighth in defense (331.9 ypg). Whoever holds onto the ball in this game will have the upper hand. Both teams have a minus-5 turnover margin this season. The Gators installed a 3-3-5 defensive scheme this year. While the Gators have played well, everyone is still trying to master the intricacies of the system, including the coaching staff after a 24-7 loss to Cary-Grove last week. "We learned some stuff about ourselves, what we need to improve on," Stuglis said. "Mainly, how we have to coach this. It's a new defense, and we kind of got caught having kids do things against a very good team that just didn't work out for us. That's a learning process. We'll continue to learn from it and, hopefully, get better from it." Expect the Gators to run the ball often against a Jacobs defense that allows an average of 241.7 yards rushing per game. The CL South offense averages 165.1 yards rushing per game, led by shifty junior tailback Colin Masterson (549 yards, 5 TDs) and senior fullback Derek Mortensen (392-1).

Cary-Grove (7-0, 3-0) at Dundee-Crown (3-4, 0-3)

When: today at 7:45 p.m. at the D-C Bowl

Last year: Cary-Grove 37, Dundee-Crown 7

Last week: Cary-Grove 24, Crystal Lake South 7; McHenry 32, Dundee-Crown 10

Outlook: The Cary-Grove express keeps on rolling. The No. 2 team in The Associated Press Class 6A poll won its 31st straight conference game last week by defeating the main challenger to its throne 24-7. This week the Trojans travel to Carpentersville to face a Dundee-Crown team on the playoff ropes. The Chargers have lost three in a row and must beat Cary-Grove and Jacobs (1-6) in their final two games to qualify for playoff consideration. That's a tough assignment against a Cary-Grove program that has lost only 1 regular-season game in five years. "They're loaded," Chargers coach Mike Davis said of Cary-Grove. "They're a very good team. Their defense is fast. They just fly all over the place. I think they're very comparable to the group that could have won state but lost to Batavia (in 2006 in a Class 6A quarterfinal). They look very similar to that group. They're obviously extremely well-coached. It's a great program they have going." The Trojans will play without junior running back Alex Hembrey. He returned from injury last week after missing three games and carried 9 times for 84 yards, including a 55-yard run. However, his knee was still tender as of Tuesday and Hembrey was scheduled to undergo an MRI. He won't play this week, according to Trojans coach Bruce Kay. But deep Cary-Grove hasn't missed a beat regardless of who has been in the lineup this season. The goal at Cary-Grove is to get better ever week regardless of the opponent. "We have to continue to improve," Kay said. "We have different facets of the game that we need to get better at, and Dundee-Crown's our next test." Cary-Grove fullback Eric Chandler ran for 3 touchdowns last week and ranks second in area rushing. The senior has gained 752 of the team's 2,131 rushing yards. Dundee-Crown senior Ian Salvatini is the area's third-leading rusher with 590 yards and 3 touchdowns.