Preview: St. Charles North (5-3, 3-2) at Neuqua Valley (4-4, 3-3)

St. Charles North (5-3, 3-2) at Neuqua Valley (4-4, 3-3)

Upstate Eight Conference

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

Last year: Neuqua Valley 45, St. Charles East 0.

Last week: St. Charles East 21, St. Charles North 0; Neuqua Valley 48, Streamwood 21.

Outlook: A one-game-at-a-time mentality has served Neuqua Valley well since the Wildcats' Week 4 loss left them 1-3 with Bartlett, St. Charles East and the North Stars still on the schedule. St. Charles North, which switched quarterbacks to Sean McGushin from Nick Neari, returned receiver Jon DeMoss last week after two games out. Other Stars stars include Jordan Huxtable, who has run for 839 yards and 11 touchdowns; and middle linebacker Jake Juriga, son of former Wheaton North and Denver Broncos lineman Jim Juriga. Since Neuqua's Week 4 loss the Wildcats have gone 3-1, honing the spread offense while shuttling in whichever running backs "come out of the training room healthy," coach Bryan Wells said. Not 100 percent, Nate Pena was strong enough to run for 85 yards last week. Receivers Josh Schaffer, Conner Yearian and Mike Camire share all but one of Alex Lincoln's 24 touchdown passes. To make the playoffs Neuqua must continue its offensive rhythm while Owen Larson and the secondary limit the big play.