Scouting Week 9 in the Fox Valley

Dundee-Crown (3-5, 0-4) at Jacobs (1-7, 0-4)

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

Last year: Jacobs 27, Dundee-Crown 13

Last week: CL South 28, Jacobs 0; Cary-Grove 33, Dundee-Crown 6

Outlook: Records, schmecords. Throw 'em out. Though neither team is playoff bound this season, some of the hardest hitting in the area will take place on the Jacobs Athletic Field tonight, when these District 300 rivals collide in the season finale. "That's the nice thing about playing your rival in the last game of the year - it doesn't matter what your record is," D-C coach Mike Davis said. "The kids are going to play hard because they don't want to lose to their rival. That's why colleges have their rivalry game in the last game of the year. Our kids play hard regardless, but this game keeps them motivated." Dundee-Crown leads the all-time series 16-9, dating back to 1983, but Jacobs has won the last 5 meetings. The Golden Eagles will get some help in their quest to keep the win streak over D-C alive. Back from injury this week are Jacobs running back Jai Bradford (38 carries, 179 yards, 2 TDs), senior offensive lineman Jeff Novak (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) and senior strong safety John Bolz. They've each missed at least the last 2 games. The Chargers will also get a boost from the return of senior wide receiver Justin Strzelczyk, who led D-C with 11 catches for 179 yards and 2 scores before he was hurt in the Woodstock game in Week 5. D-C quarterback Logan Kissack has completed 80-of-187 attempts for 8 touchdowns. He has been intercepted 13 times. Senior Ian Salvatini leads the Chargers with 583 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns in 110 attempts. "They have some playmakers on offense with (Kissack) and the two running backs," Jacobs coach Dean Schlueter said. "They have some guys who can catch the ball. They have proven they can move the ball up and down the field and score. Defensively, they'll hit you. We have to make sure we play solidly and execute every play. If we give them any room to run, they can break it at any time throwing the ball or running."

Huntley (8-0, 4-0) at Johnsburg (3-5, 2-2)

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

Last year: Johnsburg 24, Huntley 21

Last week: Huntley 31, Prairie Ridge 28, OT; Crystal Lake Central 34, Johnsburg 13

Outlook: Here's a scary thought a week before Halloween: Huntley's running game could get even better. "We don't think we've put our best backfield together yet," Huntley coach Steve Graves said. The Red Raiders have rushed for 2,449 yards this season, despite not having their top three runners healthy at the same time. Lead back Jordan Neukirch (1,255 yards, 16 TDs) has played in every game. But impressive junior Brett Kleckner (303 yards, 5 TDs) missed the first 2 games of the season with an injury and was working his way back into the rotation when senior David Conrad (303 yards, 6 TDs) to hurt and missed the last 2 games. With Conrad returning this week, Huntley can finally go with its three-pronged power attack of Neukirch (6-foot-2, 220), Conrad (6-1, 218) and Kleckner (6-2, 219) in the same backfield. When they need a change of pace, the Red Raiders count on junior speed back Tanner Stearns (472 yards, 3 TDs). With the Fox Division title in hand after last week's rally from 21 points down to beat Prairie Ridge, Huntley aims to finish strong and grab one of the top seeds in Class 6A. To do so, they'll have to stop Johnsburg's passing game. Skyhawks quarterback Jerad Grundy has thrown for 1,768 yards and 18 touchdowns and has been intercepted 10 times. His top target is tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, who has 46 catches for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns. Brad Potts has 29 receptions for 485 yards and 5 TDs. "Our kids don't feel they've finished the regular season yet, and they'd be very disappointed if they didn't play very well in Game 9," Graves said. "They're all fearful of Johnsburg. We took the lead on them last year with about 40 seconds left to go and C.J. and (Grundy) just came down the field and butchered us. So we know how quickly they can score on our secondary, and our secondary guys know they have a tremendous challenge. We think they're one of the best passing combinations in this part of the state."

Cary-Grove (8-0, 4-0) at McHenry (3-5, 2-2)

When: today at 7:45 p.m. at McCracken Field

Last year: Cary-Grove 20, McHenry 0

Last week: Woodstock 7, McHenry 0; Cary-Grove 33, Dundee-Crown 6

Outlook: Cary-Grove can complete its fourth undefeated regular season in five years with a victory tonight. The Trojans have won 44 of their last 45 regular-season games and 32 straight conference games. How the Warriors come out early will determine how closely this game is contested. McHenry played an emotional, intense game last week in a narrow loss to Woodstock. That defeat eliminated the Warriors from the playoffs for the first time in 20 seasons, snapping the fifth-longest postseason streak in the state. Can McHenry bounce back? "They've been playing very hard and they have the ability to beat us," Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay said. "We're going to have to play a good football game to beat them." The Trojans are a bit banged up in the backfield. Both fullback Eric Chandler and running back Alex Hembrey are questionable for this game. But the Trojans have been winning with defense of late. Cary-Grove's fast defense has held its opponents to a total of 13 points in 4 games against Valley Division opponents. The secondary is a big reason the Trojans lead the area with 17 touchdowns, led by senior cornerback Matt Nelsen (5). The other four defensive backs in the 3-3-5 scheme are Stuart Gaulke (FS), Trent Sorensen (CB), Chad McCarron (SS) and Kyle Liebforth (SS). They'll try to put a net over McHenry quarterback Ryan Michel, who has thrown for 540 yards and 5 touchdowns but has been intercepted 7 times. McHenry running back Dana Kohn has rushed for 644 yards and 5 TDs.

Woodstock (6-2, 3-1) at Crystal Lake South (6-2, 3-1)

When: today at 7:45 p.m. at Ken Bruhn Field

Last year: CL South 27, Woodstock 10

Last week: CL South 28, Jacobs 0; Woodstock 7, McHenry 0

Outlook: Second place in the Valley Division and a possible home game in Round 1 of the playoffs awaits the victor. CL South was sent on the road in Round 1 of the playoffs last year despite finishing with a 7-2 record, but the Gators' 39 playoff points going into this weekend should merit home-field advantage if they can beat the Blue Streaks. "Its a real big game for us, for both teams really," Gators coach Jim Stuglis said. "Besides getting a home playoff game, being second in conference is more impressive than being third, that's for sure." Woodstock third-year starting quarterback Derek Brown has thrown for 1,033 yards and 8 touchdowns. He has been intercepted 8 times. His top target has been receiver Mike Kremske (28 catches, 416 yards, 4 TDs). The Gator defense has limited opponents to 191 total yards per game. CL South will attack a Woodstock defense that is coming off a shutout of McHenry. CL South junior Colin Masterson averages 7.1 yards per carry. He has rushed for 687 yards and 7 touchdowns but has also proven himself as a dual threat with 11 catches - 4 for touchdowns - and 220 yards receiving. The Gators are heading to the playoffs for the eighth straight year under Stuglis. The Blue Streaks are playoff bound for the second year in a row and the eighth time in nine years.

Hampshire (5-3, 4-0) at Marengo (1-7, 0-4)

When: today at 7 p.m. at Rod Poppe Fields

Last year: Hampshire 28, Marengo 7

Last week: Hampshire 21, Burlington Central 0; Richmond-Burton 49, Marengo 7

Outlook: That 3-game losing streak to start the year seemed like it happened ages ago. Last week Hampshire clinched its first divisional title in the Big Northern Conference since 2005 with a convincing win at Burlington Central. The Whip-Purs have won 5 games in a row and look to improve their seed in the Class 4A playoffs with a victory in the regular-season finale at Marengo. The Whip-Purs have outscored their four conference opponents 116-43. The Indians have been outscored by BNC-E foes 177-48. "We talk every week about just getting better," Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh said. "We don't like to dwell too much on who we're playing. They present some problems, but we want to just finish things off, get better and get into the playoffs on a high note." The Hampshire defense shut out an opponent last week for the first time this season and for the first time since the Whips blanked Oregon 28-0 in Week 6 of the 2005 campaign. Hampshire is second in the area only to Cary-Grove in total yards allowed (183.4 avg.). The Whips also benefit from a plus-7 turnover margin.

Harvard (4-4, 2-2) at Burlington Central (2-6, 2-2)

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

Last year: Harvard 26, Burlington Central 0

Last week: Hampshire 21, Burlington Central 0; Harvard 19, North Boone 7

Outlook: The Rockets were shut out last week for the first time since Week 9 of last season, when Harvard won 26-0. The option offense hasn't been able to gain traction this season behind an offensive line consisting mainly of inexperienced and undersized juniors and sophomores. The Rockets average 149.4 total yards per game and 15 points. "On offense it's been a recurring theme: we can move the ball, but once we get closer to the end zone we either hurt ourselves or teams clamp down a bit," Central coach Aaron Wichman said. "We just can't find a way to punch it in." The Central defense played well last week, allowing only one long drive to conference champion Hampshire. The defense has limited opponents to 266 total yards per game. Harvard's aim is to become playoff eligible. Even with a win the Hornets will have to sweat out the playoff selection process on Saturday since they enter the weekend with 30 playoff points (the combined number of wins by opponents). The Rockets would like to finish strong. "It's the last game at home for the seniors and we've talked to the younger guys about getting a win to build some momentum into the winter and spring and on into next year," Wichman said. "This is the last time that this team, as friends and as teammates that have practiced together since the beginning of the summer, gets to put the pads on together. That should be important to them."

St. Edward (3-5, 1-5) at Marmion (3-5, 1-5)

When: today at 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Marmion 24, St. Edward 14

Last week: Montini 33, St. Edward 27; Marmion 40, Aurora Central 14

Outlook: Don't let the record fool you. St. Edward was a much improved team in 2008. If the Green Wave played in almost any mid-sized conference in the state other than the rugged Suburban Catholic, they'd be preparing for the state playoffs instead of preparing to hand in their equipment. Instead, the Wave played competitively but lost to SCC foes Montini, Driscoll, St. Francis and Marian Central, teams that have been ranked in the top 10 in their respective classes most of the season. But at team needs 5 wins to qualify, and the brutal competition within the league denied a good St. Edward team a chance to make the postseason. Consider: St. Edward beat Hampshire 15-7 in the season opener and Hampshire went on to win the Big Northern-East without suffering a loss. "I think our kids know that they took the program to another level this season, which is what every class has really been dedicated to doing here the last couple of years," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "It's still disappointing in the present. At the end of the season, we'll look back and see it was a huge step for us to be competing with what I think could be a couple of state champions out of our conference, depending on what classes they end up in. They can say they took every one of those teams to the final bell. They've made great progress and it's been a great group of kids I've had the pleasure of coaching, some of them for the last six years. It's been a fun ride." The Wave can end on a high note with a victory in Aurora against a solid Marmion team that has also played the league's top teams tough to no avail. The Cadets snapped a 5-game SCC losing streak last week.

Bartlett (8-0, 5-0) at East Aurora (2-6, 1-4)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Roy E. Davis Field

Last year: Bartlett 55, East Aurora 6

Last week: Bartlett 28, Thornton 14; Lake Park 49, East Aurora 12

Outlook: The Hawks can finish off the first undefeated regular season in school history and clinch the outright Upstate Eight Conference title with a victory over the Tomcats. On paper, it's a mismatch. Bartlett has outscored its opponents 239-105. East Aurora has been outscored 244-94. "The last couple of years we've been pretty successful against them," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "It's supposed to rain and anything can happen if you have a wet ball in those types of conditions." East Aurora beat South Elgin in a rainstorm in Aurora in Week 3, but the Bartlett offense would have to be washed away by a flash flood for the Tomcats to have a realistic shot at the upset. The Hawks are averaging 332 yards and 29.9 points scored per game. East Aurora's running game has kept it competitive this season against the lower half of the conference. But the Tomcats won't find much room to maneuver against a Bartlett defense that has held opposing rushing games to an average of 62 yards a game. Part of that rigidity against the run comes from the secondary, including safety Steve Seeman, a big hitter who notched 9 tackles in last week's victory over Thornton.

Larkin (4-4, 3-3) at Waubonsie Valley (5-3, 4-1)

When: today at 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Waubonsie Valley 28, Larkin 0

Last week: Larkin 15, Elgin 6; Waubonsie Valley 45, South Elgin 19

Outlook: The mission is clear-cut for the Royals in Week 9: win or go home. For the second straight year, Larkin is vying for a playoff berth in the regular-season finale against the Warriors. Waubonsie Valley denied Larkin a postseason bid last year with a 28-0 victory that sealed its Upstate Eight Conference title. After losing their first 3 games of the season to Naperville Central (5-3), Prairie Ridge (5-3) and St. Charles East (6-2), the Warriors have rebounded to win 5 straight. "The playoffs go through Waubonsie for us," Larkin coach Matt Gehrig said. "They're good every year. We're going to have our best showing and get the job done at 5-4. We're all very excited about the chance to make that happen Friday night. We'll show up and give them our best shot." Even if the Royals win, they'll have to sweat it out during Saturday night's selection show. Of the 74 teams in the state with 4-4 records, only three had fewer playoff points than Larkin's 30 heading into the weekend. To make the playoffs, Larkin has to beat a team with a winning record for the first time this season. The Royals' wins have come against Streamwood (1-7), Jacobs (1-7), Elgin (1-7) and East Aurora (2-6). Because of injuries and positions switches, the offense is only now beginning to get comfortable. Larkin must find a way to score more than its 15 points-per-game average. The Larkin defense is tasked with finding a way to stop a Waubonsie shotgun-spread offense that averages 27.5 ppg. The Warriors throw the ball behind senior quarterback Tyler Castro, who has completed 132-of-218 attempts for 1,716 yards and 19 touchdowns. His top receivers are senior Mark Hilgers (48 catches, 587 yards, 8 TDs) and junior Scott Kuehn (47-701-7).

Lake Park (3-5, 3-3) at Elgin (1-7, 1-4)

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

Last year: Lake Park 48, Elgin 41

Last week: Larkin 15, Elgin 6; Lake Park 49, East Aurora 12

Outlook: Elgin will attempt to salvage a bit of pride in the season finale after falling to rival Larkin last week at Memorial Field. The Maroons made too many mistakes in key situations against the Royals: an interception in the end zone, a touched punt in the fourth quarter that Larkin recovered, and too many fumbles. Those mistakes can't happen if the Maroons intend to play with the Lancers. "They're big and (the expected bad) weather won't help us," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "Hopefully, we can get some things started offensively. There's no question we'll have to throw the ball the majority of the time because they are big and strong on the lines, but I think we can find times to run it here and there. They throw 60 percent of time, so we'll see what they do. We just have to execute, that's the big thing." Senior receiver/defensive back Jamal Cook will be in action after missing last week's game for personal reasons. Lake Park has won 2 straight on the heels of a 3-game skid that nixed its playoff hopes, but the Lancers demonstrated how dangerous they can be in Week 3, when they beat Neuqua Valley 20-6. Elgin is led by senior quarterback (and safety) Tom Roth, who leads all area passers with 1,550 yards this season. He has completed 90-of-205 attempts, including 13 touchdowns against 7 interceptions.

Streamwood (1-7, 1-5) vs. South Elgin (2-6, 1-4)

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

Last year: South Elgin 21, Streamwood 20

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 45, South Elgin 19; Neuqua Valley 48, Streamwood 21

Outlook: This Upstate Eight Conference finale between District U-46 schools will provide a silver lining for one team. "From a physical standpoint we match up pretty well," Streamwood coach Cal Cummins said. "Neither team has great size, but both teams have been pretty scrappy throughout the season and made opportunities for themselves. But it's been a struggle at times also." Streamwood was able to hang with Neuqua Valley in the early going last week, thanks to a 61-yard reception for a touchdown by senior Derrick King. "He is pretty darned good," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said of King, who lines up mostly at running back. "He runs really well and when they split him out he can catch the ball. When he has the ball in space, he really has some speed. That's a concern." A concern for Streamwood will be the Storm passing game, led by senior receiver Josh Smith. After missing last year due to a torn ACL, Smith has come back to lead the area in receptions (50) and yards (818) and has 6 catches for touchdowns. Both teams would like to end the season positively. "You have to try to win your last one and take it into the off-season and build." South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. The Storm have much to look forward to in the coming years. The sophomore and freshman teams are 8-0 this season and the freshman B team is 7-0-1.