Scouting: Neuqua Valley vs. Naperville C.

Neuqua Valley (0-1) vs. Naperville Central (1-0)

Nonconference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today, North Central College. Last year: Did not play.

Last week: Naperville North 28, Neuqua Valley 21 (2 OT); Naperville Central 25, Waubonsie Valley 17.

Outlook: This is the first regular-season meeting between the two schools; Naperville Central beat Neuqua 17-14 in the 2003 Class 8A playoffs. Neuqua Valley showed depth and vast improvement over recent openers against Naperville North, mainly behind Joey Ippolito in his varsity quarterback debut. The 6-foot-3 senior ran for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns and threw for 190 more yards, including a 20-yard score to Bob Herzberger. Still, Wildcats coach Bryan Wells seeks offensive options other than Ippolito. In a good sign for tonight, Neuqua held Naperville North to 9-of-23 passing with interceptions by linebackers T.J. Rhattigan and Andy Shonkwiler.

It'll be tough for Naperville Central to contain Ippolito, but that's the No. 1 challenge in this one. Although Redhawks coach Mike Stine loved last week's win, he wasn't particularly pleased with any phase of the game. Quarterback Nick Linne directed a pair of masterful drives last week, but a struggling ground game thwarted many other drives. Even though Tyler Bell returned a kick 99 yards for a touchdown, three missed opportunities on extra points left crucial points on the field. The defense looked sound while forcing 6 turnovers, but Stine wants more stops. With a game under their belts, look for a more finely tuned effort from the Redhawks.

Next week: South Elgin (1-0) at Neuqua Valley; Naperville Central at West Aurora (1-0).