Scouting Week 3 in the Fox Valley

Lake Park (1-1) at Larkin (2-0)

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

Last meeting 2002 Lake Park 28, Larkin 0

Last week Larkin 34; Oswego East 7; Glenbard East 22, Lake Park 18

Outlook The Lancers and Royals get reacquainted on the gridiron for the first time since the 2002 season. Larkin heads into the Upstate Eight Conference opener with confidence following its best start since 2004. A win would match the best start since the 2002 Royals opened 3-0. Larkin is led by a stout defense that held McHenry and Oswego East to a combined 13 points. Oswego East was limited to 163 total yards. Larkin senior tailback Jalen Williams has rushed for back-to-back 100-yard games. Tight end/linebacker Alex Wahl is one of the team's most improved players and is exceeding expectations, according to coach Matt Gehrig. Lake Park features three-year starters Larry Nawrot at quarterback and Ryan Gerts at linebacker. Senior running back Artie Monaco, Lake Park's leading all-purpose yards leader in 2008, rushed for 141 yards and 4 touchdowns in a season-opening victory over Conant and 102 yards and a touchdown against Glenbard East. How the Lancers rebound from last week will be a key. They led Glenbard East 18-0 and had a chance to put the game away in the fourth quarter before penalties undercut a drive that could have sealed a victory. Offensively, coach Andy Livingston's team lines up mainly in two-back or one-back sets with the intent of running the ball. Nawrot twisted an ankle in the opener. He played last week and attempted 4 passes, but backup George Herrman attempted 8 passes, 2 of which were intercepted. "They're loaded," Gehrig said of the Lancers. "On either side of the ball you're hard pressed to find any weaknesses. They run a lot of different formations, they have a very good quarterback, a good running back and an offensive line group that looks big and athletic. It's our toughest test, no doubt about it. This game will tell us exactly where we're at in our quest to win the Upstate Eight."

South Elgin (2-0) at Neuqua Valley (0-2)

When today at 7:30 p.m.

Last First meeting

Last week Naperville Central 21; Neuqua Valley 7; South Elgin 21, Vernon Hills 7

Outlook South Elgin is 2-0 for the first time in the program's four-year history, led by its opportunistic, hard-hitting defense. Linebacker Justin Wright has been crushing opponents with big hits. The Storm defense came up with an interception and 5 fumble recoveries against Vernon Hills. One of those fumbles was returned for a 68-yard touchdown by lineman Derek Hurschman to seal the victory late. Hurschman, also a wide receiver, was on the receiving end of a 7-yard touchdown throw from mobile junior quarterback John Menken. will be tested by Neuqua Valley's spread offense led by senior quarterback Joe Ippolito. "They're a very athletic bunch and they spread the field for two reasons: they have guys who can catch the football and if Ippolito doesn't have anything, he'll take off with the football," South Elgin coach Dale Schabert said. "We have to account for him because he's not shy about pulling it down and taking off. He's a good runner. We kind of faced the same thing last week with a spread field and a very athletic quarterback and the kids played well." Ippolito rushed for 118 yards a touchdown last week on 25 carries and completed 19-of-30 passes for 245 yards and another score. Neuqua Valley led 17-0 last week before Naperville Central scored 3 second-half touchdowns to prevail. The Wildcats outgained Naperville Central 393-295 in total yards but were intercepted twice.

Waubonsie Valley (1-1) at Bartlett (1-1)

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

Last meeting 2004 Bartlett 48, Waubonsie Valley 0

Last week Crystal Lake South 40, Bartlett 0; Waubonsie Valley 22, Oswego 18

Outlook Bartlett cannot dwell on last week's shut out by Crystal Lake South, not with one of the Upstate Eight's top contenders paying a visit in the conference opener for both teams. The Hawks had difficulty dealing with a bigger defensive front last week. "We're not going to see much different this weekend," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said of the Warriors. "Waubonsie has a very fast defense and they really go to the ball quickly. They're very strong. They have a couple of defensive ends that are quite good: Cory Connolly (6-3, 210) and (Rickey) Simpson (6-2, 215) and another kid is a 6-2, 200 linebacker named (David) Greenspan, who is back from last year. They have a tough defense and they're very good on both sides of the ball. We just have to try to get better every week. It was amazing how well we played the first game compared to the second." Meaney said losing starting deep-threat wide receiver Zach Konstanzer for 6-8 weeks due to a broken clavicle leaves a void and someone else must step up. But running the ball better is the first priority. The Hawks' ground game was held to negative yards last week by CL South. The offensive linemen worked this week on getting out of their stances quickly and maintaining their blocks. "The biggest thing about last week is you have to learn from your mistakes," Meaney said. "We just have to cut down on mistakes, get some first downs and get the defense off the field." Waubonsie Valley won in the final seconds last week when senior quarterback Kenny Clay (13-22, 155 yards, 2 ints.) hit 6-foot-3 senior wide receiver Eric Theilacker in the end zone for the winning score.

Streamwood (1-1) at St. Charles East (0-2)

When today at 7:30 p.m. at Norris Stadium

Last year St. Charles East 49, Streamwood 6

Last week Streamwood 28, Dundee-Crown 27; Naperville North 28, St. Charles East 7

Outlook The Sabres enter the Upstate Eight Conference opener with confidence after pulling out a fourth-quarter victory at Dundee-Crown last week. Senior Wayne Holloway rushed for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the tying score in the waning seconds. Playmaker Derrick King rushed for 88 yards and 2 short touchdowns on 16 carries. The Sabres rushed for 238 yards overall. "It was one of those games you need to build a little confidence and some positive belief so you know the things you're doing are worthwhile," Streamwood coach Cal Cummins said of the victory. "I felt these first couple of weeks our general approach to the whole game - our focus, our intensity level, our ability to face adversity - was better than in the past. I didn't see heads down in the first two games. The kids really felt they could finish last week. There wasn't a doubt on the sideline that we were going to do what we needed to do to get that win. That was something that hasn't been the case since I've been here." Streamwood hopes to translate its positive momentum into a winning streak against the winless Saints, who have played good competition. St. Charles East has been outscored 41-13 by Geneva and Naperville North. The Saints boast a big offensive line that includes four players tipping the scales at 300 pounds or better.

Elgin (0-2) at Crystal Lake Central (1-1)

When Today at 7:15 p.m.

Last year did not play

Last week Crystal Lake Central 35, Prairie Ridge 14; West Aurora 28, Elgin 6

Outlook The Maroons look to break through for their first victory in a nonconference test against the Tigers, a team that reached the Class 6A playoffs a year ago. Elgin must find a way to generate more offense. Last week West Aurora held the Maroons to 6 points and 154 total yards. "You've got to put some points on the board, obviously," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "At least I thought against West Aurora we were able to get some mini-drives going between the thirties, which we hadn't done before. Now it's a matter of sustaining and finishing drives. As much as we try to rotate people, our defense was on the field too much the first two weeks. We have to get them some rest, which I thought was part of the problem in the fourth quarter." Sophomore lineman Travon Hall has been brought up to the varsity and will join the rotation immediately. CL Central and its wing-T offense was wiped out 40-0 by Cary-Grove in the season opener but rebounded for an impressive victory against District 155 rival Prairie Ridge last week. Central rusher Gage Harrah leads his team with 169 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries. "In two games they've looked like two different clubs," Bierman said. "They have a good offense. We have to stay responsible with our assignments. I equate it to an option team: they have a sweep, a trap and a counter so you have to make sure everybody does what they're supposed to do. It's assignment football and we have to make sure we're fundamentally sound and make tackles. (Harrah) is a good-sized kid. You better wrap him up and not just hit him."

Grayslake Central (1-1) at Crystal Lake South (2-0)

When today at 7:15 p.m. at Ken Bruhn Field

Last year Did not play

Last week Crystal Lake South 40, Bartlett 0; Grayslake Central 27, Woodstock North 0

Outlook Don't expect CL South to act satisfied following its 40-0 dismantling of Bartlett last week. The team's senior leaders won't allow it. "We were worried about their ability to focus on what we need to do but they're doing a good job," Gators coach Jim Stuglis said. "I'm really impressed with the leadership on this team. The seniors have everyone together. You wish you could bottle up whatever happened last Friday night and save it for when you need it. Games like that don't happen all the time. At this point we have to make sure we get better and not worry about who we're playing against. This week has been pretty good, thankfully." The CL South defense looked dominant against Bartlett. Linemen Sam McCole (7 tackles), Fahn Cooper and Brett Barchard jammed the offensive line and linebacker J.D. Barchard closed in. Offensively, the Gators controlled the clock with 235 yards rushing, led by back Bolek Mikulec's 51 yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Drew Ormseth has completed 12-of-22 for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns this season without an interception. This week the Gators face a Rams offense that put 27 first-half points on the board against Woodstock North in Week 2. Grayslake Central quarterback Mike Gentile rushed for a 10-yard touchdown and threw for a 40-yard score. "They look like they can do some stuff on offense and they're defense is doing some good things, so we have to remember our assignments and go at it hard," Stuglis said. Fullback/linebacker Kameron Scott returned against Bartlett in limited action last week and will be eased into the lineup more as he regains his timing, Stuglis said.

Prairie Ridge (1-1) at Jacobs (1-1)

When today at 7:15 p.m. at Jacobs Athletic Field

Last meeting 2007 Prairie Ridge 35, Jacobs 14

Last week Johnsburg 42, Jacobs 28; Crystal Lake Central 35, Prairie Ridge 14

Outlook The Golden Eagles will have to be on guard against the Wolves' triple option offense. Though PR doesn't possess a game-changing talent like Johnsburg's C.J. Fiedorowicz, the Wolves are capable of big plays, led by quarterback Jon Williams and running backs Kevin Deering (170 yards), Bob Maxey (157) and Justin Henderson (141). "They have some explosive players," Jacobs coach Dean Schlueter said. "Their quarterback is pretty good and Henderson is pretty good. Defensively, they have proven they can stop people. They're a very good football team, well coached, and they'll be ready for us." Jacobs' option offense has been performing well, led by the running of senior Ben Albano (42 carries, 187 yards, 2 TDs). However, some potential scoring opportunities last week were short-circuited by 8 penalties for 80 yards. "We had some opportunities in the first half where we had short fields down in the red zone and came away with no points," Schlueter said. "We've had a ton of penalties that took us out of drives. We can't expect to make those kinds of mistakes and expect to beat good football teams. There are things we can get better at and need to, so we're focusing on eliminating those kinds of mistakes." Free safety Alec Starr has and interception in each of the Golden Eagles' first two contests.

Cary-Grove (2-0) at Woodstock (1-1)

When today at 7:15 p.m. at Larry Dale Field

Last year Cary-Grove 14, Woodstock 0

Last week Cary-Grove 47, Marian Central 0; Woodstock 13, Grayslake North 3

Outlook What do you tell your team when they've outscored their opponents 87-0 in two games? Plenty, according to Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay. "We have things to work on, everyone does," Kay said. " Once you get complacent..." Pass blocking and extra-point kicks are two categories that need work, he said. The second leg of Cary-Grove's three-week tour of Woodstock-area high schools continues with a game against the Blue Streaks, who played the Trojans tough in the regular season last year. Woodstock quarterback Logan Kunzie leads the shotgun offensive attack. He has completed 28-of-59 attempts for 454 yards 2 touchdowns. Receiver Mike Kremske has 11 receptions for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Mike Liedtke's 39-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of last week's victory broke open a 6-3 game. Cary-Grove running back Alex Hembrey is running wild behind a talented offensive line. The senior has rushed for 250 yards and 5 touchdowns on 22 carries. Kay was pleased last week by the passing of senior quarterback Tyler Krebs, who has completed 5-of-11 attempts this season for 104 yards and a touchdown without an interception. In fact, the Trojans have not turned the ball over in their first two games. "Our ability to put pressure on the passer is always a key against a team that likes to throw the ball," Kay said. "You have to disrupt their routes. It'll come down to the same things it always comes down to: you have to block, tackle and protect the football." Kay credited the play of two-way lineman Matt Lieborth and defensive linemen Matt Corcoran, Jack McMullen and Ryan Barker, who switched this season from defensive back to defensive end.

Woodstock North (0-2) at Huntley (2-0)

When today at 7:15 p.m. at Harmony Road Campus

Last first meeting

Last week Huntley 17, Kaneland 14; Grayslake Central 27, Woodstock North 0

Outlook The Red Raiders are off to the hot start they wanted and have a chance to go 3-0 for the second straight season with a victory in this Fox Valley Conference crossover game. Voters statewide have taken notice of Huntley's second straight good start: they cracked the Class 7A poll by the Associated Press this week at No. 10. However, no one on Harmony Rd. is patting himself on the back just yet. "We've got work to do everywhere, there's no question about that," Huntley coach Steve Graves said. "We're not kidding ourselves about the competition we've played versus the competition we have yet to come. For us to draw any conclusions... we've won two ballgames and we're very happy with that. That tells us we're a respectable team but you can't draw any conclusions considering the type of competition we're going to play in this conference." Junior quarterback Tim Lycos, who Graves credited for "using his feet well to get receivers open," completed 11-of-17 attempts for 110 yards without an interception and rushed for 79 yards and another score. The Huntley defense has faced two spread offenses the last two weeks but will see a more traditional wing-T offense used by Woodstock North, a first-year program. "We are really grateful to face a wing -T team right now," Graves said. "We did not want to see another passing team where we'd have to pressure the quarterback all the time. One bad thing about facing a passing team is that in order to stop it you do some things that aren't very sound down the road, things that would in fact hurt you against a good running team. For us this is a good week to get back to playing solid, fundamental football." Senior Brett Kleckner (100 yards) led a Huntley rushing attack that amassed 243 yards last week.

Dundee-Crown (1-1) at Johnsburg (2-0)

When today at 7:15 p.m.

Last first meeting

Last week Streamwood 28, Dundee-Crown 27; Johnsburg 42, Jacobs 28

Outlook Despite the imminent threat posed by Johnsburg's Illinois-bound tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, Dundee-Crown practices this week centered on stopping the run. Last week the Chargers allowed 234 yards rushing in the loss to Streamwood, a problem that has to be fixed if D-C is to compete against Johnsburg and senior running back Justin Peete. He rushed 28 times for 108 yards and 4 touchdowns last week against Jacobs. "Defensively, we'd better start stopping the run because anyone who saw (the Streamwood) game will just line up and run right at us until we stop them," Chargers coach Mike Davis said. "At the high school level if you can't stop the run, you're in trouble. That's what makes Johnsburg so good. It's not like they just have Fiedorowicz. They have a very good quarterback, a very good running back, their linemen are good. They're all-around a very good team." Fiedorowicz is a whole other kind of threat. He caught 5 balls - 2 of them for touchdowns - for 163 yards last week. He is also a difference-maker at defensive end. "We just have to try to hang with him," Davis said. "He plays both sides of the ball and he's dominant on both sides of the ball. You try to help out guys who are going to be responsible for blocking him and try to make sure guys are in the right position. He's going to get the ball and he's going to make catches. He's just that good. We need to have guys around him to make sure a 15-yard catch stays a 15-yard catch instead of it turning into a 40-yard catch." Junior quarterback Tanner Kotlan completed 17-of-29 attempts for 286 yards without an interception against Streamwood.

Byron (0-2) at Burlington Central (0-2)

When today at 7 p.m. at Rocket Hill

Last year Byron 17, Burlington Central 9

Last week Sycamore 40, Burlington Central 9; Rock Island Alleman 17, Byron 12

Outlook The Rockets aim to avoid a three-game losing streak to start the season with a win tonight on Rocket Hill. To do so, the Central offense needs a breakout performance. The Rockets were held to 114 yards rushing and 18 yards passing last week by Sycamore. Tre Llanes led the team with 40 yards on 9 carries. Turnovers have been a problem that must be solved. Last week quarterback Tim Maroder completed 5-of-12 passes for 18 yards but was intercepted 3 times. Kevin Kellish was Maroder's favorite target with 3 receptions for 16 yards. The Rockets trailed 27-0 at halftime. Byron committed 4 turnovers in a 14-7 Week 1 loss to Evansville (Wis.).

Oregon (0-2) at Hampshire (0-2)

When today at 7 p.m. at Hampshire Athletic Field

Last year Oregon 11, Hampshire 8

Last week Winnebago 10, Hampshire 0; Sherrard 33, Oregon 7

Outlook There's no mystery to playing Oregon. "Oregon does what they do: they'll run the ball at you and run the ball at you in their double-tight (formation)," Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh said. "It's nothing fancy. They'll just try to wear you down. They're very physical. Defensively, they are physical and quick. It's nothing too tricky. They challenge you physically and see if you're going to hold up." Few teams could hold up against the Hawks last year. They went 12-1 before losing to 27-23 to Illini West in a Class 4A state semifinal. Hampshire improved defensively last week, holding Winnebago to 287 yards and only 10 points. The defense bent but rarely broke, though it was on the field for all but 5 plays in the third quarter. The offense has shown signs of life but must begin producing points if the Whip-Purs are to gain their first victory. The offense gained 94 total yards last week. "It may not appear this way, but we did move the ball a little bit in the first half," Cavanaugh said. "We got off to the slow start last year and there's nothing saying we can't bounce back this year too. We need to just step up and get better. We need to meet (Oregon's) physical approach to the game."

St. Edward (2-0) at Immaculate Conception (1-1)

When Saturday at 1 p.m.

Last year Immaculate Conception 22, St. Edward 0

Last week St. Edward 57, Rockford Lutheran 7; Immaculate Conception 34, Walther Lutheran 14

Outlook Considered two of the favorites to win the Gold Division, either the Green Wave or the Knights will get a leg up on a title with a win in this Suburban Christian Conference opener. St. Edward has outscored its first two opponents 89-13. IC lost 31-30 in Week 1 to Bishop Ready of Columbus, Ohio, but the Knights bounced back last week with a solid win against Walther Lutheran. However, they lost two-way stalwart Carlos Rodriquez early in the third quarter to a knee injury suffered during an interception return. Rodriguez ran for 1,502 yards and 19 TDs and made 84 tackles last year for the Class 2A state champions. "He's a good kid, a nice kid and you definitely don't want to see something like that happen," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said of Rodriquez. "You hate to see it, but I'm sure they'll put a formidable running back behind that 300-pound line and be ready to go. They're 280 (pounds) on average with two guys over three hundred. They're huge, there's no other way to put it. They'll definitely have us out-sized but we have some good players, kids who have been playing hard and getting the job done. The first couple of weeks we had to prepare for SCC games, and we expect this to be more physical than the games we've played so far." IC quarterback Will Cronin ran for 2 touchdowns last week and threw for another. St. Edward rushed for 328 yards last week, led by running back David Hoebbel (12 caries, 138 yards, 3 TDs) and fullback Jordan Torres (4-109-2).