Scouting: DuPage Co. football

Glenbard East (2-1, 0-1) at West Chicago (0-3, 0-1)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook The Rams played WW South tough until losing quarterback Jack Merrithey to injury in the second half. They'll look to work the ground game against the Wildcats, whose own ground game was led by Brad Wilson's 75 yards and a touchdown.

Glenbard North (3-0, 1-0) at Wheaton North (2-1, 1-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook Mike Carev's return to the lineup gave the Panthers a big-play boost to go along with their pounding ground game led by Evin Natick. Wheaton North comes in with nagging injuries to quarterback Taylor Graham, running back Ivan Tamba and others.

West Aurora (2-1, 0-1) at Naperville North (2-1, 0-1)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook Banged up Naperville North still boasts the linebacker trio of Nick Lifka, Jack Krejci and Arnas Gintautas, whose job will be to slow down West Aurora's playmaking tandem of running back Leon Spears and wide receiver Aviance King.

Carmel (2-1, 1-0) at Benet (2-1, 1-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today at Lisle's Benedictine University

Outlook Big game for Benet running back E.J. Howe in last week's win over St. Joe's. The offense is dangerous with quarterback Luke Terna's efficient passing. Running back Jordan Kos and quarterback Brian Serio are Benet's main defensive assignments.

Lisle (1-2, 0-0) at Seneca (0-3, 0-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook Building off a 27-20 win over Peotone is the key for the Lions, who got 9 tackles, 2 interceptions and 2 touchdowns from safety-receiver Ryan Liss. Anthony Ventrella, Peter Ferguson return from injury to play in this Interstate Eight Small opener.

Riverside-Brookfield (1-2, 0-0) at Fenton (1-2, 0-0)

Game time 7 p.m. today.

Outlook The A-11 offense was taken away from R-B, but you'll still see goofy formations with pass-ineligble linemen split out. Fenton had by far its best game last week led by quarterback Eric Justiniano, running back Tyrell McGee and 277 rushing yards.

Immaculate Conception (1-2, 0-1) at Guerin (2-1, 0-1)

Game time 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook Quarterback Will Cronin's 419 yards passing and 5 touchdowns, part of a 31-point rally in a 46-38 loss to St. Edward, nearly overshadowed a 32-7 deficit. Nearly. Line play and a ground game will be coach Mike Alberts' focus in the SCC Gold game.

Bartlett (1-2, 0-1) at Neuqua Valley (0-3, 0-1)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook Finishing strong is the key for the Wildcats. Quarterback Joey Ippolito averages 139 yards rushing, 206 passing. Trent Snyder chipped in 117 yards rushing last week. But as in that 28-26 loss to South Elgin, Neuqua Valley has let leads slip away.

Streamwood (1-2, 0-1) at Lake Park (2-1, 1-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook Lake Park backs Artie Monaco, Clay Cooper and Jake McNamara head an offense averaging 210 yards rushing. Streamwood will also run, but Lancer Michael Kreiser (2 interceptions in a 27-18 rally over Larkin) hopes the "D" forces the pass.

Morton (1-2, 0-1) at Addison Trail (1-2, 1-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook Morton surrendered some awfully long drives in last week's loss to Willowbrook. That's the blueprint to expect from Addison Trail after rushing for 250 yards last week, bolstered by the return of sophomore quarterback Anthony Catanese.

Hinsdale South (0-3, 0-1) at Leyden (1-2, 0-1)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook The Hornets' 13-0 lead looked promising last week until Addison Trail rallied for a 14-13 win. While they'd love to pound the ground game, the Hornets may turn to more trick plays like last week's reverse pass for a score by receiver Garrett Vanhal.

Downers North (1-2) at Downers South (1-2)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook At times this may look more like a sophomore game with six on North's roster and seven on South's. Mustangs sophomore running back Josh Williams missed last week's game with an ankle injury. He's one of several banged-up starters.

Proviso East (0-3, 0-0) at Willowbrook (1-2, 1-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook The year's first action by running back Jibril Jones and others sparked Willowbrook to last week's win over Morton. Jones, Steven Frobel and Dan McLean accounted for most of the 290 rush yards. Willowbrook didn't throw a second-half pass.

York (2-1, 1-0) at Proviso West (3-0, 0-0)

Game time 7 p.m. today.

Outlook The Dukes get a look at receiver Kyle Prater, verbally committed to USC. Controlling the ball with running back Mike DeBernardis and quarterback Sam Cleary will keep a potent offense off the field. The Panthers are 3-0 against 1-8 teams.

Glenbard West (3-0, 1-0) at Oak Park (1-2, 0-1)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook Emerging from a rugged three-week stretch, the Hilltoppers must stay focused against a dangerous Oak Park team. Of all the great performances in last week's win over Hinsdale Central, Nick Burrello's 130 total yards and 2 TDs stood out.

Lyons Twp. (3-0, 1-0) at Hinsdale Central (1-2, 0-1)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Outlook The Lions come to Hinsdale with a new coach and new spread offense. Looking big picture, the Red Devils won't worry about a 1-2 start. That being said, they don't want a third loss. The John Whitelaw-Alex Kirk combo has 7 TDs and counting.