Scouting: Chicago Christian @ St. Edward
Chicago Christian (1-2, 0-1) at St. Edward (3-0, 1-0)
When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Greg True Field
Last: First meeting
Last week: St. Edward 46, Immaculate Conception 38; Aurora Christian 20, Chicago Christian 15
Outlook: St. Edward put itself in an enviable position in the Suburban Christian Conference's Gold Division race by knocking off defending Class 2A champion Immaculate Conception in Elmhurst last week. But now is no time to let up, according to coach Mike Rolando, whose team is on the cusp of being ranked in Class 4A for the first time in his five-year tenure (the Green Wave received 9 votes). "I don't think anyone feels like we're on top of the world yet," Rolando said. "We've been beating it into their heads that our goal is to get 6 wins to be able to play in Week 10. We're not there yet. We're only halfway to our goal. We can't get too comfortable. I think the kids have their heads on pretty straight and just want to get that fourth win to get us that much closer." St. Edward returns home for a test against Chicago Christian, one of four schools the former Suburban Catholic Conference absorbed this year. Last week the Knights put a scare into Aurora Christian, which reached the Class 4A title game in Champaign last year. They led 15-14 until Aurora Christian took the lead for good with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter on a 61-yard touchdown pass. Opponents have had trouble slowing the Green Wave offense, which is led by the offensive line of tackles Evan Finnane, Kevin Lawson and Cesar Posadas, guards Derek Porto and Shane Finnane, center Zach Trisilla and tight end Zack Von Ahnen. That unit has paved the way for over 1,000 yards rushing split between four ball carriers and nearly 500 yards passing by quarterback Ben Lehman (28 of 51, 451 yards, 5 TDs, 3 Ints.). Lehman has only been sacked once in three games, on a 2-point conversion attempt. "That's where our money is made," Rolando said of the O-line. "It doesn't matter who we give the ball to because these guys are opening up holes and pushing people down the field."