Scouting: Batavia @ Kaneland

Batavia (1-3, 0-2) at Kaneland (3-1, 2-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today

Last year Batavia 31, Kaneland 21.

Last week Rochelle 30, Batavia 6; Kaneland 21, Sycamore 14.

Outlook Looking back to the days of the Suburban Prairie Conference, it's perhaps surprising Batavia has gone only 1-4 in recent history against Kaneland. Given the finesse the Bulldogs will see this week compared to the force they faced last week in Rochelle, Batavia may stack up better against the Knights - provided it can cover some receivers and can get a pass rush on outstanding quarterback Joe Camiliere. The limber-armed junior had another stellar outing last week, completing 18 of 22 passes for 294 yards and all 3 of the Knights' touchdowns, and adding 65 yards rushing. "He did a great job of getting the ball out on time," said Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly, whose club joins Geneva as the Western Sun Conference's sole 2-0 squads. "He's getting better with his pre-snap reads. He really has a lot of confidence and along with that, our receivers got open." Sure-handed receiver Ryley Bailey got bounced around a bit, but in Kaneland's spread set the more the merrier. Opportunities remained for receiver Blake Serpa and sophomore Quinn Buschbacher, who in his breakout caught 3 passes for 115 yards with touchdown grabs of 32 and 68 yards - and preserved the win over Sycamore with a recovery of a Knights fumble. Defensive tackles Eric Dratnol and Jimmy Boyle were aggressive against Sycamore's run, and they also join Ben Kovalick, Brett Ketza and Arturo Martinez in the Knights' most important job on the field - protecting Camiliere. Charged with supplying that heat for Batavia - which got the good news that linebacker-tailback Pete Koczmara (knee), injured Week 2 at West Chicago, will return for homecoming next week - are defensive linemen Brian Wilson, Alec Lyons and Cole Gardner. Bulldogs coach Mike Gaspari feels good about pass coverage, an area of emphasis all last summer. Middle linebacker Mike Greco and defensive backs Ben Fornek, Sam Burnoski, Sam Shump and Jack Hegarty, who got a game ball for his play last week, have been sharp and will need to be again. Batavia has been outgained on the ground 713 yards to 597, but the margin is closer through the air, 371-331. Along with decent yards-per-carry from Emund Kabba and Danny Seiton, who will need to move the chains to keep Camiliere on the sidelines, last week's main highlight was Scott Poulos' 52-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Noel Gaspari. It was Batavia's longest play from scrimmage this season. "It was a nice play, and a play I think we can build on," said Noel's father, Coach Gaspari.

Next weekYorkville (2-2, 1-1) at Batavia