Scouting West Aurora @ Glenbard North

West Aurora (3-3, 1-3) at Glenbard North (6-0, 4-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today

Last year Glenbard North 26, West Aurora 0.

Last week West Aurora 20, West Chicago 7; Glenbard North 26, Glenbard East 6.

Outlook West Aurora snapped a three-game losing streak last week on the road, but returns to play one of the hardest-hitting teams in the DuPage Valley Conference. Maybe the hardest-hitting. "They pound you," Blackhawks coach Buck Drach said. "They're about as physical a team as I've ever seen. Every position." Led by linebackers John Pullia and Chris Wahrman and cornerback Brandon Salemi, Glenbard North - whose installation of an artificial surface actually benefits the speedy Blackhawks - pitched four straight shutouts from Weeks 2-5. In last week's win over Glenbard East the Rams scored on a fumble recovery, extending the Panthers' defensive whitewash to 22 quarters. Last week Phil Jackson - no, not that one - ran for 206 yards for the Panthers, their second back over 200 yards and fourth over 100, which demonstrates the line play West Aurora will face. "They're going to run right at you," Drach said. West Aurora running back Leon Spears actually did run through a couple of Wildcats last week, but as he displayed with another 90-yard outing, his main talent is skirting tacklers. Tight end David Hulett hopes to give him cushion on the edge, but the West Aurora line has been in flux lately, losing guard Cal Wagner last week. Senior defensive tackle Matt Lynn had 3 sacks on West Chicago last week, one of the defensive highlights. Definitely another was the play of strong safety Marcus Waller. In addition to scoring the Blackhawks' first touchdown on a 20-yard pass from Malcohm Wood, Waller blocked a punt and returned it 25 yards for another score. He added 19 tackles. Waller's and Lynn's efforts must be replicated this week, and then some. "It's going to be whatever we want to make of it," Drach said. "But a lot of people don't get to play undefeated teams in the seventh week. It's an opportunity for us. We've got to play flawless football."

Next Glenbard East (3-3, 1-3) at West Aurora, Oct. 16; Wheaton Warrenville South (5-1, 4-0) at Glenbard North, Oct. 16.