Scouting Wheaton Academy @ Immaculate Conception

Suburban Christian Conference Gold

Wheaton Academy (4-2, 2-1) at Immaculate Conception (2-4, 1-2)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today.

Last year Did not play.

Last week Wheaton Academy 34, Chicago Christian 13; Aurora Christian 26, Immaculate Conception 20 (OT).

Outlook: "We're billing the game as, if we win we're in the playoffs and we knock Immaculate Conception out, and what a better way than to knock out last year's (Class 2A) state champion," said Wheaton Academy coach Ben Wilson. This should be tougher, literally, than last week's homecoming win featuring Anthony Ritchie's 2 touchdown catches and 5 interceptions, including linebacker-quarterback Brian Pell's 71-yard return for touchdown. Warriors defensive linemen Jake Heidorn, Clay Berg, Nate Jones and Jon Fink hope to stymie IC's option, but that's a tough road. Behind Will Cronin and Conor Hendricks - who since replacing injured Carlos Rodriguez has 366 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns - the Knights held the ball 17 straight minutes in the second half against Aurora Christian. Among several mistakes Knights coach Mike Alberts said ruined his team's chances, a would-be winning extra-point kick was brought back by penalty and the next one blocked. Linebackers Jose Godinez, Casey Lathrope and Conner McDannel aim to wrap people up. "This is basically our first playoff game," Alberts said. "From here on in it's one and done."

Next Montini vs. Wheaton Academy at Wheaton College; Aurora Central at Immaculate Conception.