Plenty left to decide in season's final two weeks
As the high school football regular season winds down, many of our local teams will be ratcheting up the enthusiasm level with the state playoffs approaching.
But first things first.
With just two weeks of the regular season left, six area squads are still battling for conference championships.
While Geneva and St. Charles North have already sealed postseason berths with 6 victories apiece, they still need a little help - plus 2 more wins - to capture conference titles.
On the other hand, Aurora Christian and Marmion have clinched no less than a share of their respective conference crowns but would also like to finish as outright conference champs - something they both can do with one more conference win.
Meanwhile, Kaneland and St. Charles East have yet to earn automatic playoff berths (although both teams would likely qualify based on playoff points even with 5-4 records) but will clinch at least a share of the title in their respective conferences by winning out.
Here's a closer look at the half-dozen teams:
Aurora Christian
(5-2, 4-0)
Remaining games: vs. St. Francis Oct. 16, at Guerin Oct. 24.
Outlook: While moving up in class since joining the Suburban Christian Conference Gold, Aurora Christian has thrived with the added competition.
Despite graduating 15 starters, including record-setting quarterback Jordan Roberts, from last year's team that played for the Class 4A state title in Champaign, coach Don Beebe's Eagles have proven that they can win the close games this season.
Since dropping a heartbreaking, 37-36 Week 2 loss to Mendota, 3 of the Eagles' last 5 games have been decided by 6 points or less - and they've won all of them. Aurora Christian, which will be making its eighth straight playoff appearance Oct. 30 or 31, will face another stiff test Friday night when it plays host to defending Class 5A state champion St. Francis (5-2, 1-2).
Geneva (6-1, 4-1)
Remaining games: at Kaneland Oct. 16, at Batavia Oct. 23.
Outlook: While the Vikings' 24-game regular season winning streak came to a mud-caked halt with last weekend's 21-14 homefield loss to Rochelle, they'll get the chance to begin another streak Friday night in Maple Park against Kaneland.
The loss to the Hubs further muddled the race for the final Western Sun Conference crown. It left the Vikings tied with Glenbard South and Kaneland (1 loss apiece), while Rochelle and Sycamore are right behind (2 losses each).
Led by versatile Michael Santacaterina and Connor Quinn, the Vikings will be making their sixth consecutive postseason appearance in a couple weeks. For now, they're more interested in beating Kaneland for the sixth straight time - and then knocking off Batavia.
Kaneland (6-2, 4-1)
Remaining games: vs. Geneva Oct. 16, at Yorkville Oct. 23.
Outlook: Responding from a 21-7, Week 6 loss to Glenbard South, Kaneland displayed a balanced offensive attack during last Saturday's 35-6 win over DeKalb.
Junior QB Joe Camiliere completed 14-of-21 passes for 267 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for another against the Barbs. Camiliere has plenty of weapons to choose from, including WRs Ryley Bailey and Taylor Andrews.
Shooting for their 14th playoff appearance in 15 years, the Knights will derail Geneva's conference title hopes if they can knock off the Vikings on Friday night. But Kaneland's last victory over Geneva was in 2003 (35-14).
Marmion (6-1, 3-0)
Remaining games: at Chicago Christian Oct. 16, vs. Montini Oct. 23.
Outlook: Enjoying its best start since 1998, Marmion will clinch the inaugural Suburban Christian Conference Blue title by beating Montini in Week 9. The Cadets last won a conference crown 11 years ago when they captured the Suburban Catholic Conference with a 7-0 mark.
Coach Dan Thorpe's Cadets have put points on the board, evidenced by their 40-point average the last 4 weeks, and seemingly haven't missed a beat since starting QB Will Sterne suffered a knee injury in Week 4.
Bobby Peters has filled in admirably at QB, supported by junior RB/LB T.J. Lally, who tallied 4 TDs last week against Lincoln-Way West.
St. Charles East
(5-2, 5-0)
Remaining games: vs. Neuqua Valley Oct. 16, vs. St. Charles North Oct. 23.
Outlook: The Saints certainly are a resilient bunch, evidenced by their current 5-game winning streak after back-to-back losses to open the season.
They also are road warriors, having completed a 4-0 road trip with last Friday's 7-3 victory over Bartlett.
"We've come together more as a team the last four weeks with all these bus trips and team meals," said senior safety Bryce Barry. "And we've won games in difficult atmospheres - like at Waubonsie Valley."
St. Charles East is back at Norris Stadium Friday night to celebrate its homecoming game against a Neuqua Valley team that handed the Saints a 49-42, quadruple-overtime defeat in 2008.
"We're so excited to be home again," said Barry. "It truly is like a homecoming for us."
Defensively, the Saints haven't allowed more than 14 points to an opponent since a 28-7, Week 2 loss to Naperville North.
"It all starts with coaching," said Barry. "Coach T (defensive coordinator Brian Teresinski) always puts together a great scheme and scouting report for our next game."
St. Charles North
(6-1, 4-1)
Remaining games: at South Elgin Oct. 16, at St. Charles East Oct. 23.
Outlook: North Stars coach Mark Gould realized the significance of last weekend's playoff-qualifying, 31-5 win over Neuqua Valley.
"This was big because five wins was not going to get us in," said Gould. "Now we're still in the conference (race) and trying to get a better seed in the playoffs."
The North Stars should be ready for the playoffs (8th straight year as a qualifier) after finishing with two strong conference foes.
"These next two games are big," said Gould. "We consider South Elgin as a rival and they're good this year, and then we finish with our cross-town rival (STC East). You want to play teams that traditionally are up there in the conference and get you ready for the playoffs."
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