Scouting Neuqua Valley @ St. Charles East
Neuqua Valley (2-5, 2-2) at St. Charles East (5-2, 5-0)
Game time 7:30 p.m. today
Last year Neuqua Valley 49, St. Charles East 42 (4 OT).
Last week St. Charles North 31, Neuqua Valley 5; St. Charles East 7, Bartlett 3.
Outlook "Sometimes you've just got to take the victory," St. Charles East coach Fields said of last week's win over Bartlett, not clinched until the waning seconds on Bryce Barry's fourth interception of the season. That has been Neuqua Valley's tune five times out of seven games in this Upstate Eight series since the Saints split with St. Charles North. (Including last season's 49-42 epic.) This is obviously not one of Neuqua's better teams, but while they're out of the playoffs and have allowed 178 points, 63 came in one game against Indiana power Cathedral, and the Wildcats are tough on the defensive line with nose tackle Christian Eble, defensive end Michael Ippolito and rotating ends Andrew Skowronski and Leif Munson. They certainly won't be mailing it in, and not just with the mindset of denting St. Charles East's UEC title hopes: "We've got an opportunity to be 4-2 in conference," stressed Neuqua coach Bryan Wells. As St. Charles North emphatically pointed out, containing Wildcats quarterback Joey Ippolito is the way to go. Michael's senior brother has run for 609 yards and 12 touchdowns, but finished with 8 yards on 11 carries last week. Seeking offensive options all season, Coach Wells may even use Jeff Samuel, a better passer, with Ippolito at receiver. Either way, Ippolito will be the focus of Saints defenders like Sam Leopardo, Phil Bucaro, Jess Striedl and Matt Payne - who had 2 sacks, a fumble recovery and 6 tackles against Bartlett. The focus overall will be offensive improvement after quarterback Nolan Possley gained 5 yards on 13 carries and Fields was saying stuff like, "that was an eye opener." Fields seeks stronger execution on the line, even with the big loss of center Chuck Ratajczak to a knee injury. For a second straight week the game-winning touchdown came on a Possley pass to tight end Striedl. The possible return of running back Cory Campbell (shoulder) could add another rushing option. Of course, allowing less than 12 points a game is always good. "I think it goes back to the offense," Field said. "We've got to execute much better than we did last week."
Next week Elgin (2-5, 2-2) at Neuqua Valley, Oct. 23; St. Charles North (6-1, 4-1) at St. Charles East, Oct. 23.