The Best of the Rest in DuPage County
Addison Trail at Wheaton North
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: This is the last meeting between these longtime opening opponents. Injury kept Addison Trail QB Anthony Catanese out of last year's loss, but he's back. The Falcons aim to establish the run but don't want to lean too heavily on QB Reece Butler.
Bolingbrook at Downers Grove South
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: These teams split two games last season, with Downers South claiming the important win in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs. A Mustangs defense with only three returning starters, headed by safety Bryan Ruggiero, jumps into the fire.
Conant at Lake Park
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: The hosts beat Conant 34-20 last year to kick-start their 8-3 record. Back LaCurt Evans will attempt to attain at least a portion of the Lancers' 264 yards rushing in that game behind an offensive line that has three players listed at over 275 pounds.
Immaculate Conception at Ridgewood
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: IC supplants graduated veteran quarterback Will Cronin with senior signalcaller Cody Kotlow. Against this new nonconference foe Kotlow should provide a diet of option handoffs to returning backs Conor Hendricks, Matt Mesnard, Jose Godinez.
Leyden at Fenton
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Leyden graduated 18 starters while Fenton returns 14 players with significant experience. Lineman Freddie Joyner is one of the many key two-way players for the Bison, who will try to rotate through as many players as possible on the defensive line.
Lisle at Plano
Game time: 7:15 p.m. today.
The quick hit: See Lisle's Anthony (Ventrella) run and maybe even pass as he makes his debut as a starting quarterback in this Interstate Eight crossover. Pat Heatherly and Co. aim to play tighter defense after Plano ran for 353 yards in its 30-14 win in 2009.
Lockport at Downers Grove North
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: The Trojans, with 15 returning starters, aim to turn around last year's 49-14 loss to the Porters. While Downers North may look to expand its passing game, running back Freddy Palma and the ground attack remains the offensive bread and butter.
Oak Park at Glenbard North
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Glenbard North RB Evin Natick returns 1,256 yards and 15 touchdowns while Phil Jackson brings back 407 yards and 7 TDs. With third-year lineman Paul Wisniewski also back, there's no doubt the Panthers' focus will be on pounding the ground game.
Oswego East vs. Benet
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today at Benedictine University
The quick hit: First-year Benet coach Pat New inherits a team with six returning starters led by 6-foot-7, 245-pound tackle Pat Flavin, one of the state's top recruits. Oswego East went winless last season and rides 12-game losing streak dating back to 2008.
Plainfield East at Metea Valley
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Metea opens its turf to varsity football in the new program's big-time debut. Plainfield East is one year removed from a 1-8 varsity debut; Ted Monken's Mustangs will test its improvement with speedsters Raysean Parker and Tre'Sean Mackey.
Plainfield North at West Chicago
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Plainfield North turned out to be the first of six playoff opponents the Wildcats faced last season. West Chicago's focus rests on a defense that returns seven starters led by linebacker Chris Simanonis, safety Matt Zajac and lineman Ed Carlos.
Prospect at York
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Last year's opener was forgettable for the Dukes. They committed double-digit penalties and fell behind 20-0 before falling 41-27. Eight returning offensive starters, starting with RB Ryan Kent and four linemen, should bring improvement.
Romeoville vs. Hinsdale South
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Hinsdale Central
The quick hit: Because the Hornets' new turf field won't be ready until October, they'll be forced to play their home games at Hinsdale Central. Only six starters return for Hinsdale South, which must avoid the 0-5 start it endured last season.
St. Francis at Riverside-Brookfield
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: How's St. Francis' pass defense? That may soon be discovered. It's a step up from the Spartans' former Week 1 foe Yorkville, a meeting of crafty coaches Greg Purnell of the Spartans and R-B's Otto Zeman, who in recent seasons has thrown a ton.
Westminster Christian (Mo.) at Wheaton Academy
Game time: 7 p.m. today, Wheaton College.
The quick hit: Westminster is a like-minded institution with whom the Warriors want to forge a relationship. They'll start by having top defenders like Jake Heidorn, Sam Cote, Kai Libby and Luke Thorson chase this St. Louis-area playoff team all over the field.
Willowbrook at Glenbard East
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Willowbrook's unfinished field pushed this game to Lombard. The Warriors' run game should be improved with returning backs Jabril Jones and James Bolden. Same holds true for the Rams and new QB Steve Kinney, a running back last year.