Scouting West Chicago at Batavia

West Chicago (1-0) at Batavia (0-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Batavia 27, West Chicago 6.

Last week: West Chicago 7, Plainfield North 6 (2 OT); Marmion 14, Batavia 7.

Outlook: This nonconference rivalry finds West Chicago coming off its first victory since Week 8 of the 2008 season, and win No. 1 for Wildcats coach Paul Reinke after a winless 2009. The victory came down to Plainfield North's missed extra point and West Chicago kicker Ivan Kovanda's conversion following Kyle Molskow's 5-yard touchdown run. West Chicago's Brad Wilson ran for 98 yards and quarterback Josh Stein ran for 69 yards and threw for 56. "Their quarterback is more involved in the running game, so that adds a new dimension," said Batavia coach Mike Gaspari, whose Bulldogs battled a very good Marmion team. Despite allowing a 73-yard touchdown drive capped with 1:27 left - as defensive linemen Cole Gardner and Alec Lyon were sidelined with leg cramps - Batavia looks much improved. Junior quarterback Noel Gaspari completed 13 of 24 passes for 201 yards and hit eight different receivers including Joe Sortino for a 25-yard touchdown grab. The Bulldogs followed Marmion's winning drive with a 60-yard march before Marmion came up with a tipped-ball interception in the end zone. The offensive line generally protected Gaspari, Jon Gray and Ben Allison both picked off passes and, for better or worse, Allison excelled in the punting game, averaging 39 yards on 7 punts. The downside was negligible impact from a ground game that earned just 47 yards, which is Batavia's stress this week. "They'll be a little quicker but not nearly as big (as Marmion), so hopefully that'll be to our advantage," Coach Gaspari said. "We're going to have to increase our speed level and run it a little more effectively."

Next week: West Chicago at Wheaton North (1-0), Sept. 10; Larkin (1-0) at Batavia, Sept. 10.