Scouting Immaculate Conception at St. Edward

Immaculate Conception (2-0, 0-0) at St. Edward (2-0, 0-0)

Suburban Christian Gold

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.

Last week: Immaculate Conception 28, Walther Lutheran 21; St. Edward 49, Rockford Lutheran 0.

Last year: St. Edward 46, Immaculate Conception 38.

Outlook: Visiting Immaculate Conception will try to upend the Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division favorite. In 2009 St. Edward led 32-7, then it got interesting. Walther Lutheran led IC 21-0 after a quarter before Jose Godinez followed big Ron Rivera for 172 yards, 3 touchdowns and QB Cody Kotlow added another 87 yards and a score. "Raised our energy level," coach Mike Alberts said. They'll need more of that against Green Wave quarterback Ben Lehman.

St. Edward is ranked No. 10 in Class 4A; IC is ranked No. 7 in Class 3A. The winner of this clash gains the inside track to a division title. "There's no question this is a huge game to see where we stand," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. The Green Wave snapped a five-year losing streak against the Knights last season with a victory in Elmhurst. Last week, IC overcame a 21-0 second-quarter deficit against visiting Walther Lutheran with 28 unanswered points. Senior running back Jose Godinez ran for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns and senior quarterback Cody Kotlow carried 20 times for 89 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown run. The Green Wave will try to contain the Knights' veer option. "We have to play disciplined assignment football on the defensive side," Rolando said. "Their triple option, split-back veer option attack is very difficult to stop. You might stop it nine or 10 times in a row, and then they'll bust one for 60 yards. They're methodical about running it. We can't assume it will be a pass on 3rd-and-long. We have to take away their strength and make them do things they're not comfortable doing." St. Edward attacks on the ground with senior Jon Keokanlaya (14-124, 2 TD), sophomore Maurice Jackson (21-132, 2 TD) and freshman DeVonte Elam (12-43, 2 TD). Senior quarterback Ben Lehman has completed 17-of-35 attempts for 290 yards and 3 TD and has been intercepted three times. Senior Sam Pozezinski has 6 receptions for 128 yards and 2 TD.

Next week: Guerin at Immaculate Conception; St. Edward at Chicago Christian.