Scouting Montini at Aurora Central Catholic
Montini (2-2) at Aurora Central Catholic (2-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
Last year: Montini 41, Aurora Central 10.
Last week: Montini 28, St. Francis 14; Wheaton Academy 51, Aurora Central 20.
Outlook: This Suburban Christian Conference crossover is the first meeting between Montini coach Chris Andriano and his 2000 quarterback, Aurora Central coach Brian Casey. Casey has the greatest respect for his old program but that means little starting at 7:30 p.m. "I don't want to beat them any more or less than I wanted to beat Wheaton Academy last Friday night or Immaculate Conception a week from now," Casey said. Turnovers had a bearing on both teams' outcomes last week, though Montini survived. The Broncos' Matt Westerkamp returned from a Week 1 shoulder injury to throw 2 interceptions and muff two snaps, yet he still completed 17 of 23 passes for 218 yards and 2 touchdowns out of the spread offense. Montini still is trying to get a decent ground game from the likes of Dimitri Willis, but junior receiver Jordan Westerkamp (6-1, 185), Matt's cousin, is a sure all-stater who already has a scholarship offer from Illinois. ACC cornerback Patrick Sweet has passed tests on the perimeter before, but this guy is special. Sweet and Jimmy Canning also will be on the lookout for Broncos wideout Anthony Taylor in the middle, while Joey Borsellino gets swing passes and moves upfield. Tackling is the key for the Chargers, and on the other side of the ball they've got to hang on to it. Against Wheaton Academy the Chargers fumbled twice in their first five plays, digging themselves a 14-0 hole. The good news was that Marcus Jefferson broke a 61-yard touchdown run, and also that quarterback Stewart deWaard snapped off a couple play-action passes for touchdowns to Zach Tobin and Kent Brauweiler. Then all heck broke loose as Wheaton Academy scored 21 unanswered third-quarter points. ACC has got to get some points on the board against a fast, physical Montini defense, and keep it close. "We need to get to the fourth quarter within two scores," Casey said.
Next week: Montini at Marian Central (2-2, 1-1), Oct. 1; Aurora Central at Immaculate Conception (3-1, 1-1), Oct. 1.