Scouting Aurora Central at Immaculate Conception

Aurora Central Catholic (2-3, 1-1)

at Immaculate Conception (3-2, 1-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Immaculate Conception 41, Aurora Central 14.

Last week: Montini 48, Aurora Central 0; Marian Central 54, Immaculate Conception 7.

Outlook: Looking at the upcoming schedule, for the visiting Chargers to reach the playoffs this becomes a must-win game. Aurora Central has 2-3 Guerin in Week 9 but must also nab two wins over the next three games against the likes of IC, Suburban Christian Gold favorite St. Edward, then solid St. Francis (3-2) in Week 8. Trouble is, IC is in the same boat with SCC Gold foes Wheaton Academy and Aurora Christian over the next two weeks. This is the IC Knights' homecoming, and if things work out for both teams there'll be plenty of time to get gussied up for the big dance. Both teams will want to run, run, run and if either ACC quarterback Stewart deWaard or IC counterpart Cody Kotlow throw the ball more than about 10 times, they're in trouble. IC coach Mike Alberts also looks at the matchup between his left offensive guard, senior Robert Rivera (6-1, 280), against Chargers defensive tackle Kent Brauweiler (6-3, 235) who watched last week's IC pummeling with offensive tackle Adam Blake (6-1, 280) as an indication of how things will go. Friday's temporary lighting will highlight IC back Connor Hendricks, who ran for 93 yards on 9 carries last year against the Chargers. ACC's backfield stable includes Marcus Jefferson, Kyle Clechenko, Zach Tobin. Linemen Blake, Steve Carroll, Joe Cisneros, Izzy Rosa and A.T. White can't get pushed around. On the other hand, Chargers coach Brian Casey said: "The biggest key is we've got to tackle."

Next week: St. Edward (4-1, 2-0) at Aurora Central, Oct. 8; Immaculate Conception at Wheaton Academy (4-1, 2-0), Oct. 9.