Scouting this weekend’s DuPage County football games
By Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
kschmit@dailyherald.com
Fenton (5-1, 0-1) at Glenbard South (3-3, 2-0)
Metro Suburban Conference
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Ridgewood 32, Fenton 20; Glenbard South 39, Riverside-Brookfield 21.
Last year: Glenbard South 52, Fenton 0.
Outlook: Fenton’s best start since 1984 stalled in last week’s loss, but the Bison have no time to dwell on the disappointment. MSC newcomer Glenbard South is rejuvenated after a rugged nonconference schedule. While the Bison can stay alive for a third straight MSC title with a win, Glenbard South can move a key step closer to the outright championship. Fenton’s run defense, which faltered at times against Ridgewood, will be put to the test by Raiders running back Wes Sanders after he rushed for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns last week.
Fenton’s defense returns a crucial player in linebacker Roman Castellanos, who missed the last two games. Raiders receiver Elven Walker also presents a challenge. Fenton’s passing combination of quarterback Sean Havlovic and Alan Geneva remains a mainstay of the offense. Glenbard South counters with a much-improved defense headed by linebacker Zach Bava and lineman Kenny Anderson, who notched 2 sacks last week.
Next week: Elmwood Park at Fenton; Glenbard South at Ridgewood.
Glenbard West (6-0) at
Addison Trail (6-0)
Nonconference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Glenbard West 51, Proviso West 13; Addison Trail 35, Proviso East 0.
Last year: Glenbard West 41, Addison Trail 7.
Outlook: While Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet said the knee injury to Justice Odom won’t keep him out for an extended period of time, it’d be surprising to see him in this one. That puts junior Henry Haeffner behind center, but, like always, the Hilltoppers’ offensive focus remains on the run with Avery Balogh, Kendall Johnson and Joey Zito, who have combined for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns. That combination feeds right into Addison Trail’s strength on defense, especially with the linebacker tandem of Mike Imperiale and Kevin Kent, who snared one of the Blazers’ four interceptions last week.
Their offense is similar to the Hilltoppers in its run-dominant scheme and balance in carries. Anthony Messina, Vince Beltrano and Anthony Catanese have combined for 1,096 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, with Messina accounting for 711 yards. Again, though, the run feeds directly into the Hilltoppers’ strength up front with Tommy Schutt and Ruben Dunbar.
Next week: York at Glenbard West; Addison Trail at Willowbrook.
Naperville Central (4-2, 3-1) at
Wheaton North (5-1, 4-0)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Naperville Central 10, Glenbard North 6; Wheaton North 38, West Aurora 7.
Last year: Wheaton North 23, Naperville Central 21.
Outlook: The Redhawks’ success on offense is no secret. They’ll continue to pound running back Matt Randolph, who has 826 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, behind a punishing offensive line. Quarterback Ian Lewandowski has completed 61 percent of his passes, just enough to keep an extra player out of the box trying to slow Randolph. Wheaton North’s defense may be without linebacker Mike Swider, the unit’s lone returning starter, due to injury.
That’ll put more pressure on junior safeties Jaylen Howze and J.D. Marconi. Wheaton North’s offense is the most diverse in the DVC thanks to junior quarterback John Peltz, who has thrown for 933 yards and 9 touchdowns and rushed for 263 yards and 6 scores. For the first time since Week 1 the Falcons will have their backfield strength intact with running backs Patrick Sharp and Mike Sammer both healthy. The Redhawks have stopped the run all year behind defensive lineman Zach Borta and linebacker John Dulleck.
Next week: Naperville Central vs. Naperville North at North Central College; Glenbard North at Wheaton North.
Neuqua Valley (5-1, 3-0) at
Waubonsie Valley (5-1, 2-1)
Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, North Central College, Naperville
Last week: Neuqua Valley 52, Metea Valley 6; Waubonsie Valley 57, Larkin 7
Last year: Neuqua Valley 43, Waubonsie Valley 6
Outlook: Neuqua Valley leads this District 204 rivalry 9-3. Like last year, this game has conference ramifications, Neuqua tied Bartlett with Waubonsie right behind. Each team features a dynamite junior running back. Neuqua features Joey Rhattigan, who has run for 832 yards and 15 touchdowns; Waubonsie’s Austin Guido comes in having run for 759 yards and 12 TDs. Neuqua also has another 500-yard runner, Danny Dudek, but if there’s an offensive wild card it’s Waubonsie quarterback Dylan Warden, who has run for 8 touchdowns on 34 carries.
The Warriors’ 4-3 defense has 15 fumble recoveries and 5 interceptions, so Neuqua quarterback Nate Boudreau and Co. must play a clean game. On the other hand, Waubonsie coach Paul Murphy is wary of Neuqua’s 3-5 defense, headed by Michael Ippolito and Austin Schlosser, as the Warriors haven’t seen a lot of that set. Win or lose, both teams will be in the playoffs, so as Murphy said, “Let’s go out and have some fun.”
Next week: Bartlett at Neuqua Valley; Waubonsie Valley at East Aurora.
Wheaton Warrenville South (3-3, 3-1)
at Glenbard North (5-1, 3-1)
DuPage Valley Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: WW South 54, West Chicago 0; Naperville Central 10, Glenbard North 6.
Last year: WW South 49, Glenbard North 6.
Outlook: The key to WW South’s offensive improvement has been a maturing offensive line opening holes for running back Dan Vitale, who has rushed for 564 yards and 6 touchdowns. Quarterback Thaddeus Armstrong, who’s completed 55 percent of his passes, continues to improve his efficiency. The Panthers’ defensive line with Chris Dewing, Dan Eldridge and Forest Dukes will try to thwart the Tigers.
Glenbard North’s biggest question on offense comes at quarterback. Brian Murphy’s ankle injury leaves him uncertain to play, and defensive back Tremel Smith, who was Murphy’s backup last week, is nursing a neck injury. That leaves Greg Traficanti as the likely quarterback. Regardless, look for the Panthers to rely on running backs Phil Jackson, who has 602 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, and sophomore brother Justin Jackson. The Tigers have their own injury problems on defense after linebackers Dan Roadman and Brandon Peterson both sat out last week.
Next week: WW South at Glenbard East; Glenbard North at Wheaton North.
Aurora Christian (5-1, 3-0) at Immaculate Con. (5-1, 3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: This is for all the marbles in the Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division. IC quarterback Demetrius Carr faces AC counterpart Anthony Maddie, but it’ll come down to line play where IC is well-stocked with James Peachey, Diego Herrera & Company.
Benet (0-6) at South Bend Washington (Ind.) (5-2)
Game time: 8 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Washington features two big-time talents in Notre Dame-bound linebacker-running back David Perkins and receiver-defensive back Gehrig Dieter. Lineman Trevor Krajewski again earned defensive player of the week honors for the Redwings.
Downers Grove North (1-5, 0-3) at Proviso West (3-3, 1-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Downers North boasts offensive playmakers in quarterback Riley McGinnis and running back Anthony Rada, but the defense must step up after allowing 40 points for the first time. Proviso West looks to close in on a third straight playoff berth.
Glenbard East (1-5, 0-4) at West Chicago (0-6, 0-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Glenbard East’s injury situation staggered again last week when running back Javonte Burnett and wide receiver Matt Ploke suffered setbacks. West Chicago hopes to get its ground game going with running backs Matt Green and Nick Sanzeri.
Hinsdale Central (4-2, 1-2) at Oak Park (2-4, 1-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Red Devils have played great the last two weeks behind quarterback Brian Owens and the receiving trio of Brad Anlauf, Ryan Kelleher and Tom Garvin. Oak Park’s playoff hopes took a hit with last week’s last-second loss to Lyons Twp.
Lisle (2-4, 2-2) at Seneca (2-4, 2-2)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Lisle seeks its third straight win and third place outright in the Interstate Eight Small Division. If Nick Leonard can have another monster game — 130 yards rushing, 2 TDs rushing, 2 sacks — it should happen. Receiver Dawon Burrell is coming on.
Lyons Twp. (3-3, 2-2) at York (5-1, 3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Jake Elliott’s stunning 52-yard game-winning field goal as time expired last week may have salvaged the Lions’ season. York running back Ken Boesenberg rushed for 116 yards and Mike Despinich caught a pair of touchdown passes last week.
Marian Central (6-0, 3-0) at Wheaton Academy (1-5, 0-3)
Game time: 3 p.m. Saturday, West Chicago High School
The quick hit: The Warriors bravely scheduled the Suburban Christian Conference Blue leaders for their homecoming. Marian must still contain junior back Joel Swick, whose 85-yard TD run against Marmion was his third over 60 yards in the past 3 weeks.
Marmion (4-2, 2-1) at St. Francis (4-2, 1-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday, College of DuPage
The quick hit: Old-school ground games scrum in this Suburban Christian Conference Blue battle. St. Francis linebackers Nate Baratta and Jack Petrando bring in 45 and 46 tackles, respectively, while Petrando has rushed for 817 yards and 12 TDs on the year.
Metea Valley (3-3, 1-3) at Bartlett (4-2, 3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Having played Upstate Eight Conference Valley co-leader Neuqua Valley last week, Metea meets the other leader. If cleared, quarterback Jarrett House (knee) could return to direct an offense coach Ted Monken said played “tons better” last week.
Montini (4-2, 2-1) at St. Edward (4-2, 1-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Montini quarterback John Rhode’s return last week was a success. The senior went 11-of-14 passing for 135 yards, 3 TDs in a half. It’ll improve receiver Jordan Westerkamp’s downfield prospects in this Suburban Christian Conference Blue contest.
Morton (2-4, 1-3) at Hinsdale South (3-3, 2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Hinsdale South needs to get its offense going again after struggling in last week’s 28-7 loss to Hinsdale Central. Fifty-nine of the Hornets’ 135 rushing yards came on one run by Keontae Hall. This is a must win for the Hornets’ playoff hopes.
Naperville North (4-2, 3-1) at West Aurora (2-4, 0-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Naperville North quarterback Tyler Gehr has steadily brought balance to the team’s offense that’s run the ball consistently this season with Dan Puknaitis. The Huskies’ defense continues to get its strength from Nick Krejci and Brett Jones.
Proviso East (1-5, 1-2) at Downers Grove South (6-0, 3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Downers South allowed its first West Suburban Gold points last week but the Mustangs still average 51 points. While Josh Williams increased his rushing numbers to 1,240 yards and 21 TDs, quarterback A.J. Simoncelli added two passing scores.
St. Charles East (1-5) at Lake Park (2-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: Off a 49-0 win over East Aurora, Lake Park looks to end the Saints’ one-game win streak in this Upstate Eight crossover. On his first catch in his first game of the season, Lancers junior receiver Kevin Teglia scored on a 37-yard Zach Gehant pass.
Willowbrook (0-6, 0-3) at Leyden (1-5, 1-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: As Dom Battaglia learns on the job in his new role at quarterback, Willowbrook received strong play on defense last week from junior Jeremy Kucik in the secondary. Leyden’s offense surged the last two weeks, leading to its first win against Morton.