Scouting: Tri-Cities football, Week 7
Elgin (1-5, 0-4) at Batavia (6-0, 3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Batavia 28, Elgin 7.
Last week: St. Charles North 37, Elgin 13; Batavia 46, Geneva 34.
Outlook: The thought of a “trap game” following Batavia's huge win over Geneva, which probably earned the Bulldogs the Upstate Eight Conference River Division title, has not crossed anyone's mind. “This is a game we have got to win,” said Batavia coach Dennis Piron, whose staff has broken down five Elgin game films. “Right now we're in a good position to win the conference title and these next three games (Elgin, St. Charles North, Streamwood), we're approaching each game as a conference championship game.” That spells trouble for coach Dave Bierman's Elgin Maroons, who got pummeled by a St. Charles North squad that had scored 1 offensive touchdown in its prior three games.
Elgin got burned through the air but mainly on the ground, which is how Batavia beat Geneva. The Bulldogs run for 254 yards last week and 232 yards in the second half behind linemen Nick Pappas, Adam Hunger, Zack Schoettes, Brock Batka and Ben Link. Blocking fullback Alec Lyons and tight end Cole Gardner “mashed people,” Piron said, with Lyons adding 2 touchdown blasts to go along with speedy Dom Guzaldo and Alex Moore, who ran for 92 and 82 yards, respectively. Of course, quarterback Noel Gaspari going down with what was later diagnosed as a slight separation of his left, non-throwing shoulder was a big scare.
As of Monday, though, Gaspari was throwing in practice and Piron said it's “pretty likely he'll play this week.” It's also likely that if Batavia is in good shape backup Dan Albrecht will relieve Gaspari. The goal against Elgin is to make the Maroons a one-dimensional offense by containing blazing running back Dennis Moore and hard-hitting sophomore back Jaylen Clemons and turning the game over to sophomore quarterback Ryan Sitter.
That would find the wheelhouse of a Batavia defense that has recorded 17 sacks and 13 interceptions — 5 by Jon Gray, 3 by Michael Moffatt. Stuffing the run is right up the alley of Batavia defensive linemen like Lyons and Austin Lewis, who scored against Geneva on a fumble recovery in the end zone, and also tackled Geneva's Matt Williams for a 19-yard loss that led to another Bulldogs touchdown. Middle linebacker Sean Oroni had a monster game against Geneva with 20 tackles, 3 for loss. “Teams have a hard time running the ball on us, especially up the middle,” said Piron. The coach's one note of disappointment was for his team's penchant for big penalties based on over-aggressive tackling. Hopefully they'll contain themselves because, as Piron said, “The kids are motivated more now than ever.”
Next week: St. Charles East (1-5, 1-3) at Elgin, Oct. 14; Batavia at St. Charles North (1-5, 1-2), Oct. 14.
Streamwood (5-1, 2-1)
at Geneva (5-1, 3-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Geneva 48, Streamwood 7.
Last week: St. Charles East 49, Streamwood 34; Batavia 46, Geneva 34.
Outlook: There is no time for sympathy in Geneva, which faces a solid Streamwood team that, like the Vikings, will be pretty sore over last week's Upstate Eight River result. “We played well enough to lose,” said Geneva coach Rob Wicinski, though losing to Batavia — the IHSA's top-ranked Class 6A team based on wins and strength of schedule — is no shame. He had several laments over last week's game, including mistakes like a couple botched punt plays deep in Vikings territory that led to Batavia touchdowns and allowing 254 yards on the ground. Those are fixable things that require a back-to-basics approach, Wicinski said. “Defensively the kids have got too take to heart their techniques and perform them,” he said.
Though defensive end Henry Zupke tallied 10 tackles and knocked Batavia quarterback out of the game in the process, Jake Peterson led the team with 12 tackles from his cornerback spot, never a good sign. On the other hand, 34 points — especially against a Batavia team that had allowed only 40 points entering the game — will be good enough for Geneva to beat most of its foes. Parker Woodworth continued his solid season with 120 yards and a touchdown and the Vikings continued to get good special teams play from receiver Ben Rogers and back Bobby Hess, who scored on a 95-yard kickoff return. But while quarterback Matt Williams ran in 2 touchdowns against Batavia, look for him to rekindle the passing attack against Streamwood after completing 9 of 22 passes for 53 yards. Along with Rogers and both Woodworth and fullback Ben Herrera, tight end Connor Einck and receiver Tyler Hickey will be involved. Defensively against Streamwood, as we've reported all season, the task is to contain running back Alex Morrow and contain the passing combination of quarterback Dalton Lundeen to receiver Blake Holder, although Lundeen twice hit junior back Deji Giwa for touchdown passes against St. Charles East.
Streamwood led St. Charles East 14-0 on 2 Morrow touchdown runs, and then 21-7 before 3 lost fumbles and an invigorated Saints ground game took over. Geneva linebacker Nick Caruso, defensive ends Drew White and Zupke will lock horns with Morrow. “We've got to shake off the cobwebs and definitely not feel sorry for ourselves — which they aren't,” Wicinski said.
Next week: Larkin (3-3, 2-1) at Streamwood, Oct. 14; Geneva at South Elgin (2-4), Oct. 15.
St. Charles North (1-5, 1-2)
at Larkin (3-3, 2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Memorial Field, Elgin High.
Last year: St. Charles North 42, Larkin 14.
Last week: St. Charles North 37, Elgin 13; Waubonsie Valley 57, Larkin 7.
Outlook: Matching the Saints on the other side of town, St. Charles North got the monkey off its back with the help of another power-running output that produced the team's highest point total this year. North Stars coach Mark Gould said junior running back George Edlund carried the ball an unruly 39 times for 286 yards, breaking Dominic Cozzi's 2002 program record of 268 yards. Admiringly, the coach said Edlund is not resting on his laurels before this week's game against Larkin. “He's worked harder this week than he has ever before,” Gould said. “He's just that type of kid.”
For a team needing good things to happen early, the North Stars worked it against Elgin, Edlund scoring on a 3-yard run — he added touchdown runs of 39 and 42 yards — and near-automatic kicker Michael Schroeder booting a 27-yard field goal for a 9-0 first-quarter lead. A tweak to the offense helped ease Edlund's way — fullback Brennan Gleeson providing lead blocks behind the effective line of A.J. Diehl, Dan Cassidy, Kyle Brieth, Tyler LaMaide and Chase Gianacakos. St. Charles North worked in a few rushing yards by Nick Lynch and second-half Ryan Fischbach touchdown passes to William Ohlrich and Pat Donlevy — a great diving grab — to put Elgin away.
Now, to play on a team Gould said looks similar to Elgin. Larkin has a more experienced quarterback in three-year starter Kyle Newquist, though the right-hander completed only 8 of 18 passes for 62 yards and an interception against a very good Waubonsie Valley team. Sam Scorby and Conor Lee, both with interceptions against Elgin, will be on alert. The Royals were outgained 345-82 on the ground last week, led by fast Mo Jackson with 31 yards on 9 carries. Against this Upstate Eight River opponent, St. Charles North looks for a duplicate of last week's effort against Larkin's sister school.
Inside linebackers Scorby and Reece Conroyd helped limit one Elgin running back to minus-3 yards on 6 carries, and outside linebackers Corbin Burke and Alec Datoli both pinched down while maintaining cutback duties. Six-foot-4 sophomore Garrett Johnson made his first start at defensive end on a unit that allowed only 1 offensive touchdown. “I feel great for the kids,” Gould said. “Sometimes you hear about teams quitting, laying down a bit, not working hard. These kids never had that in them.”
Next week: Batavia (6-0, 3-0) at St. Charles North, Oct. 14; Larkin at Streamwood (5-1, 2-1) at Larkin, Oct. 14.
St. Charles East (1-5)
at Lake Park (2-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: St. Charles East 19, Lake Park 13.
Last week: St. Charles East 49, Streamwood 34; Lake Park 49, East Aurora 0.
Outlook: St. Charles East used some old-fashioned power running to finally break into the win column, overcoming adversity to do so. The Saints look to continue the momentum in this week's Upstate Eight Conference crossover against Lake Park. “We've got to be able to run the ball,” said Saints coach Mike Fields, after his offense amassed 237 yards rushing against Streamwood. “We've got to be able to continue that success.”
Against a Lancers squad that's allowed an average of 225 yards rushing per game, it's a distinct possibility. The Lancers do have an all-conference linebacker in Matt Mysliwiec, but he's less than 100 percent due to injury, with Ronnie Castaldo leading Lake Park in tackles with 52. Offensively, the Lancers have been mistake prone, losing 9 fumbles though senior LaCurt Evans can score when he gets going. Fields is concerned about Lancers receiver Kevin Teglia, who in his first game this season after injury, caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Zach Gehant. “It's the same thing we preach every week,” Fields said. “Whoever wins the turnover battle is going to win the game.”
That was Streamwood's bugaboo, fumbling 5 times and losing 3 of them to the Saints, with Nick Devor, Jake Mazanke and Branden Slattery each picking up loose balls. St. Charles East rallied from 14-0 and 21-7 deficits with the ground game. Fields likes his “Trey Formation” in red zone and goal line situations and after halftime went with the power running set more prominently. Switching in Mike Marino, Nolan DeMartino and Tyler Windau in double-tight sets with three-back sets featuring Joe Hoscheit, Carter Reading, Jacob Bruce and bolstered by linebacker John Kelley at fullback, the Saints scored 35 second-half points, each successfully followed by a Danny Muzzalupo kick. Sophomore Brannon Barry also sprinted 68 yards on a punt return to score.
“That's the type of football that we like to play at St. Charles and be known for,” Fields said of a rugged ground game. “To come out and execute like that in the second half was a good step for our program.” Fields acknowledged allowing 34 points won't win a lot of games, but aside from Lake Park scoring 49 points on hapless East Aurora and 37 against 1-5 Glenbard East, the Lancers have been less of a juggernaut than Streamwood. The main thing, after St. Charles East's difficult start: “The kids believed,” Fields said.
Next week: St. Charles East at Elgin (1-5, 0-4), Oct. 14; Lake Park at Metea Valley (3-3, 1-3), Oct. 14.
Aurora Central (3-3, 1-2)
at Walther Lutheran (1-5, 0-3)
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Last year: Did not play.
Last week: Guerin 18, Aurora Central 15; Aurora Christian 48, Walther Lutheran 6.
Outlook: It's possible due to the playoff qualification recipe that includes opponents' victories — Aurora Central's foes have won 25 games thus far — the Chargers may need six wins to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1997. Week 9 is the first meeting against Aurora Christian, but against two very beatable opponents in Walther Lutheran and Wheaton Academy, ACC must focus on the present. Guerin was also very beatable, but a couple big mistakes dug an 18-0 hole by halftime. The hole was too deep to overcome by Luke Dickerson's 23-yard sweep for a touchdown, and quarterback Kyle Clechenko's long 57-yard touchdown run.
First halves have been sluggish for ACC, other than that solid opening drive against Marengo in the Chargers' lightning-postponed victory in Week 2. While ACC has proved its resilience to come back, a good start in this Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division contest against athletic-but-thin Walther Lutheran may have the host Broncos thinking “here we go again.” But they have the speed to score from anywhere on the field. Quarterback Joe Lomnicki targets difference-making receiver-running back Najee Toomer as well as versatile receiver Jeff Walker. Normally ACC may have the edge in speed, but that may not be the case this week. Defensively, Walther Lutheran — which beat Guerin 42-31 for its sole victory — features cornerback Cody Cotton and a 4-4 set that likes to jam the gaps to gain penetration, said Chargers coach Brian Casey. That's similar to what Guerin's defensive linemen did last week to blow up the Chargers' double-wing offense.
So, ACC's line of Joe Cisneros, Luke Faltz, Izzy Rosa, A.T. White and Alex Karafiat will again be challenged to establish the line and open running lanes — though Walther is also susceptible to the pass as Aurora Christian's Anthony Maddie showed last week. Offensively the Chargers likely remain without running back Marcus Jefferson (hip pointer). “The bottom line,” Casey said, “is we're going to take things one at a time. Walther Lutheran is the biggest game of our season, then we go from there.”
Next week: Wheaton Academy (1-5) at Aurora Central, Oct. 14; Montini (4-2) at Walther Lutheran, Oct. 15.
Marmion (4-2, 2-1)
at St. Francis (4-2, 1-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn.
Last year: Marmion 22, St. Francis 0.
Last week: Marmion 24, Wheaton Academy 6; Montini 33, St. Francis 14.
Outlook: The capsule summary can't be said any better than this, by Marmion coach Dan Thorpe: “It might not be Michigan-Ohio State from the '60s, but it might be pretty close. Neither one of us throw the ball a whole lot, so people better get there early because the game might be over pretty quick.” In this Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division battle of Wing-T style offenses neither St. Francis quarterback Nick Donati nor Marmion's Charlie Faunce should throw the ball much. But those few play-action passes provide the element of surprise, and Marmion quarterback Charlie Faunce has completed 20 of 37 passes.
Last week Faunce caught Wheaton Academy with a touchdown pass to Jake Ruddy, who also ran for 100 yards and 2 TDs to provide, with A.J. Friedman's career-best 48-yard field goal and 3 PATs, all of Marmion's points. “An 80-yard run is what we weren't getting early this year,” Thorpe said of one of Ruddy's TD jaunts. The Cadets' leading ground gainer with 416 yards, Garret Becker's (hamstring) return will be a game-day decision. While Marmion lost inside linebacker Matt Lally (ankle), another 'backer, Mike Shares (elbow), may return. Chipping in will be safety Kyle Kozak, who intercepted 2 passes last week, 1 in the end zone, and made 7 tackles. Defensive strength up the gut will be essential against St. Francis coach Greg Purnell's Wing-T, which has sent Jack Petrando through the line for 817 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. Last week he ran for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns against Montini.
“We felt we ran the ball very well against Montini,” said Purnell, citing a 99-yard drive. “We just failed to get it in the end zone in critical times.” Both of these teams have the linemen, the schemes and the discipline to slowly grind out clock-consuming possessions. For a line-of-scrimmage fan, this is the game to see, the likes of Marmion's 270-pound Ryan Glasgow and 265-pound Tyler Boyd colliding against St. Francis players such as tackles Kyle Bosch and Robert Dwyer, listed at 290 and 270, respectively. Purnell said the Spartans went on fourth down at least five times last week against Montini. That also indicates a Marmion advantage: the kicking game (provided the coverage teams can corral the Spartans' return men). Friedman is 4 of 6 on field goals — from 25, 35, 40 and 48 yards. In a game expected to be close and low-scoring, that would be good enough for Thorpe. “I would be very happy with a 3-0 victory,” he said.
Next week: Marmion at Guerin (3-3), Oct. 15; St. Francis at Immaculate Conception (5-1), Oct. 15.
Aurora Christian (5-1, 3-0)
at Immaculate Conception (5-1, 3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Aurora Christian 40, Immaculate Conception 14.
Last week: Aurora Christian 48, Walther Lutheran 6; Immaculate Conception 47, Chicago Christian 0.
Outlook: The game for all the marbles in the Suburban Christian Gold. Aurora Christian is currently ranked fourth and IC ninth in The Associated Press Class 4A poll, while the IHSA's Class 3A playoff outlook ranks IC fourth and Aurora Christian sixth based on team record and opponents' wins. In the past this would be a clash of Aurora Christian's spread offense against an IC option that sought to plow straight down the field between the hash marks, preferably over people. No longer. The Knights' first-year head coach Chris VanDyke, out of Naperville Central's program, implemented a spread offense and St. Joseph transfer quarterback Demetrius Carr, a junior, came in to run it.
Though IC still looks to power-run first, Carr has a strong right wing and shifty, evasive legs to go with it, a lot like Aurora Christian's Western Michigan-bound senior Anthony Maddie. Arguably two of the four best quarterbacks in the entire SCC, Carr has run for 478 yards, 5 touchdowns, and passed for 682 yards and 8 TDs (in five games, since one was a lightning-cancelled forfeit win); Maddie has run for 249 yards and 4 TDs and passed for an alarming 1,601 yards and 24 TDs. But, with the Eagles' Brandon Mayes having run for at least 123 yards in two of the past three games, Aurora Christian's offense is likewise no one-trick pony. Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe will also look to the tape of Marmion's 28-20 win over IC, won on the ground against the Knights. Both teams are solid on each line and on defense, though IC cornerbacks Cody Baker and Patrick Kirby, safeties Adam Muellers and Charlie Pulkownik have to gear up for a downfield attack they likely haven't faced before.
“We don't have a weakness in our skill positions, and that is the strength of our football team,” Beebe said. “We have six guys that can take it to the house.” In addition to receiver Cory Windle, whose 7 receptions for 212 yards against Walther increased his season take to 32 catches, 667 yards, 9 TDs, the Eagles hope to return both last year's leading receiver, Chad Beebe, as well as receiver Grayson Roberts from injury. Every little bit will help. “No doubt, it's the two best teams in the conference,” Don Beebe said. “It's their homecoming in their backyard. It's going to be a tough road for us.”
Next week: St. Edward (4-2) at Aurora Christian, Oct. 14; St. Francis (4-2) at Immaculate Conception, Oct. 15.
Yorkville (4-2, 0-2) at Kaneland (6-0, 2-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Kaneland 34, Yorkville 13.
Last week: Rochelle 34, Yorkville 14; Kaneland 49, DeKalb 38.
Outlook: With Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer Karl Hoinkes now at Yorkville, this looks to be an interesting matchup in the Northern Illinois Big 12 East. Hopefully for Kaneland not as interesting as last week's shootout. DeKalb held a 31-14 lead early in the third quarter, its defense helping account for 10 points on an interception return for touchdown and a fumble recovery leading to a field goal. Then Kaneland sophomore quarterback Drew David threw touchdown passes to Zack Martinelli, Quinn Buschbacher and Sean Carter and Jesse Balluff ran for 2 TDs to rally past the Barbs with 35 points in the last 19 minutes. It showcased the composed, four-quarters approach Knights coach Tom Fedderly has been preaching.
“We had to play very good football to get back and do what we did,” he said. “I'm very, very proud, especially of guys like Drew, to forget what happened and keep on playing.” David had sailed through four games with just 2 interceptions; he's since thrown 4 interceptions the last two games, which Fedderly attributes to a heavier playbook loaded onto the youngster as he's progressed. David has now completed 89 of 135 passes (66 percent) for 1,630 yards and 22 touchdowns. Fedderly also is impressed with the ascent of another key sophomore skill player, Balluff. With 607 yards rushing, and 11 touchdowns, the track sprinter is averaging a little over 100 yards rushing a game, the first Knights back Fedderly recalls doing so since Brett Harner way back in 2002. “I like how we've been pretty balanced,” the coach said. This week the Knights defense — namely linemen Ben Kovalick, Matt Price, Ryan Noel and Alex Snyder — face a team that would like to pound the ball. Hoinkes, formerly of Oswego and Benedictine University now in his first year at Yorkville, runs an I-formation featuring running back Neil O'Brien, who ran for 61 yards last week against Rochelle.
But, trailing 21-0 the Foxes were forced to pass. Quarterback Nick Gillette threw for 88 yards to Cody Knudsen and 74 to Ilir Emini, but also 4 interceptions. So, Kaneland's thrust would be to force the pass and have Gillette launch the ball in the direction of Jacob Razo, who has 4 picks himself. “They've got a pretty solid (4-3) defense and they run the ball, and that's what Karl did at Oswego,” Fedderly said. “We've got to stop the run.”
Next week: DeKalb (3-3, 0-2) at Yorkville, Oct. 14; Kaneland at Sycamore (4-2, 1-1), Oct. 14.
Burlington Central (4-2, 1-1)
at Harvard (6-0, 2-0)
When: today at 7 p.m. at Dan Horne Field
Last year: Burlington Central 33, Harvard 24
Last week: Burlington Central 33, Genoa-Kingston 0; Harvard 42, North Boone 14
Outlook: Burlington Central is still very much in the title hunt in the Big Northern Conference's East Division. To have a chance at a split title with league-leading Richmond-Burton, the Rockets must take care of business this week on the road against undefeated Harvard and root for Harvard to subsequently knock off Richmond-Burton a week later. The first part of that equation entails beating a Harvard team that puts the ball in the air more frequently than the program has in past years. Quarterback Timmy Linhart has already thrown for nearly 700 yards and has 5 touchdown passes. Most of that yardage and all 5 scoring passes were thrown to senior wide receiver Collin Nolen.
“They're throwing the ball pretty successfully,” Central coach Rich Crabel said. “(Nolen) is one really talented receiver and (Linhart) throws the ball well. The pass sets up the run for them and sometimes it gets them down into scoring position with long plays. Then they go to what they've done traditionally and pound you a little bit.” The Harvard offense has not been tested by a defense like Central's, a unit limiting opponents to 9.7 points and 164 yards per game. That defense has been led by senior middle linebacker Chandler Crary, who has been part of 97 takedowns, solo and assisted combined.
Leading receiver Zach Ranney was cleared to play midweek but “we'll take that slow and see how he looks,” Crabel said Wednesday. Ranney suffered a noncontact foot injury two weeks ago and sat out the victory over Genoa-Kingston. The returning all BNC-East wide receiver has been junior quarterback Ryan Ritchie's top target. In five games he has 19 catches for 324 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Next week: North Boone at Burlington Central; Harvard at Richmond-Burton
Naperville North (4-2, 3-1)
at West Aurora (2-4, 0-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Naperville North 21, West Aurora 7.
Last week: Naperville North 51, Glenbard East 13; Wheaton North 38, West Aurora 7.
Outlook: Last week's West Aurora highlight was Jonny Gosong's 90-yard kickoff return for touchdown followed by Bryan Watkins' kick and that was just about that. It was the first game the Blackhawks have not been in this season, outgained 332 yards to 100. “We didn't play well and they played well and that was pretty much it,” said West Aurora coach Nate Eimer. Needing 5 wins to at least be eligible for the playoffs — though the Blackhawks' opponents' current total of 23 combined victories aren't helping much — West Aurora is up against the wall against another of the DuPage Valley Conference heavies.
Eimer said Naperville North will try to run the ball first, mainly behind fireplug back Danny Puknaitis and quarterback Tyler Gehr, who combined for 233 yards in the Huskies' win over Wheaton Warrenville South. “Defensively we've just got to get off the field,” Eimer said. “It's been a challenge since we got into this DVC schedule.” That's nothing new, and neither is the talent on Naperville North's defensive line, which will challenge Blackhawks offensive linemen Darryl Stewart, Austin Beebe, Tyler Thomas, D.J. Nelson and Bobby Drager. Eimer's hoping to get receivers Nate Zinzer and Cole Childs back into action, but quarterback Richie Renner must also be assisted by the ground game headed by Shon Enoch. Booker Ross, slowly coming back from injury, should add to the rushing options.
Overall the team's standing depends on the same thing Eimer said entering the season: consistency. Regardless, seeing West Chicago and Glenbard East in weeks 8-9, Eimer's not giving up hope on a playoff berth. “We've still got a chance to get three (wins) and it starts this week,” he said.
Next week: Naperville Central (4-2, 3-1) at Naperville N., Oct. 14; West Aurora at West Chicago (0-6, 0-4), Oct. 14.