Metro Suburban Week 4 previews
St. Edward (2-1) at IC Catholic (2-1) Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last week: IC Catholic 51, Walther Christian 6; Riverside-Brookfield 21, St. Edward 7.
Last year: St. Edward 35, IC Catholic 28.
Outlook: It's a Metro Suburban crossover moved to Plunkett Park in Elmhurst because of field problems at St. Edward, but it's important for IC as a measuring stick and for playoff positioning. IC sophomore quarterback Luke Ricobene has completed 74 percent of his passes for 711 yards and 7 touchdowns without an interception, but Knights coach Bill Krefft considers this a running team. Junior tailback Jordan Rowell, inactive last week, has run for 261 yards, 4 touchdowns. Adding receiving and return yardage he averages 257 yards a game. IC linebackers Anthony Silva, James Lytton and Jose Rodriguez will be busy containing St. Edward speedster Dwayne Allen, like nose tackle Jake French a 2014 Metro East player of the year in the Green Wave's first 9-0 season in its 71-year history. Already Allen has run for 555 yards, 8 touchdowns. Coach Mike Rolando cautions the Wave will need more than just Allen, which suggests quarterbacks Saveon Smith and Dylan Mlinarich — the first a runner and the second a passer — will play pivotal roles.
Next week: Aurora Central Catholic at IC Catholic; Guerin at St. Edward.
Fenton (1-2) at Elmwood Park (1-2)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Elmwood Park breaks out the veer option, which Fenton coach Mark Kos studied under former coach Mark Carmen. Kos expects a 48-minute “grind” — and 48 minutes of consistency paced by leaders like Corey Hausen and Ryan Karich.
Glenbard South (1-2) at Ridgewood (2-1)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Fireworks may erupt as back Alex Rice, quarterback Chris Jacobsen went off for a Ridgewood team averaging 36 points. Glenbard South responds with pounding back Sean Cooke, receivers Billy Bair and Jimmy Ebbole, linebacker Dillon Valdez.
Wheaton Academy (3-0) at Chicago Christian (1-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Wheaton Academy seeks a second straight 4-0 start; it beat Chicago Christian 35-7 last season. The thrust is crisp execution, and for tacklers like Harrison Taylor and Chase Martin to limit back Luke Rattler, already up to 437 yards rushing.
Aurora Central Catholic (1-2) at Guerin (2-1)
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: Fresh off their first victory of the season against Chicago Christian, the Chargers seek a road win in River Grove against the Gators, who were handed a 2-point loss by Wheaton Academy. ACC junior Griffin Zajac scored last week on a 70-yard kickoff return and an 18-yard pass from quarterback Johnny Belskis.