Week 6: Scouting the Metro Suburban
IC Catholic (4-1, 1-0) at Riverside-Brookfield (5-0, 1-0)
Metro Suburban Blue
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last week: IC Catholic 56, St. Edward 13; Riverside-Brookfield 20, Wheaton Academy 9.
Last year: IC Catholic 45, Riverside-Brookfield 14.
Outlook: Others may have a voice in the matter, but this game is seen as the one to determine the MSC Blue champion. Against St. Edward, ICCP quarterback Khalil Saunders, who had replaced Luke Ricobene after a season-ending injury in Week 2, himself went out injured. Saunders will play if able but if not it'll be 6-foot-2 C.J. West at quarterback. The senior has seen game action there all along, 8-of-13 passing for 216 yards, 4 touchdowns. Riverside-Brookfield quarterback Hunter Hughes is a leader and a play extender, and the Knights must tackle in space against Hughes, slotback Stefan Gminski and running back Nick Del Nodal, who ran for 130 yards, 2 touchdowns against a game Wheaton Academy. Tackling didn't seem to hamper the top-rated team in Class 3A last week. Against a St. Edward squad that had outscored its prior two foes 110-0, Knights linebackers Kevin Cooke, Kemon Reese, Khali Saunders and the ICCP defense allowed minus-1 yard rushing and 3 first downs.
Next week: IC Catholic at Wheaton Academy; Riverside-Brookfield at Fenton.
Fenton (2-3, 0-1) at St. Edward (3-2, 0-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: St. Edward managed 37 yards of offense, 3 first downs last week. Fenton aims to keep it that way after the Bison forced 4 turnovers, including Ivan Lozado's third and fourth interceptions, and Brian Jaramillo's fumble return for touchdown. The Green Wave lost captains Ben Harrington, Tyler Holte and David Madden to injury in the course of last week's 56-13 loss to IC Catholic Prep, the No. 1 team in Class 3A. “Everyone will be back” for this Metro Suburban Blue matchup, St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said.
Glenbard South (3-2, 1-0) at Wheaton Academy (3-2, 0-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Unbeaten at home since 2015, Wheaton Academy nearly gained a signature win at Riverside-Brookfield. Here's a similar chance. Quarterback Jack Crouch keys Glenbard South, with safety Graham DiFranco spying Warriors receiver Noah Jones.
Walther Christian (0-5, 0-1) at Aurora Central Catholic (2-3, 1-0) Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
The quick hit: The Chargers are a heavy favorite to win this Metro Suburban Red matchup and even their overall record. Walther Christian has lost 18 straight since a 27-26 win over Chicago Christian on Sept. 26, 2015.