Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games

By David Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

kschmit@dailyherald.com

IC Catholic (2-0, 0-0) at Wheaton Academy (2-0, 0-0)

Metro Suburban Blue

Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

Last week: IC Catholic 42, Joliet Catholic 0; Wheaton Academy 38, St. Edward 6.

Last year: IC Catholic 59, Wheaton Academy 7.

Outlook: Wheaton Academy gets its shot at an IC Catholic squad that may be better than its last two Class 3A champions. Last week the Knights steadied themselves then rolled Joliet Catholic. Backs Kyle Franklin and Steven Crady again led the offense. Two-way lineman Ricky Mysliwiec graded out around 98 percent on offense and defense against JCA. Among many stars, defensive lineman Kevin Akins and receiver-defensive back Sean Hipskind are among unheralded Knights doing quality work. The ICCP defense will quickly get after Wheaton Academy quarterback Ben Thorson, who has completed 13 of 21 passes for 332 yards, 5 touchdowns, his main target being Noah Jones. ICCP's speed and schemes will challenge Warriors linemen Sebastian Pares, Noel Siony, Derek Johanik, Dan Kowalszyk and Masa Kasai. Running back Cristian Carstens, up to 240 yards rushing, may still remember the blow ICCP linebacker Kemon Reese delivered last season.

Next week: Bishop McNamara at IC Catholic; St. Francis at Wheaton Academy.

Marmion (2-0) at Montini (2-0) Nonconference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Marmion 54, DuSable 0; Montini 42, Christ the King 0.

Last year: Marmion 28, Montini 27.

Outlook: After pounding overmatched opponents - 81-0 cumulatively for Marmion, 94-0 for Montini - the longtime rivals can play four quarters of football. Now a Chicago Catholic League crossover game, each team's need for wins given potentially iffy "playoff points" helps make this so important. Behind such linemen as 6-6, 260-pound Marshall Foerner and 6-foot, 250 Blake Kramer, Marmion's typical cavalcade of backs like Peter Ferraro and Luke Reifsnyer will attempt to stretch Montini linebacker Jackson Bruscianelli and the Broncos defense the width of the field - but the Broncos can't sleep on quarterback Declan McDonald throwing to Ferraro and to tight end Miles Childers. Montini's Deontay Bell again gets the start at quarterback. He's got a wealth of speedy weapons at his disposal. Nick Fedanzo, C.J. Bufkin, Scott West, Zach Olson, Matt Ross, Nate Muersch and Jermari Harris look to tire the low-number Cadets on the ground and through the air.

Next week: St. Laurence at Marmion; St. Joseph at Montini.

Naperville North (0-2) at Naperville Central (0-2)

Nonconference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Batavia 41, Naperville North 24; Lincoln-Way East 38, Naperville Central 19.

Last year: Naperville North 44, Naperville Central 41.

Outlook: Look above and you'll see four key facts ... one, this is a nonconference game. The cross-town rivals play again in Week 6 as part of DuPage Valley Conference play. Two, this is the first time since the 2000 playoffs that the Napervilles will play at Naperville Central. Three, both teams are 0-2 - incredibly rare. And four, last year's score might be out of reach but this has the potential to be another high-scoring game with the defenses allowing an average of 36 points. Naperville Central quarterback Payton Thorne, committed to Western Michigan, lit up his first two opponents while averaging 330 passing yards a game. He has multiple targets in Cade McDonald, Sam Jackson and Jared Suchevits. The Huskies' defense has flashed potential with Bo Richter at the heart of the unit. The combination of Huskies quarterback Cliff Vickers and receiver Matt Heinz has proved potent. That feeds into the Redhawks' secondary strength with Jack Jopes, Jamarri Moore and Justin Agema.

Next week: Metea Valley at Naperville North; Naperville Central at Trinity, Kentucky.

Neuqua Valley (1-1) at Waubonsie Valley (2-0)

Nonconference

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Stevenson 23, Neuqua Valley 15; Waubonsie Valley 15, Libertyville 6.

Last year: Neuqua Valley 29, Waubonsie Valley 7.

Outlook: Neuqua Valley leads the "War of 204" 15-6, and though this is a nonconference game between DuPage Valley Conference foes, players will be plenty up for it. Neuqua coach Bill Ellinghaus' concerns after the Stevenson game were penalties costing the Wildcats an average of 82 yards, plus Stevenson's 202 yards rushing. The coach liked his own ground game paced by linemen Griffin Harmer, Keegan Murray, Nolan Baker, Matt Appel and Jordan Drake. Will Chevalier missed last week due to rugby, but Armani Moreno still ran for 96 yards, 2 touchdowns. Waubonsie's strong defense, which could return Alex Lemmons to the line, has allowed only 156 yards rushing. Ryan Mutz and Jake Forrest each recovered Libertyville fumbles. The Warriors run game punches inside and out with Bryce Logan and Dre'Von Turner, and quarterback Jack Drow adds just enough passing balance. If it's tight late look for Warriors kicker Cross Holmes, who has converted 3 of 5 field-goal tries.

Next week: Neuqua Valley at Normal; Waubonsie Valley at Edwardsville.

Wilmington (1-1, 0-0) at Lisle (2-0, 0-0)

Interstate Eight Small

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Coal City 27, Wilmington 0; Lisle 14, Manteno 7.

Last year: Wilmington 28, Lisle 25.

Outlook: Lisle coach Paul Parpet Sr. correctly noted this is the next game on the Lions' schedule. But when Lisle last beat Wilmington in 1995, 6-0, and the Wildcats have won the last 10 IEC Small titles, it's a big one. Wilmington all-stater Connor Dempsay's 178 yards rushing come on 42 carries, 2 more than the combined efforts of Jake Rodawold, Trey Shaw and Sam Hafner in the double-wing set. Coach Jeff Reents, stressing "assignment football" defensively against Lisle, will undoubtedly drill special teams after mistakes contributed to Wilmington's first shutout loss since 2007, also to Coal City. Lisle has crept closer to Wilmington each of the past three seasons and now looks to finish the job. Interceptions by Dylan Laue and Jay McGrath closed out Manteno, while linebacker Mike Walker and lineman Charlie Waldusky led a defense that allowed minus-9 yards rushing. The goal is to get Wilmington's offense off the field, and for backs Laue, Walker and A.J. Casmer to keep it off.

Next week: Wilmington at Sandwich; Peotone at Lisle.

Addison Trail (0-2) at Glenbard West (1-1)Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The quick hit: Not much has gone right for Addison Trail's offense, but line improvement certainly would help. Glenbard West keeps tweaking its defensive personnel, last week shifting Sean Michel to safety. Tommy Bleker and Jarred Park split time at quarterback.

Benet (2-0, 0-0) at St. Patrick (2-0, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Triton College in River Grove.

The quick hit: With Ben Hickey nursing an injury, expect to see linebacker Mike Wymer more at running back. To rest him on defense, look for Michael Dorociak and Patrick Challenger to step up. For a third straight week the Redwings would love to get off to a fast start.

Christ the King (0-2) at Westmont (1-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Westmont seeks momentum after beating Lake View 34-0. Isaac Lischalk got it going on a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown. Quarterback Troy Schlicher will gladly repeat last week's stats - 6 passes for 2 Michael Thompson TDs, 1 for Mason Pardy.

DeKalb (2-0) at Metea Valley (0-2)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: DeKalb brings in several skill players, but a Metea strength continues to be its linebacker group. Nolan Falk and Jack Belskis combined for 20 tackles last week. Quarterback Patrick Straub stood tall in the pocket and connected with tight end Austin Frederick.

Downers Grove South (0-2, 0-0) at Proviso East (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 6 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Mustangs' offense is in need of a spark, and it'll get one this week with the return from injury of quarterback George Ross, who will see his first action of the season. Kendall Burrow is stepping in at center in addition to standing out on the defensive line.

Glenbard North (0-2, 0-0) at St. Charles East (2-0, 0-0)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Though Glenbard North's Kobie Jamison caught 6 passes for 131 yards in Week 2's three-day extravaganza against Warren, the Panthers ground game still must get on track. That would help limit the touches of the Saints' William Crossen and Justin Jett.

Glenbard South (2-0, 2-0) at Bartlett (1-1, 1-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Bartlett will be the best Upstate Eight foe the Raiders have faced. It's hoped lineman John Madison returns from injury to bolster the run defense. Backs Antonio Carter and Kylen Henderson each show something different, something Elgin had trouble stopping.

Hinsdale South (1-1, 0-0) at Morton (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Last week Hornets junior Marquese Garrett dominated on offense, rushing for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns, and throwing for 64 yards and a third score. With running back Devin Smith adding 98 rushing yards, Hinsdale South's offense is starting to come together.

Lake Park (1-1, 0-0) at Batavia (2-0, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: A tough opener for the Lancers in the DuKane Conference, but the defense looks ready for the defending 7A champ. Led by lineman Isaac Moore's scoop and score and tackle for a safety, the Lancers' defense last week accounted for 11 of the team's 30 points.

Leyden (0-2, 0-0) at Willowbrook (2-0, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: It's never an easy game for Willowbrook against the Eagles, but the Warriors are coming off a huge high following last week's win over Hinsdale Central. The Warriors won last year's meeting despite allowing Leyden two defensive scores.

Oak Park (1-1, 0-0) at Hinsdale Central (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Hinsdale Central senior running back Luke Skokna is out with an injury, but the Red Devils continue to pound the ground game with fellow senior Matt Bobak. He's developed into a similar workhorse back. Last week Bobak rushed for 180 yards on 36 carries.

Proviso West (0-2, 0-0) at Downers Grove North (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Trojans have a new offense, but they're not shy about going with old-fashioned power. Between quarterback Drew Cassens, running backs Owen Geraghty, Griffen Liszka and Joe Passarelli, and two tight ends, they've been getting the tough yards.

St. Francis (2-0) at Fenton (1-1)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: St. Francis seeks a faster start and part of that comes on defense, where Joe Lang, Sean Marren and Cale Baumgartner will cover Fenton receiver Diamon King. Fenton's positive last week was the line play of Eric Moreno, Angelo Mendoza and Marcel Rusiecki.

West Chicago (0-2, 0-2) at Glenbard East (2-0, 2-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: West Chicago receiver Mike Wagner and Rams wideout Jeremy Johnson are hard covers. It'll test West Chicago defensive backs Omar Contreras, Marko Filipovic and Marque Phillips. Glenbard East cornerback Jason Torrevillas intercepted 2 Bartlett passes.

Wheaton North (1-1, 0-0) at St. Charles North (1-1, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: Falcons running back Antowon Tolbert missed last week's game, and he's iffy for this one. That keeps Stephen Garner in the backfield. St. Charles North quarterback Kyler Brown, in for injured Peyton Brown, threw 2 touchdowns in his first start last week.

Wheaton Warrenville South (2-0, 0-0) at Geneva (0-2, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: The Tigers' defense has been amazing through two weeks. It's forced 11 turnovers (the offense has committed none), and allowed 103 total yards. Nose man Jack Kelly already has 19 tackles on the season. Jason Haw is a strong offensive threat at tight end.

York (1-1, 0-0) at Lyons Twp. (0-2, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The quick hit: York amassed 350 rushing yards last week, the bulk of it from KeVon Robinson and Nick Conroy behind an offensive line with four juniors. Bo Thomas led the defense to a shutout while quarterbacks Joe Javorek and Danny Dunn each threw touchdown passes.