Scouting this weekend's DuPage County football games
By David Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
kschmit@dailyherald.com
Glenbard East (4-0, 4-0) at South Elgin (4-0, 4-0)
Upstate Eight Conference
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Last week: Glenbard East 17, West Aurora 13; South Elgin 55, Streamwood 0.
Last year: South Elgin 35, Glenbard East 22.
Outlook: Glenbard East is 4-0 for the first time since 1999. South Elgin has outscored foes 193-0 - against teams a combined 0-16. Glenbard East's huge win last week featured quarterback Brett Bushka's 307 total yards, Dominic Tenca's 36-yard field goal and Mashar Lewis' clinching interception. The Rams' offense got more diverse with Kurt Czech and Pat Crossland each catching 5 passes, relieving pressure on Jeremy Johnson. Heavy up front as linebackers like Anthony Shockey and Josh Landolino fly around, Glenbard East held West Aurora to 81 yards passing and forced Bartlett into 0-of-15 passing. Given South Elgin's foes it's hard to tell how good it is, but out of a wing option Travis Tranchitella and Patrick Noworol are among five backs who've run for at least 100 yards. Off play action Parker Frey has caught 9 passes for 151 yards and the Storm uses two quarterbacks, Jacob Johnson and Azxavier Salinas. It has also blocked 3 punts. Rams punter Jason Torrevillas is on alert.
Next week: Glenbard East at East Aurora; Larkin at South Elgin.
Hinsdale South (3-1, 2-0) at Willowbrook (4-0, 2-0) West Suburban Gold
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Hinsdale South 40, Downers Grove South 17; Willowbrook 42, Addison Trail 13.
Last year: Willowbrook 38, Hinsdale South 33.
Outlook: This one likely decides the Gold champion. Since a Week 1 loss, Hinsdale South really hit its stride with quarterback Marquese Garrett, a converted running back, settling in nicely into his new position. Garrett leads the team with 453 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, while Devin Smith adds another 308 yards. Willowbrook can't fall asleep on Garrett's downfield threat with receiver Terrill McCray, one of the Hornets' many two-way players. He and Eddy Hyland picked off passes last week, with Hyland returning his for 101 yards and a touchdown. Willowbrook's offense revolves around junior quarterback Sam Tumilty, who has thrown for 623 yards and rushed for a team-leading 442 yards. While running backs D'onte Gholston and Franshun Jordan try to keep the chains moving on the ground, Deandre Holliday and Scott Tumilty are top receiving targets for Sam Tumilty. Like Hinsdale South, two-way play keys the Warriors.
Next week: Proviso East at Hinsdale South; Willowbrook at York.
Lisle (4-0, 2-0) at Herscher (3-1, 1-0)
Interstate Eight Small
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Lisle 34, Peotone 33; Herscher 47, Reed-Custer 42.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: It'll be difficult, but a Lisle win here edges the Lions closer to their first conference title since 1981. Coming off big wins over Manteno and Wilmington, Lisle coach Paul Parpet Sr. was impressed his team rallied from halftime and fourth-quarter deficits to beat Peotone on a pass from Jay McGrath to Nick Martich with about three minutes left. Dylan Laue ran for 99 yards with a 70-yard touchdown run, and receiver Demetrius Kellie caught 6 passes for 131 yards and returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. The key against Herscher, Parpet said, is offensive ball possession and controlling the Tigers' ground game, the challenge put toward linebackers Martich and Mike Walker, linemen Kevin Paz, Anthony Raineri and Charlie Waldusky. Herscher will buckle down after allowing Reed-Custer 28 fourth-quarter points. The Tigers' formations appear pass-ready but favor the run, with back Matt Dorsey and quarterback Carter Hendrix heading a unit that's run for 1,029 yards.
Next week: Reed-Custer at Lisle; Herscher at Wilmington.
St. Rita (1-3, 0-1) at Montini (4-0, 0-0)
Chicago Catholic League Blue
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Providence 12, St. Rita 7; Montini 55, St. Joseph 0.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: Despite St. Rita's record it's Montini's toughest foe yet, a Class 7A squad whose losses came against teams a combined 11-1. The Mustangs are a multi-headed force on defense, George Western strong on the line and Matt Callahan and Kempton Shine in the secondary. Coach Todd Kuska seeks more offensive balance from backs Tahrhon Haynes and Javon Venson, whose 389 combined rushing yards fall well behind Hayden Ekern's 575 yards passing. St. Rita's option offense plays at high tempo and tries to out-formation defenses but at the same time Montini coach Mike Bukovsky expects a slugfest. To increase Nick Fedanzo's 289 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns, offensively the Broncos will rely on linemen Jeremiah Banks-Wall, Mike McNicholas, Gianni Alfano, Colin Baker and Dagan Miller. St. Rita will be a tough test for quarterback Deontay Bell, off to a fast start with 5 touchdown passes on 23 attempts. This will not be like Montini outscoring its prior foes 176-3.
Next week: St. Rita at Brother Rice; Montini at Loyola.
Wheaton Warrenville South (4-0, 2-0) at Batavia (4-0, 2-0)
DuKane Conference
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last week: WW South 27, St. Charles East 14; Batavia 42, Glenbard North 12.
Last year: Did not play.
Outlook: WW South proved itself by beating the previously unbeaten Saints, but this is a much stiffer test against the defending Class 7A champion. The Tigers come in with a defense that's forced 16 turnovers as the offense has committed none. Linemen Jack Kelly, Isiah Brown-Dietzman and Chase Keating have combined for 48 tackles but they'll need to slow a diverse Bulldogs offense. While QB Jack Meyers has thrown for 628 yards, the run game has piled up 948 yards. The versatility really shows when they put linebackers Michael Jansey Jr., committed to Northwestern, and Luke Weerts, a North Dakota State recruit, in the backfield as part of a power game. Tigers running back Jake Arthurs, who has 327 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, has become a go-to guy for the offense. Quarterback Noah Henkel has thrown for 4 touchdowns, with Tiwan Smith developing into a big-play threat. If special teams becomes a factor, the Tigers have a top-shelf kicker in Jack Olsen.
Next week: WW South at Wheaton North; Geneva at Batavia.
Addison Trail (0-4, 0-1) at Downers Grove South (1-3, 1-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Both sides are good at moving the ball but struggle to finish drives. The Blazers hope for a spark with the return from injury of Pablo Mosely, Vince Daudelin and Dennis Ionikov. Kyle Heavey and Vinny Provenzano are factors in Downers South's passing game.
Bishop McNamara (3-1, 1-1) at St. Francis (4-0, 1-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: St. Francis hasn't started a season 4-0 since 2000. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, linebacker Michael Bumpus and safety Ben Radel continue to impress. They'll need their A game in order to outscore McNamara, driven after a last-minute loss to ICCP.
DePaul (0-4) at Wheaton Academy (2-2)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Three turnovers and 90 yards of penalties against St. Francis scuttled Ben Thorson's 243 yards passing, 87 of them plus a touchdown to receiver Justin Hocker. The Warriors' defensive pass rush improved as the game wore on, aided by blitzing Jay Callentine.
Downers Grove North (2-2, 1-1) at Glenbard West (3-1, 1-0)Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: The Trojans haven't mounted much of a pass attack, but Drew Cassens and Jon Werthman last week combined for 140 rushing yards. Somehow they have to keep Glenbard West's Tyquan Cox and that offense off the field. Last week they piled up 500 yards.
Elgin (0-4, 0-4) at West Chicago (0-4, 0-4)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: One of these Upstate Eight squads is headed for playoff elimination. Wildcats quarterback Luke Krogh's 362 yards passing last week may have Elgin backpedaling. That could create space for back Jordan Garcia behind senior linemen Joe Orr and John Karwoski.
Elmwood Park (3-1, 1-1) at Fenton (2-2, 0-0)Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Against this Metro Suburban Red usual suspect Fenton aims to continue its offensive balance by Kyle Cacioppo throwing to Diamon King and Andre Bess, with Jimmy Deckert and Ethan Doliente on the ground. Last week Gio Mendoza returned a fumble 67 yards to score.
Glenbard North (0-4, 0-2) at Wheaton North (2-2, 1-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Panthers try to avoid playoff disqualification. Mike Wellman can flip a field by punting, and he blocked one of Batavia's. Wheaton North linebacker Xander Mueller and lineman Jacob Secrest are developing into two of the best defensive players in the DKC.
Glenbard South (3-1, 3-1) at Larkin (3-1, 3-1)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Elgin Memorial Stadium.
The quick hit: This may be an Upstate Eight QB showdown between Nick Plaso and Larkin's Jaxon Aubrey. Raiders safeties Miles Horton and Gavin Fitzpatrick will be ready as will cornerbacks Tajuan McKinnie, Aleandro Lopez, Easton Lange. Larkin receiver Jahari Stubbs is tough.
IC Catholic Prep (4-0, 2-0) at Aurora Christian (4-0, 2-0)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: It's not like ICCP remembers Aurora Christian beating the Knights in the 2012 and 2013 playoffs, right? Kyle Franklin already has run for 592 yards and 11 touchdowns. Cornerbacks Steven Crady and Sean Hipskind will deal with shifty Eagles receiver Caleb Beebe.
Lake Park (1-3, 0-2) at St. Charles North (3-1, 2-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Injuries really hampered Lake Park in last week's overtime loss to Wheaton North, but the defense remained strong. They'll need to stand tall again. David Hardwick not only led the Lancers in rushing, he also played well on the defensive line last week.
Naperville Central (2-2, 0-0) at Metea Valley (0-4, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: After an 0-2 start the Redhawks are rolling with an ideal balance of quarterback Payton Thorne and running back Danny Hughes. Metea safety Max Reeves spells injured quarterback Patrick Straub to join Colin Wilcox and Elijah Wright in an improving run game.
Naperville North (1-3, 0-0) at Waubonsie Valley (4-0, 0-0)Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Playmakers are emerging for the Huskies led by receivers Matt Maschmeier and Matt Heinz. On defense it's Bo Richter. Defense is where Waubonsie is excelling. That unit gets deeper as tackle Alex Lemmons returns to join active end Garrett St. Clair.
Nazareth (4-0, 2-0) at Benet (3-1, 1-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Redwings must rebound quickly from a disappointing loss to Notre Dame if they hope to stay in the ESCC race. Benet quarterback Colin Gillespie has completed 62 percent of his passes with no picks, but he's contending with an elite Nazareth secondary.
Neuqua Valley (2-2) at Jacobs (3-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Good news for Neuqua up front: 6-6, 305 tackle Jake Bruner hopes to return from injury. The bad news: The Wildcats lost starter Sam Jourdan. Coach Bill Ellinghaus seeks better tackling, but last week at Normal Jake Boumans and Pete Cogan made 13 apiece.
Quincy Notre Dame (0-4) at Westmont (3-1)Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: On film Quincy has shown both run and pass. Either way, Westmont coach Dan Woulfe likes inside linebacker Gavin Carr's "heart and soul." Ishmay Kone ran for 132 yards against Wallaceburg, the first Sentinel over 100 since Troy Schlicher last season in Week 2.
York (2-2, 1-1) at Hinsdale Central (3-1, 2-0)Game time: noon Saturday.
The quick hit: A physical game against Glenbard West took a toll on York, which lost quarterback Joe Javorek among others to injury. Antonio Munoz is a key two-way player at tight end and linebacker. Last week Red Devils quarterback Matt Rush threw for 169 yards.