Scouting: Fox Valley's Week 4 football games
By Jerry Fitzpatrick and Dave Oberhelman
jfitzpatrick@dailyherald.com doberhelma@dailyherald.com
Streamwood (2-1, 2-1) at South Elgin (3-0, 3-0)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last year: South Elgin 55, Streamwood 0.
Last week: Streamwood 28, Fenton 21 (2 OT); South Elgin 47, Elgin 0.
Outlook: South Elgin coach Dragan Teonic recalled that in 2018 the Storm held Streamwood to minus-26 yards of offense. He doesn't expect that Friday. The deeper, improved Sabres run the ball exclusively - sophomore quarterback Andrew Phan is 0-3 passing - but within the flexbone triple-option there is balance between wingbacks Sirrion Dixon and Buddy Martinez, who last week finished within a yard of each other. On the season Dixon has run for 405 yards, 1 touchdown, Martinez at 312 yards, 3 touchdowns, and Phan with 5 touchdowns on 131 yards rushing. (Davidas Petreikis also ran hard on his second-overtime touchdown run against Fenton, a homecoming win clinched by Jakobe Strong's interception.) While Sabres right guard Josh Leathers and the offensive line must be physical at the point of attack coach Don Guindon stressed so too must Streamwood defenders such as linebacker T.J. Phan (Andrew's senior brother) and strong safety Teavion Martion. South Elgin has outscored foes 169-0, going mainly on the ground because they haven't much needed quarterback Ben Karpowicz's arm. Still, receivers Calin Gurau and Chris Mejia are ready if Streamwood contains Storm backs Corve King, Marquis Gillespie, Davion Cherwin and Karpowicz, a dual threat. South Elgin cornerback Shiking Marshall had a monster game against Elgin with 2 red zone interceptions, a 78-yard touchdown run off a reverse and an 82-yard touchdown return of the opening kick. Against Streamwood's ground game he'll be asked to support inside linebackers Vince Clinite and Sam Robles and defensive ends Dylan Bernal and Justin Giannini. Teonic could speak for both teams when saying the key is "maximizing possessions, because I don't think we're going to get a whole lot of them." The fewer possessions, the better for Streamwood.
Next week: Streamwood at East Aurora; South Elgin at Glenbard East.
Huntley (2-1, 2-1) at Cary-Grove (3-0, 3-0)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Cary-Grove 35, Huntley 20
Last week: Huntley 28, Prairie Ridge 24; Cary-Grove 49, Hampshire 0
Outlook: Points could be tough to come by in this tilt between Fox Valley Conference contenders with elite defenses. The Cary-Grove defense, led by linebackers Jake Johnson and Jacob Buck, shut out Crystal Lake South and Hampshire and allowed only 7 points to Crystal Lake Central. A Huntley defense spearheaded by linemen Matt Burba and Brad Walker and linebacker Rukkus Hunkins shut out McHenry and yielded 24 points against Jacobs and Prairie Ridge. "They are going to try to find weaknesses and attack it," Huntley coach Matt Zimolzak said of the Trojan offense, "but I don't know how many weaknesses we have on defense. One thing we do have is 11 hats to the ball. That's something we pride ourselves on. We just have to score." That job falls to a Huntley read-option offense directed by quarterback Bruno Bosman. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior has thrown for 308 yards and 4 touchdowns on 27-of-56 passing and rushed for 239 yards and 6 touchdowns. Bosman has completed passes to eight receivers, most notably senior Joey Cauldren (10 rec., 114 yards, 1 touchdown), junior Alex Denniston (6-82-2) and 6-foot-5 senior Cade Whiteside (6-49-0). Junior running back Ryder Havens has rushed for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns on 58 carries by following a big, physical offensive line. "They have a pretty good combination of power and speed with that offensive line and the guys they have catching the ball," Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. The Trojans average 37.3 points per game, led by quarterback Luke Eleftheriou, a defensive player last year who gets sharper and more efficient with each practice and game rep, his coach said. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound senior has rushed for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns on 21 carries (11.6 avg.) and completed 7 of 10 passes for 107 yards and a score. Senior fullback Blake Skol has rushed 56 times for 378 yards (6.8 avg.) and 7 touchdowns.
Next week: Crystal Lake South at Huntley; Cary-Grove at Dundee-Crown
Glenbard North (1-2, 1-0) at Batavia (2-1, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Batavia 42, Glenbard North 12
Last week: Glenbard North 21, St. Charles East 7; Batavia 56, Lake Park 0
Outlook: These coaching staffs are familiar with each other. The programs met in DuKane Conference play last season and in the first round of the 2017 playoffs, both Batavia wins. The Bulldogs also won three closely contested nonconference games against the Panthers between 2012-14. Batavia coach Dennis Piron knows what to expect. "Coach (Ryan) Wilkens likes to play a physical brand of football and make you defend for four quarters," he said. "Glenbard North plays really, really good defense, they play power offense, churn out first downs, they have backs that can run and a nice scheme. They're a tough, physical football team." Senior running back Jordan McQuarter scored the first of 3 second-half touchdowns as Glenbard North snapped a 12-game slide that began with the 2017 playoff loss to Batavia. Three-sport athlete Cordell Smiley rushed for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns. Batavia's defense counters with senior outside linebacker Quinn Urwiler (North Dakota) and junior inside linebacker Matt Weerts, who was recently offered by Central Michigan. Urwiler, who has 2 interceptions, averages 4.3 tackles per game, Weerts 7.3. Safety Sam Barus leads the defense with 7.7 tackles per game. Batavia has scored 91 points the last two weeks. Quinn Urwiler leads the team with 232 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Fellow three-year varsity performer Art Taylor enters with 180 rushing yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Kyle Oroni has rushed for 2 touchdowns and completed 26 of 55 attempts (47.3%) for 317 yards and 3 scores. Neuqua Valley transfer Vincenzo Meschi has completed 4 of 7 attempts for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Next week: Wheaton North at Glenbard North; Batavia at Wheaton Warrenville South
St. Edward (1-2, 1-0) at Elmwood Park (2-1, 1-0)
Game time: 6 p.m. Friday.
Last year: St. Edward 25, Elmwood Park 22
Last week: St. Edward 63, Christ the King 0; Elmwood Park 41, Ridgewood 13
Outlook: Both teams are coming off one-sided victories in their respective Metro Suburban Red openers a week ago. Seven players scored for the Green Wave in their first victory of the season. Next, they face one of the main obstacles in their pursuit of a second straight conference title. Elmwood Park returns a sizable chunk of the players who lost to St. Edward by 3 points last season in Elgin. The Tigers went on to finish 8-3. Cortes Draper, a transfer from IC Catholic Prep, last week rushed for over 100 yards and scored 3 touchdowns while filling in for injured starting running back David Neira. The offense is directed by 6-foot-1 senior quarterback Michael Stranski, whose favorite target is 6-foot-1, 175-pound receiver Keon Grimes. "(Stranski) is a big kid who can run as well as throw," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "And he has a couple of playmakers at receiver. But our secondary has a good nose for the ball. I think our guys can make some plays too." The Wave defense has hauled down 9 interceptions in the last two games. Clem McCullough leads the team with 3 picks. Fellow defensive backs Liam Pomeroy and Joe Sacco have 2 each. Rolando said the matchups along the line of scrimmage are fairer from a size perspective than what the Wave faced the first two weeks of the season against Bremen (3-0) and Wheaton Academy (2-1). "The line of scrimmage ought to be pretty equal," he said. "Both teams will probably try to establish a running game. We were pretty tested the first two weeks so we'll see if that mentality holds true and has prepared us for this week."
Next week: Guerin at St. Edward; Westmont at Elmwood Park
Riverside-Brookfield (2-1, 0-1) at Aurora Christian (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 6 p.m. Friday.
Last year: Aurora Christian 6, Riverside-Brookfield 2
Last week: Bishop McNamara 56, Riverside-Brookfield 26; Aurora Christian 66, Aurora Central Catholic 0
Outlook: This is the second meeting between these schools since Aurora Christian joined the Metro Suburban Conference's Blue Division. The Eagles squeaked one out last season in a low-scoring affair. The Bulldogs opened the campaign with a 40-28 win at Morton and a 26-21 victory at Wauconda. Facing a school with a 1,600-student enrollment will be a challenge for 235-student Aurora Christian, whose first three opponents (Gary Roosevelt, Ind., Urban Prep/Bronzeville and Aurora Central Catholic) have a combined 0-10 record. Are the Eagles ready for the step up in competition level? "I think we're ready but you never really know until you put a team into the fire," coach David Beebe said. "I will say that I've been very pleased with what I've seen thus far. We've only given up 7 points." Senior Bryce Henderson (6-foot-7, 275 pounds) leads the defense with 20 tackles (4.5 for loss), followed by junior Caleb Kok (16). Seniors Angel Jaimes and Tatum Weston have registered 15 tackles apiece. Offensively, versatile running back Josh Dornink has rushed 17 times for 221 yards (13 avg.) and 4 touchdowns. The speedy sophomore also has 5 receptions for a team-best 117 receiving yards and 2 scores.
Next week: Riverside-Brookfield at Aurora Central Catholic; Aurora Christian at IC Catholic Prep
Elgin (0-3, 0-3) at Bartlett (2-1, 2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Miscues ended several Elgin red zone possessions against South Elgin. Xavier Bonds is almost guaranteed yardage, but Bartlett's Nick Bucaro, Joey Latrofa and Nick Mangoni aim to limit passing quarterback Gio Griffin and scrambler Jeffery Lomax.
West Chicago (0-3, 0-3) at Larkin (0-3, 0-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Playing well in defeat, Larkin hopes continued improvement creates a homecoming win. Dontrell Maxie showed moxie throwing touchdown passes to Steven Skeate and Kione Williams-Sowers. Their top test will be West Chicago's passing game.
West Aurora (1-2) at Romeoville (0-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Will Tammaru-to-Logan Mont connection - 5 catches, 183 yards, 2 touchdowns - helped deliver the Blackhawks' first victory, 48-6 over Joliet Central. More good news: Four-year starting running back Trevon Tittle is back from injury.
Chicago Christian (3-0) at Aurora Central Catholic (0-3)
Game time: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Chargers face the only undefeated team in the Metro Suburban Red in this league crossover. The Knights are coming off a 28-27 win at Guerin. ACC senior linebacker Drew Babler leads the team with 22 tackles, 3 for a loss. Junior wide receiver Colby Metcalf has 13 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown.
Geneva (0-3, 0-1) at St. Charles North (2-1, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: St. Charles North won this DuKane Conference matchup 24-13 in Geneva last season. The Vikings hope to return the favor on homecoming night for the North Stars. North senior quarterback Kyler Brown has completed 37 of 67 passing attempts for 524 yards and a touchdown.
Kaneland (2-1, 0-1) at Sandwich (2-1, 0-1)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Kaneland is coming off a 35-14 Interstate Eight Conference loss to Sycamore. Junior Jack McIntire has rushed for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns in 36 attempts (6.3 avg.). Previously undefeated Sandwich last week was beaten 52-7 by LaSalle-Peru in its league opener.
St. Ignatius (2-1) at Marmion (3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Cadets play their first game in the White Division of the new CCL/ESCC, which also includes Fenwick and Joliet Catholic. Marmion is off to a 3-0 start for the second time in three seasons. The Wolfpack lost 35-6 at Benet Academy last week.
Wheaton Warrenville South (3-0, 1-0) at St. Charles East (2-1, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Saints aim to rebound from a 21-7 loss at Glenbard North. They are 2-0 on home turf this season. Sophomore quarterback Nathan Hayes (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) has completed 42 of 78 passing attempts for 620 yards. Four players have 100-plus receiving yards, led by Clay Conn's 147.
Burlington Central (1-2, 1-2) at Crystal Lake Central (1-2, 1-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Rockets have been competitive in Fox Valley Conference road games. They won at Dundee-Crown in Week 1 and lost a 31-22 decision at McHenry last week. Sophomore running back Gavin Sarvis has followed his big offensive line for 295 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns in 47 attempts (6.2 avg.).
Hampshire (0-3, 0-3) at Crystal Lake South (1-2, 1-2)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Hampshire is tasked with stopping senior wide receiver Ian Gorken, whose area-leading 24 receptions have translated to 296 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Whip-Purs had the misfortune of opening the season against Jacobs (3-0), Prairie Ridge (2-1) and Cary-Grove (3-0).
Dundee-Crown (0-3, 0-3) at Prairie Ridge (2-1, 2-1)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: Prairie Ridge last season won this matchup 70-55 in the highest-scoring game in Fox Valley Conference history. A repeat shootout seems unlikely on homecoming night in Crystal Lake. The Chargers have scored 30 total points in losses to Burlington Central, McHenry and Jacobs.
McHenry (2-1, 2-1) at Jacobs (3-0, 3-0)
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.
The quick hit: The Jacobs offense is balanced. Senior fullback Jacob Mobeck and sophomore running back Nasir Canty have combined to rush for 429 yards and 7 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Cole Bhardwaj has thrown for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns. Junior Max Stec has 11 receptions for 298 yards and 4 scores.
Polo (3-0) at Westminster Christian (1-2)
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: The Warriors look to win their second straight 8-man football game on homecoming day in Elgin. Junior Mitch McGrath scored on a 55-yard strip and fumble return, recovered 2 fumbles and caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from Peter DeFalco in last week's 27-0 win over Alden-Hebron.