Scouting Week 2 Fox Valley football games
South Elgin (0-1) at Batavia (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Bulldogs: Batavia showed in its 35-28 victory over Glenbard West that despite losing a lot of talent from last season, the Bulldogs are still just as good – even if they didn’t play like they usually do. Running back Nathan Whitwell did a majority of the heavy lifting with his 35 carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns. The defense also put on a clinic with five turnovers, an onside kick recovery, and a touchdown of its own. Now that the team is heading into Week 2, it’ll be interesting to see if the offense will keep the ball on the ground with Whitwell, or if the Bulldogs will open up the playbook and allow quarterback Bodi Anderson to show off his arm against a team that struggled against the pass last week.
About the Storm: After losing 64-21 to Barrington in Week 1, the Storm find themselves at 0-1 for the first time since 2016, when they lost to St. Charles East. This week won’t be much easier when they head down to Batavia for the first time since 2017, where they lost 10-7. Wide receiver Ishmael George showed that he’s still a threat on the field last week, picking up three touchdowns and 125 receiving yards against the Class 8A semifinalists. With the Bulldogs’ secondary potentially not having Josh Kahley back there for the second straight week, George could see a lot of footballs coming his way.
Lemont (0-1) at Geneva (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About Lemont: Lemont has played a rigorous nonconference slate for several seasons, but this might be one of the most difficult versions of it that it has undertaken. Libertyville overwhelmed Lemont in Week 1 and it appears things won’t get any easier in Week 2 against a very good Geneva team. Lemont is still working in some new players at critical position and the learning curve will have to be swift for Lemont to get things on track before South Suburban conference play begins which is usually where Lemont thrives.
About the Vikings: Geneva has drawn a lot of attention recently for being the home to Georgia-bound wide receiver Talyn Taylor, but he’s far from the only weapon on the Vikings roster. Geneva piled up an astonishing six touchdowns in the first quarter and probably could have named the score in rolling to a 63-0 victory over Larkin in Week 1. The nature of the game led to the starters only playing that first quarter, but starting QB Tony Chahino still managed to go 6-for-7 for 164 yards and four touchdowns in that time.
St. Charles East (0-1) at Wheaton Academy (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Saints: While the Saints were the only team in the DuKane Conference to lose after falling to Lincoln-Way Central 56-40, they still put up an impressive display on offense. It was the first time that the Saints put up 40 points in a game since a 42-7 victory over Lake Park in Week 9 of 2018. JT Padron passed for 342 yards, completing 20-of-34 attempts with five resulting in touchdowns in the loss in his impressive first start. With Wheaton Academy closing out a tough opening slate before conference play, it should be interesting to see if the Saints can keep the offensive momentum moving.
About the Warriors: The Warriors won the matchup handily last season 41-23 in a season where they made it to the Class 4A semifinals. This season, they’ll enter the matchup with an 0-1 record after suffering a 19-17 defeat to Second Baptist from Houston, with the Eagles getting the game-winning safety in the fourth quarter. Nathan Downey is under center for the Warriors after they graduated Brett Kasper. In his first game starting, Downey finished with 250 passing yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Kiebels returns at running back after recording 13 scores on the ground from last year, including two against the Saints.
Crete Monee (0-1) at St. Charles North (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the North Stars: The North Stars needed a 99-yard drive in under two minutes to take down Palatine 28-27 in Week 1. Ethan Plumb connected with Keaton Reinke for the TD and with Braden Harms for the game-winning two-point conversion. North won the matchup 29-14 last season, with running back Joell Holloman getting 105 rushing yards and a touchdown after the North Stars relied on Plumb to defeat Palatine the week before. With the North Stars having a similar scenario play out this season, don’t be surprised if Holloman breaks out again against the Warriors.
About the Warriors: While the North Stars were on the winning side of a 1-point score difference, the Warriors found themselves on the wrong side of one with a 27-26 loss to Richards in Week 1. Outside of the playoffs, the Warriors have lost five straight games against non-conference opponents, with their list win coming against Plainfield North in 2021.
Burlington Central (0-1, 0-1) at Dundee-Crown (1-0, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Rockets: Central managed only a field goal in a 27-3 loss to defending Class 6A state champion Cary-Grove in Week 1. The Rockets’ defense allowed over 300 yards on the ground. … QB Jackson Alcorn was 7-of-24 passing for 78 yards. His top target was WR Caden West, who had four catches for 52 yards.
About the Chargers: D-C beat Crystal Lake South 20-14, the program’s first win over the Gators since the shortened spring season of 2021. RB Terrion Spencer had a rushing TD and a passing TD. RB Kadin Malone (98 yards) led the team in rushing and scored on a 14-yard run. He left the game with cramps and missed most of the second half. ... OL/DL Zach Anderson had a sack and tackle for loss. … Hayden DeMarsh had 84 yards passing in his first varsity start at QB.
Crystal Lake Central (0-1, 0-1) at Cary-Grove (1-0, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the the Tigers: Central lost to Huntley 35-7 in Week 1. The Tigers struggled to move the ball and didn’t get a first down until the eight-minute mark of the second quarter. … QB Aidan Niederkorn entered on the final drive and completed 8 of 10 passes for 80 yards, finding Ben Freese for a 20-yard score with 12.1 seconds left in the game.
About the Trojans: C-G opened with a 27-3 win against Burlington Central. … Ostin Hansen had an interception on Central’s first passing play. QB Peyton Seaburg ran for three touchdowns and 137 yards. … Jadon Apgar, the team’s kicker, started at fullback for the Trojans after regular starter Logan Abrams dressed but missed the game with an injury suffered in practice. RB Holden Boone also missed the game for an international CrossFit competition in Alabama.
Prairie Ridge (1-0, 1-0) at Crystal Lake South (0-1, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Wolves: Prairie Ridge defeated Jacobs 17-0, the second year in a row the Wolves shut out the Golden Eagles. It was Mike Frericks’ head coaching debut at the school. … Luke Vanderwiel, making his first start at QB, led all players with 146 yards on the ground, scoring on a 55-yard TD run on fourth-and-3 and adding a 1-yard TD. … Prairie Ridge had 293 yards, and the defense held Jacobs to 174 total yards. RB Jake Wagler added 83 yards on the ground, and FB Jack Finn had 56. … LBs Jace Kranig and Giovanni Creatore each had a sack. DL Gavin Tinch had three tackles and tackle for loss.
About the Gators: South lost to Dundee-Crown 20-14 to open the season. RB Logan Miller had 56 yards rushing and a TD that gave the Gators a 7-6 lead. … AJ Demirov played all over the field, getting reps at RB and QB, and scored on a 35-yard run for the game’s final points. He led the team with 62 yards on the ground.
Jacobs (0-1, 0-1) at Hampshire (1-0, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Golden Eagles: Jacobs was shut out by Prairie Ridge for the second year in a row, losing 17-0. FB Caden DuMelle led the team with 100 yards on 12 carries. OL/DL Vince DeLordo had a standout game on defense. … QB Connor Goehring was 3-for-5 passing for 35 yards. T.O. Boddie had 21 yards receiving and 20 yards rushing.
About the Whip-Purs: Hampshire earned a 17-16 win in overtime against McHenry as the Whips came up with a stop on a 2-point try to clinch the win. Hampshire was without top RB Cole Klawikowski, who missed the game with an injury. Coach Shane Haak did not say when Klawikowski would be back. … The Whips still had a strong run game – 256 yards on 44 carries. Tymere Marshall was the primary ball carrier with 120 yards on 22 carries. Arshawn Rupert scored on a 10-yard run on the first play of OT.
McHenry (0-1, 0-1) at Huntley (1-0, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Warriors: McHenry lost a heartbreaker in Week 1 to Hampshire 17-16 in OT. The Warriors were stopped on a 2-point try in the extra time after scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Dayton Warren to Jeff Schwab. … Schwab led the team with 57 yards on 13 carries and had two interceptions on defense. … RB Nolan Chovanec added a 26-yard TD run.
About the Red Raiders: Huntley cruised to a 35-7 win against Crystal Lake Central in its opener. QB Braylon Bower was 10-of-19 passing for 205 yards and three scores. Two of his TDs were to WR Wyatt Fleck, who had three catches for over 100 yards. … Reichen Dvorak (70 yards) and Gavin Havens (104) added TD runs. … DL/LB Travis Dudycha had two sacks. Charles Condon III intercepted the first pass of the game.
Wauconda (1-0) at Kaneland (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Bulldogs: Wauconda went 8-3 last year. One of those losses was at the hands of the Knights, 40-13 in Wauconda. The Bulldogs opened the season with a 44-34 shootout win against Hinsdale South. Logan Olsen is back for the Bulldogs at quarterback, a three-year starter who was all-Northern Lake County Conference last year. Running back Kaden Pemberson returns after missing most of last year as well.
About the Knights: Kaneland knocked off Washington last week, 20-14 after the Panthers reached the Class 6A semifinals a year ago. Now they face a fellow 6A second-round qualifier from a year ago after winning at Wauconda last season. Chase Kruckenberg was 12 of 15 for 162 yards and two touchdowns in his debut as the everyday starter. Carter Grabowski led the ground attack with 55 yards on 13 carries and Sam Bruno hit field goals from 28 and 35 yards for the win. The secondary had a big day, with Jackson Little forcing a pair of interceptions and Luke Gadomski coming up with one.
West Aurora (1-0) at Glenbard East (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Glenbard East won, 17-13, in 2018.
About the Blackhawks: The arrow is pointing upward for the Blackhawks, whose 83-member varsity squad is the most they have had in 14 years. In addition to possessing a game-breaking, wide receiver in Terrence Smith (who just committed to Iowa this week) and an up-and-coming junior quarterback in Mason Atkins, the Blackhawks field an improved defensive unit. Jordan Martino’s strip and 9-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and Nicholas Weisse’s 16-yard interception for a TD highlighted last weekend’s 53-0 triumph over Proviso East. Defensive lineman Jesse Estrella added 5 tackles, as the Blackhawks recorded 3 takeaways and limited the Pirates to minus-10 yards rushing – lowest for WA since 1955. They figure to be tested by a Rams team that displayed big-play ability during last week’s 30-23 win over Willowbrook.
About the Rams: Coach John Walters’ squad enjoyed a breakthrough season of sorts last fall, recording a 10-2 mark and Class 7A state quarterfinal appearance. Despite losing several standouts to graduation, the Rams still have their share of game breakers, led by wide receiver Chris Renford and wide receiver/return specialist Amonte Cook. Renford caught a 57-yard touchdown pass, and Cook added a 57-yard kick return against Willowbrook last weekend. Meanwhile, quarterback Michael Nee enjoyed his first varsity start, completing 20 of 37 for 317 yards and 3 TDs. After Willowbrook grabbed a 23-22 lead on a late touchdown, the Rams showed their resilience, rallying to win on Nee’s 23-yard TD pass to junior Muhammad Musleh with 2 seconds remaining. This has the potential to be one of the area’s top games of Week 2.
Bartlett (0-1) at Lake Park (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Bartlett won, 21-13, in 2012.
About the Hawks: These teams have not met since they were both members of the Upstate Eight Valley in 2012. Quarterback Vincent Yario directs the Hawks’ attack, stymied during last weekend’s 17-0 loss to Glenbard North. While recovering a fumbled kickoff, Bartlett hurt itself on special teams with a fumbled snap on a field goal attempt and had a punt blocked in the fourth quarter.
About the Lancers: Tailback Robert Munaco kick-started the Lancers’ offense with 3 touchdown runs during last weekend’s 41-14 victory over Conant. Now, the Lancers look to improve to 2-0 against Bartlett. “It’s really exciting – it’s kind of a regional matchup that we haven’t had the ability to do before,” said Lancers coach Chris Kirkpatrick.
Elgin (0-1) at Grayslake North (1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Scouting this game: Knights signal-caller Mitch Hughes got it done with his arm and feet last week, hitting on 13 of 15 passes for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns and also ran in another score. Cam Bates was the key beneficiary of Hughes’ pinpoint accuracy, hauling in 6 balls for 128 yards and 1 touchdown. Elgin lost 35-14 to Fenton in Week 1 and is 1-9 over its last 10 games dating back to last season.
East Aurora (0-1) at Glenbard South (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Glenbard South won, 56-21, last season.
About the Tomcats: The Tomcats look to get back on track following last weekend’s 34-6 season-opening loss to Maine East.
About the Raiders: Sophomore Tommy Bauman finished 11 of 21 for 89 yards in his first varsity start at quarterback against Wheaton Warrenville South. These teams are now Upstate Eight crossover foes following the split into separate divisions.
St. Patrick (0-1) at Larkin (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Shamrocks: Junior linebacker John Coyne led the Shamrocks’ defense with 5 ½ tackles during last weekend’s 15-13 loss to Niles Notre Dame.
About the Royals: Larkin seeks a faster start after allowing 6 first-quarter touchdowns during last weekend’s 63-0 loss to Geneva. Royals coach Vincent Ray remains optimistic. “I’m seeing a lot of positive things from my guys, and I just want us to keep growing,” said Ray.
Streamwood (0-1) at Fenton (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Streamwood won, 30-14, last season.
About the Sabres: Streamwood looks to score its first points of the season following last weekend’s 28-0 loss to Addison Trail.
About the Bison: Veteran quarterback Nathan Stewart passed for 255 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns in Fenton’s 34-14 win over Elgin last weekend – a win that snapped a 10-game losing streak. Fenton’s defense recorded 3 interceptions against Elgin.
Chicago Crane (1-0) at Aurora Christian (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Cougars: Leading 12-6 at halftime last week, the Cougars scored 24 unanswered points during their 36-6 win over Englewood STEM.
About the Eagles: Quarterback Asa Johnson competed 17 of 25 passes for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Eagles’ 24-19 victory over Ottawa Marquette last weekend. The Eagles hope to begin their home season on a positive note.
Dwight/Gardner South Wilmington (1-0) at St. Edward (0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Dwight/Gardner South Wilmington won, 40-14, last season.
About the Panthers: The Panthers began their season with a 49-0 win over Dakota last weekend.
About the Green Wave: Senior quarterback Brayden Collins-Langfield displayed his elusiveness in the pocket during last week’s 20-8 loss to ACC. Charlie Elwood finished with 117 receiving yards, while Michael Cones tallied St. Edward’s lone TD.
Aurora Central Catholic (1-0) at Christ the King (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Chargers: Aurora Central Catholic opened its season with a 20-8 nonconference victory over St. Edward last weekend, building a 20-0 third-quarter lead while keeping the Green Wave in numerous long-yardage situations.
About the Gladiators: Last season’s 3-6 record was the best in the Gladiators’ 6-year varsity football history. A week ago, they scored 3 touchdowns of 29 or more yards in their 44-0 win over Walther Christian.
The Noble Academy (0-1) at Marmion (1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Cadets: The Cadets came back from a 15-0 deficit at halftime to take down Oak Forest 21-15 and secure their first win under head coach Adam Guerra. Quarterback Kamron Tolliver finished his first start under center with three touchdowns, including his 39-yard throw to Bryan Scales to take the lead with 1:47 left before Colin McInerney got the game-sealing interception just 10 seconds later.
About the Griffins: The Griffins started their first full season since 2018 with not the best start after suffering a 72-8 blowout at the hands of St. Laurence, which was a game that ended with a 2-0 loss last year. The Griffins bounced back from last season’s loss with an 80-6 victory over DRW College Prep.
- Alex Kantecki, Joel Boenitz and Eddie Carifio from Shaw Local contributed to this story.