Scouting Week 3 DuPage County football games
Andrew (1-1) at Naperville Central (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Thunderbolts: After finishing 7-4 and reaching the second round of the Class 8A playoffs in 2022, the Thunderbolts got off to a fast 3-1 start last season before finishing with a 5-game losing skid. Andrew defeated Thornwood 53-6 in its season opener before falling to Lincoln-Way West last weekend despite a fumble recovery for a touchdown by middle linebacker TJ Burke.
About the Redhawks: Trailing 21-13 after 3 quarters last week against crosstown rival Naperville North, the Redhawks rallied for a 24-21 victory, sealed by Gavin Ellison’s 25-yard field goal with 1:25 remaining. Now, the Redhawks hope to avoid an emotional letdown in their Southwest Valley Red debut. St. Francis transfer DeShaun Williams caught a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Sebastian Hayes against the Huskies, while tailback Aiden Clark has rushed for 424 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first 2 games.
Waubonsie Valley (2-0) at Bradley-Bourbonnais (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Warriors: This is the Southwest Valley Conference Green debut for both teams. Josh Tinney and Nate Cerilli both had pick-6s, part of the Warriors’ 5 takeaways, during last week’s 50-0 win over Plainfield East.
About the Boilermakers: Led by quarterback Gavin Kohl and tailback Kenvontae Sutton, Bradley-Bourbonnais is off to a 2-0 start. The Boilermakers also own a win over Plainfield East – 53-14 in Week 1.
Lincoln-Way West (2-0, 1-0) at Metea Valley (1-1, 0-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Warriors: Lincoln-Way West has been spreading the wealth this season and used that philosophy to separate itself from Andrew in Week 2. The Warriors led just 20-13 at the break but limited Andrew to one second-half touchdown while tacking on three more themselves. Four Warriors scored touchdowns, with two-score efforts being turned in by Jahan Abubakar and DeAndre Coates.
About the Mustangs: Metea Valley burst out of the gates in a Week 2 matchup with Plainfield Central building a 17-0 lead after the first quarter and then rolling to a comfortable win to even out its record. QB Jake MacLeod has been steady for the Mustangs to start the season and recorded four touchdown passes in the Plainfield Central victory. Metea is showing significant progress from last year’s 0-9 effort, but this will be a great measuring stick game to see how far the team really has come.
Lockport (1-1) at Neuqua Valley (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Porters: Lockport has had a pair of fast starts in games this season, then had to scratch and claw to try to hang out. That blueprint worked in the season opener in a win over Plainfield North but couldn’t be repeated in Week 2. Wheaton North converted a risky 2-point conversion with about two minutes to play to emerge with a one-point win. Lockport scored on its first two possessions of the game but didn’t score again until just over three minutes remained. RB Johnny Wesolowski had his second consecutive strong game, rushing for 123 yards on 23 carries with two scores.
About the Wildcats: Neuqua Valley lost a heartbreaker in Week 2 with a last-second field goal by Minooka sending them to 0-2. The Wildcats have scuffled so far this season on offense with just 20 points scored through two games. That’s something they are going to have to correct in a hurry, as the schedule gets no easier for them over the next few weeks.
Naperville North (1-1) at Lincoln-Way Central (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Huskies: Naperville North was yet another team whose fate was decided by a late field goal, as it dropped a decision to fierce rival Naperville Central. The Huskies have been pretty potent on offense thus far. QB Jacob Bell threw for well over 300 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Plainfield East transfer WR Quinn Morris, who, along with teammate Chico Thomas, racked up over 100 yards receiving in the narrow loss.
About the Knights: Lincoln-Way Central had a brutal first half in the “Route 30 Super Bowl” against Providence and wasn’t able to overcome a lack of offense and a costly miscue. A stronger second half was provided by the Knights, as a pair of touchdown passes from Drew Woodburn helped the Knights pull within a field goal, but they would get no closer in a 23-14 loss.
Bartlett (0-2) at Glenbard East (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Glenbard East won, 41-7, last season.
About the Hawks: Bartlett is looking for its first points of the season following back-to-back shutout losses to Glenbard North and Lake Park. The Hawks need to improve in all 3 phases – giving up a special teams touchdown on a botched snap/catch against Lake Park last weekend.
About the Rams: The Rams showed some explosiveness during last week’s loss to West Aurora – Amonte Cook had a 91-yard kick return for a touchdown caught a 41-yard TD pass, and Chris Renford hauled in a 29-yard TD pass from Michael Nee. However, Glenbard East also allowed 229 rushing yards, an area that needs to be bolstered against the Hawks’ multi-back attack.
Fenton (2-0) at Elmwood Park (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Bison: Senior quarterback Nathan Stewart has led the Bison to their first 2-0 start since 2019. Fenton has outscored its first two opponents, 78-22 and will be playing its first Upstate Eight East contest.
About the Tigers: Elmwood Park’s defense has allowed 118 points in 2 games, including 69 in its season-opening loss to Woodstock North.
West Chicago (2-0) at Glenbard South (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Glenbard South won, 48-6, last season.
About the Wildcats: West Chicago has done it all on both sides of the ball, recording back-to-back shutouts while rushing for a school-record 622 yards in last week’s 57-28 win over Joliet Central. Senior tailback Robert Lee rushed for 293 yards on 21 carries with 3 touchdowns, while quarterback Carter Naranjo added 173 yards on the ground with 4 TDs.
About the Raiders: This is the Upstate Eight East debut for both teams, and it shapes up to be an intriguing matchup. Tailback Vontae Clark scored 4 touchdowns in the Raiders’ 41-7 victory over East Aurora last weekend. Freshman Elijah Donahue is a threat on special teams as well as in the backfield, while quarterback Tommy Bauman directs the attack.
Benet (2-0) at DeLaSalle (1-1).
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Benet won, 20-12, last season.
About the Redwings: Benet’s offense was high powered for the second consecutive game last weekend, as quarterback Ryan Kubacki tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Luke Doyle, while Marty Radgowski scored 3 TDs – one on a fumble recovery in a 49-29 win over Moline. Benet overcame a fumble recovery for a score in its victory over DeLaSalle last season.
About the Meteors: It has been feast or famine for the Meteors during the first 2 weeks – losing 45-0 to Argo before last week’s 64-0 win over Foreman. Xavier Williams and Steve Holmes are the Meteors’ top tailbacks.
Chicago Christian (2-0) at Wheaton Academy (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Wheaton Academy won, 35-0, last season.
About the Knights: A Class 2A playoff qualifier last season, the Knights are off to a 2-0 start behind 5-foot-7 senior tailback Kenny Jager and senior quarterback Christian Flutman. Senior linebacker Brock Sperling anchors the Knights’ defense.
About the Warriors: Coming off their 28-17 win over nonconference foe St. Charles East last weekend – their second in as many seasons – the Warriors look to continue their winning ways behind quarterback Nathan Downey, who passed for 232 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Saints. WR Zach Moravec and RB Brandon Kiebles support the offensive unit, while senior Jeremiah Johanik recorded 11 tackles last weekend.
IC Catholic Prep (2-0) at St. Ignatius (1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Knights: The Knights have yet to play a game in Illinois this season. After edging St. Mary’s 27-26 in their season opener in St. Louis, the Knights earned a 1-0 forfeit win over Chicago Military Academy-Bronzeville last weekend.
About the Wolfpack: Senior quarterback Jack Wanzung has shown the ability to string together some long runs, highlighted by his 54-yard TD scamper in the season opener against St. Louis University.
Montini (2-0) at Marist (2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Marist won, 37-7, in 2022.
About the Broncos: Off to a 2-0 start that included back-to-back shutouts, the Broncos face a stern test against a Marist team fresh from victories over Morgan Park and Brother Rice. Last weekend, senior defensive back Vince Irion led the way with 13 tackles, including 2 for a loss, and added a 56-yard interception return for a TD. A Broncos’ defense with 11 returning starters has posted back-to-back shutouts to start the season. Defensive lineman JC Hayes had nine tackles, including three for loss. JoJo James rushed for 112 yards and Isaiah Mason had four catches for 81 yards and a TD. Montini is ranked fifth in the Associated Press Class 3A poll.
About the RedHawks: Mike Fitzgerald returned to Marist this season after spending the past 6 years as head coach at York, where he guided the Dukes to back-to-back Class 8A state semifinal appearances. Marist finished 4-5 a year ago. RedHawks quarterback Jacob Ritter has plenty of weapons to choose from, including WRs Gavin O’Brochta, Brendan Doran, and TE Stephan Brown.
St. Francis (2-0) at Loyola Academy (1-1)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Spartans: Nobody can accuse Spartans coach Bob McMillen of softening his team’s schedule. St. Francis, off to a 2-0 start for the second time in 3 years, prepares to face 2-time defending Class 8A state champion Loyola Academy after taking on eventual 7A state runner-up Downers Grove North in last year’s season opener (the Spartans lost, 27-22). Last Saturday, the Spartans rolled to a 42-0 victory over Lift for Life Academy in St. Louis, as junior quarterback Brady Palmer found multiple targets in Ian Willis, Dario Milivojevic, and Zach Washington. The 5A Spartans will need a big game from tailback TyVonn Ransom on a short week against a deep, talented Loyola roster.
About the Ramblers: Apparently, Loyola got the message loud and clear. Following the Ramblers’ season-opening, 34-7 loss to East St. Louis - snapping a 19-game winning streak, they rebounded with a 42-7 victory over Glenbard West last weekend. Iowa-bound quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald, who left the game with an ankle injury, finished 8 of 8 for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns, while sophomore backup Dom Maloney came in and tossed 3 TD passes. Fitzgerald is expected to return Friday night. Brendan Loftus, Will Carlson, Robert Clingan, and Drew MacPherson are receivers to watch, while junior lineman Tommy Ghislandi anchors the defense.
Lake Park (2-0) at Batavia (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Bulldogs: The Bulldogs managed to escape nonconference play with a 2-0 record for the first time since 2021, which was the last time they went undefeated in the regular season. Batavia has won each of the two team’s six matchups in conference play, with last season’s 47-21 victory being the closest game. QB Bodi Anderson seemingly found his stride with 155 passing yards and 3 TDs in the first half of last week’s 42-14 win over South Elgin. RB Nathan Whitwell enters conference play with 301 rushing yards and five scores in his first two games. The defense has also been stellar, already having seven turnovers and 10½ sacks on the season.
About the Lancers: The Lancers are entering conference play with a 2-0 record for the second season in a row, but begin a tough slate with games against the Bulldogs and Geneva next week. They enter play with the second highest point differential (+58) thanks in large part to a 31-0 victory against Bartlett in Week 2. They’ll be lead by the running back duo of Anthony Orestano (20 carries, 236 rushing yards, two TDs) and Robert Munaco (22 carries, 151 yards, four TDs) on the offense.
Geneva (2-0) at Wheaton Warrenville South (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Vikings: The Vikings head into conference play boasting arguably the strongest offense in the conference after being the only team to put up over 40 points in each of their first two games of the season. QB Tony Chahino has been rolling in his first two games under center, completing 70% of his passes with nine touchdowns. WR and Georgia commit Talyn Taylor has also been flourishing, as he’s posted 248 receiving yards and five TDs in the first two contests. Cornerback Dane Turner also has had a great start with four interceptions, including three last week against Lemont. The Vikings have won the past three matchups, including a 28-6 victory last season.
About the Tigers: The Tigers enter conference play as one of only two teams that put up a loss in nonconference play after their 30-22 loss to Lyons in Week 2. But the Tigers did certainly put up a fight after being down 21-0 in the first half. QB Luca Carbonaro has looked solid to start his third season under center, and it’s certainly helped with NIU commit Amari Williams at wideout. Running back Owen Yorke has also put up some solid numbers, with 211 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener against Glenbard South.
Glenbard North (2-0) at St. Charles East (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Saints: Last year’s 14-0 victory in this game was the Saints’ only victory. And while the Saints enter conference play as the only team with an 0-2 record, which doesn’t look the best on paper, the losses were against a Lincoln-Way Central team that went 8-1 in the regular season last year and a Wheaton Academy team that made it to the Class 4A semifinals a season ago. QB JT Padron has led the offense with 582 passing yards and seven TDs.
About the Panthers: The Panthers haven’t started a season 2-0 since 2021, which is also the last time that they’ve reached the playoffs. They also are the only team in the conference to not have gotten over the 20-point mark in a game, with a 19-7 win over Bartlett in Week 1 and a 17-0 win over Willowbrook in Week 2.
Wheaton North (2-0) at St. Charles North (2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the North Stars: It’s the third time in four seasons that the North Stars have came out of nonconference play undefeated. Leading the offense so far has been WR Keaton Reinke with six touchdowns (four receiving, one passing, one kick return). Week 2 also saw a big week from linebacker Aiden McClure, who had 13 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a 45-yard pick-six, a blocked punt and two tackles for losses in their win over Crete-Monee.
About the Falcons: The Falcons won last season’s matchup 35-23 thanks to three fourth-quarter touchdowns. This season, the fourth quarter has continued to stay kind to Wheaton North, with both of their wins stemming from crucial connections between quarterback Nick Johnson and tight end Shane Diericx for one-point victories over Providence Catholic and Lockport.
Glenbard West (0-2, 0-0) at Downers Grove North (2-0, 0-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Hilltoppers: Glenbard West is 0-2 for the first time since 2006, the year before Chad Hetlet took over as head coach. It’s been quite a gauntlet of a schedule, though, games already against Batavia and Loyola, with games ahead against Downers Grove North and Lyons. Senior running back Teyion Oriental, who left the Batavia game with an apparent hand injury, did not play against Loyola. JaMarcus Kelly’s 80-yard TD accounted for Glenbard West’s lone offense against Loyola. Iowa State recruit Mason Ellens got a few more touches on offense, and had a 35-yard run along with a 94-yard kickoff return.
About the Trojans: Downers Grove North has strung together back-to-back dominant performances to start the season, matching 42-0 wins over O’Fallon and Downers Grove South. The Trojans are ranked third in the Associated Press Class 7A poll. Caden Chiarelli scored a career-high four TDs on just five carries against Downers Grove South while the Downers Grove North defense held the Mustangs to just four first downs with Charlie Cruse returning a fumble for a TD. Owen Lansu threw for 157 yards with a 73-yard TD to Oliver Thulin, who caught passes for 101 yards. Downers Grove North beat Glenbard West 31-7 last season, the Trojans’ first win over the Hilltoppers since 2006.
Lyons (2-0, 0-0) at Hinsdale Central (1-1, 0-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Lions: Lyons is 2-0 for the second time in three seasons following its 30-22 win over Wheaton Warrenville South in Week 2. In the game Illinois State recruit Travis Stamm became the program’s career receptions record holder. Lyons senior quarterback Dom Pisciotti threw his first two varsity TD passes and Danny Carroll rushed for 202 yards on 27 carries and a 31-yard TD. Carroll has gone for 100 yards in both games this season with four total TDs. Lyons has won the last two meetings with Hinsdale Central, including last year’s game 42-17 in a game in which Stamm caught three TDs.,
About the Red Devils: Hinsdale Central got into the win column last Friday with its 38-22 win over Bolingbrook. Junior QB Riley Contreras threw for 173 yards and two TDs, and ran for two additional TDs. Contreras has thrown for two TDs in each of Hinsdale Central’s first two games.
Addison Trail (2-0, 0-0) at Willowbrook (0-2, 0-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Blazers: Addison Trail had a resurgent 7-4 season in 2023 after eight consecutive losing seasons. Now it’s posted a pair of one-sided wins to start this year over Streamwood and North Chicago by a combined margin of 59-0. A matchup with District 88 rival Willowbrook should provide a better barometer. Addison Trail has six starters back on offense and four on defense for a team that made the program’s first playoff appearance last year since 2014.
About the Warriors: Willowbrook is unfortunately in a familiar spot – 0-2 for the third time in the last four seasons. Past history suggests that the Warriors will be able to string together some wins within the confines of the West Suburban Gold. Jovon Boyd’s 5-yard TD run accounted for Willowbrook’s lone offense in a 19-7 loss to Glenbard North last week. Willowbrook has won the last eight meetings with its district rival, 42-0 last year.
Leyden (2-0, 0-0) at Hinsdale South (1-1, 0-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Eagles: Leyden’s two wins has matched its win totals for each of the last two seasons. The Eagles are 2-0 for the first time since 1998. The Eagles are coming off a 14-6 win over Niles North. Maddox Jasinski threw a 7-yard TD pass to Isaiah Diblich late in the third quarter and Isaiah Gonzalez, who ran for 79 yards on 14 carries, later added an 8-yard TD run. Dominic Ganir had 15 tackles defenisvely. and Leonard Marquez 10.
About the Hornets: Hinsdale South comes in off a 34-9 win over Riverside-Brookfield. The Hornets, coincidentally, have scored 34 points in each of their two games. Mikey Jefferson ran for 182 yards and three TDs on 18 carries in the win. Hinsdale South beat Leyden 28-0 last season.
Downers Grove South (1-1) at York (2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Mustangs: Downers Grove South comes in off a rough 42-0 loss to Downers Grove North, and it doesn’t get any easier with another visit to a West Suburban Silver power. The Mustangs managed just four first downs against the Trojans. Kayden Smith ran for 48 yards on 13 carries in the loss.
About the Dukes: In Week 1, York started slow but finished with a flourish. The script was flipped last Friday. York rolled up a 35-7 halftime lead at Plainfield North and coasted from there to the 35-7 win. Henry Duda rushed for 169 yards on 29 carries and two TDs, including an 80-yarder, in the win. Senior QB Bruno Massel threw for two TDs and ran for a third. York beat Downers Grove South 47-7 last season.
Wilmington (2-0) at Lisle (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Wildcats: Wilmington was absolutely dominant in its Week 2 win over Sandwich, as the running clock was put into action for the entire second half. Wilmington’s powerful running attack gained nearly 10 yards per attempt in the win, with RB Kyle Farrell doing most of the damage. Farrell finished with 169 yards and four touchdowns on just 11 carries. Wilmington’s defense also thrived, holding Sandwich to just 133 total yards – almost all of which came in the second half.
About the Lions: Very, very little has gone right for Lisle to start the season, which doesn’t bode well as it welcomes the league’s most dominant force to town. Lisle has scored just seven points all season while surrendering 82, and a roster that is short on players doesn’t make for an ideal matchup with Wilmington, which tends to thrive on wearing down the opposition.
– Joshua Welge and Joel Boenitz from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview.