Scouting Week 4 Fox Valley football games
Bartlett (0-3, 0-0) at Streamwood (1-2, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Bartlett won, 19-8, last season.
About the Hawks: After being shut out in back-to-back weeks, the Hawks scored their first points of the season on a pair of 40-plus-yard touchdown passes in the second half of last week’s 47-14 loss to Glenbard East.
About the Sabres: Streamwood tries to make it 2 wins in a row following last weekend’s 36-13 victory over East Aurora, providing Don Guindon with his first win since becoming the Sabres’ coach for the second time. Juan Cortes had a pair of long touchdown runs against the Tomcats – part of the team’s 280-yard rushing effort.
Larkin (0-3, 0-1) at East Aurora (0-3, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: East Aurora won, 20-14, last season.
About the Royals: Larkin is still looking for its first points of the season after suffering 3 straight shutout losses by a combined 158-0 margin.
About the Tomcats: A playoff team last season, East Aurora is also off to a slow start in 2024. The Tomcats, who dropped a 36-13 decision to Streamwood last weekend, have scored 26 points in 3 games.
West Aurora (3-0, 1-0) at South Elgin (1-2, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: West Aurora won, 28-20, in 2018.
About the Blackhawks: West Aurora renews its rivalry with South Elgin as the newest member of the Upstate Eight (West). In 2018, the Blackhawks defeated South Elgin in back-to-back weeks, highlighted by their 28-20 Class 8A first-round playoff victory. Last weekend, West Aurora improved to 3-0 with a 56-0 victory over Elgin. Junior quarterback Mason Atkins threw 4 touchdown passes – 2 to Iowa-bound receiver Terrence Smith.
About the Storm: South Elgin coach Patrik Pistorio earned the first win of his second stint at the helm (previous term was from 2013-2018) with the team’s 56-0 victory over Larkin last weekend. Senior receiver Ishmael George had 5 receptions for 97 yards with a pair of touchdowns against the Royals. George and tailback Darrion Thurman (15 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs vs. Larkin) have each scored 4 touchdowns in 3 games. This game could go a long way in determining the UEC West champion.
St. Charles North (3-0, 1-0) at Batavia (3-0, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the North Stars: St. Charles North is 1-5 against the Bulldogs since entering the DuKane conference, with its lone win coming in a 32-31 double OT thriller in 2022 to clinch the conference championship and four of those five losses being by one score. It’ll be the first time the two teams face off without having a loss. Linebacker Aidan McClure has been a commanding force on defense so far, having a conference-high 36 tackles to go with three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and three fumble recoveries. Offensively, running back Joell Holloman led the charge last week with 186 total yards and two touchdowns.
About the Bulldogs: After a close Week 1 victory over Glenbard West, Batavia has been in the driver’s seat both on offense and defense, with the Bulldogs outscoring opponents 98-20. A big part of that jump has been from running back Nathan Whitwell, who has put up 539 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in this young season. QB Bodi Anderson has also found a bit of a groove with consecutive three-touchdown performances, with Brett Berggren being on the receiving end of three scores in the team’s 56-6 victory over Lake Park last week. Batavia won this match last year 45-21, which is the only time they’ve won by more than one score.
Geneva (3-0, 1-0) at Lake Park (2-1, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Vikings: Geneva continued its hot start to the season in its conference opener with another 40-plus point performance with a 45-31 win over Wheaton Warrenville South, and will look to continue against a team it defeated 41-7 a season ago. QB Anthony Chahino continued his hot start with a career-high 309 passing yards in Week 3, with most of his yardage coming from RB Michael Rumoro (114 receiving yards) and WR Bennett Konkey (88 receiving yards). The performance showed the true versatility of the Vikings’ offense, especially with Georgia commit Talyn Taylor being limited to 28 yards on two receptions after being double-teamed throughout the night.
About the Lancers: After dominant showings in their first two games of the season, Lake Park saw a big regression in their 56-6 loss to Batavia in their conference opener. Their rushing offense, which accumulated 537 total yards in their first two games, only had 55 yards in their Week 3 loss, and their lone touchdown came from a pick-six by Dominic Patello. They’ll look to get back on track against a tough Vikings team.
St. Charles East (1-2, 1-0) at Wheaton North (2-1, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Saints: St. Charles East snapped an eight-game losing streak in Week 3 with a 40-6 victory over Glenbard North, who was their only win a season ago. However, the Saints have looked like a completely different team offensively compared to last season. After putting up 101 points total last year, the Saints have already put up 97 points in its first three games, including two 40-point performances, which they haven’t done since 2018. QB JT Padron has been the main catalyst for the offense, but RB Xander Salazar had his first big week with 123 rush yards and three touchdowns against the Panthers.
About the Falcons: After winning their first two games by one point, Wheaton North couldn’t overcome an early scoring attack from St. Charles North and fell 31-14. Despite the score, the Falcons saw some big efforts offensively, with Max Serbick rushing for 104 yards and Tyler Kading leading all receivers with 123 receiving yards. The Falcons took the matchup 35-14 last season and are 5-0 against the Saints in conference play, with each of the last three being by more than two scores.
Crystal Lake Central (1-2, 1-2) at Burlington Central (2-1, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Tigers: Crystal Lake Central earned its first win of the season with an overtime win against Dundee-Crown 17-14, getting a 28-yard field goal from Mattia Zavattaro. … QB Aidan Niederkorn connected with Ben Kolodziej for an 11-yard touchdown. … Anthony Martini caught seven passes for 100 yards. Niederkorn finished 20-of-34 passing for 157 yards and two TDs, the other coming on a 5-yarder to Carter Kelley in the first half. Crystal Lake Central committed only one penalty for five yards.
About the Rockets: Burlington Central spread the ball around in a Week 3 win over Crystal Lake South 33-6. Zach Samaan scored two TDs for the Rockets, and Zane Pollack, Henry Deering and Jackson Alcorn each scored once. Pollack (team-high 66 yards) scored on a 7-yard run and Samaan had TD runs of 38 and 3 yards. Deering added 51 yards and Alcorn threw for 122 yards and ran for 32.
Jacobs (2-1 overall, 2-1 FVC) at Cary-Grove (3-0, 3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Golden Eagles: Since being shut out by Prairie Ridge 17-0 in Week 1, Jacobs has won two games in a row and looks to be hitting its stride as a run-heavy team. ... The Golden Eagles defeated Huntley 26-15 in Week 3, running for 407 yards in the process. … T.O. Boddie scored a 98-yard touchdown and ran for a game-high 244 yards and two TDs. Caden DuMelle added 156 yards and two scores in a dominant performance up front for Jacobs. ... Matt Scardina and Luke Gormsen had 11 tackles apiece and Andrii Tymoshchuk tallied 10. Jacobs lost to Cary-Grove 27-14 in its one game last season.
About the Trojans: The Trojans coasted to a 46-7 win against McHenry last week and have outscored their first three opponents 118-24. C-G was ranked as the No. 1 team in last week’s Associated Press Class 6A poll. … FB Logan Abrams, who missed the team’s first game, ran for three TDs in the first quarter in a runaway win against the Warriors. Cary-Grove has yet to be tested, with Jacobs representing the biggest challenge of the season yet.
Prairie Ridge (3-0, 3-0) at Huntley (2-1, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Wolves: Prairie Ridge’s defense allowed its first points of the season last week in a 41-20 win over Hampshire. In their first two games, the Wolves outscored their opponents 66-0 while recording shutout wins against Jacobs and Crystal Lake South. … Prairie Ridge was ranked No. 3 in The Associated Press Class 5A poll last week, behind only Nazareth and Joliet Catholic. ... The Wolves have won 17 straight FVC games, with their last loss on Sept. 16, 2022, to Jacobs 42-35.
About the Red Raiders: Huntley suffered its first loss of the season in a 26-15 defeat to Jacobs in Week 3. The Raiders defense was gashed on the ground with over 400 yards allowed. … RB Reichen Dvorak scored a 2-yard TD to give Huntley a 7-6 lead with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter. QB Braylon Bower later found Owen Hoffman in the end zone for a 30-yard TD with 8:40 left for a 15-12 lead, but the Raiders couldn’t hold on. … Huntley committed 10 penalties in the loss. Prairie Ridge beat Huntley in last year’s meeting 27-14.
McHenry (0-3, 0-3) at Dundee-Crown (1-2, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Warriors: McHenry got behind early and couldn’t catch up to Cary-Grove in a 46-7 loss, dropping to 0-3. The Warriors are one of two teams in the FVC without a win so far [Crystal Lake South the other]. McHenry has been outscored 107-23 in its first two games this season. ... McHenry lost to Hampshire 17-16 in Week 1 and Huntley 44-0 in Week 2.
About the Chargers: Dundee-Crown lost its second game in a row on a field goal, falling to Crystal Lake Central 17-14 in overtime as Mattia Zavattaro drilled a 28-yarder. In a 24-22 loss to Burlington Central in Week 3, it was Rockets kicker David McCoy who hit a game-winning 37-yard against the Chargers. … D-C came up with a blocked kick against Crystal Lake Central to force overtime. ... The Chargers racked up 12 penalties for 101 yards. ... Isaiah Blake had a 14-yard touchdown pass from Hayden DeMarsh in the first half. DeMarsh was 8-for-18 passing for 146 yards. … Terrion Spencer had seven catches for 88 yards and added five carries for 31 yards, including a 24-yard TD run.
Hampshire (1-2, 1-2) at Crystal Lake South (0-3, 0-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Whip-Purs: Hampshire is looking to rebound after back-to-back losses. After beating McHenry 17-16 in Week 1, the Whip-Purs fell 28-21 to Jacobs in Week 2 and 41-20 to Prairie Ridge in Week 3. ... The Whips lost to South 38-28 in last year’s only meeting.
About the Gators: South has been outscored 102-20 through three weeks, losing to Dundee-Crown 20-14, Prairie Ridge 49-0 and Burlington Central 33-6. AJ Demirov did a bit of everything for the Gators, running for 92 yards, passing for 23, catching a pass and returning a punt. Demirov led the Gators on an 80-yard fourth-quarter drive, taking it in himself from 11 yards out to get the team on the scoreboard. … South started the game with two long drives that ended in a punt and a missed field goal.
Kaneland (3-0, 0-0) at Ottawa (1-2, 0-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Knights: After a couple of close games to start the year, the Knights improved to 3-0 with a 42-7 win over DeKalb. The Knights have started 1-2 each of the past three seasons, made the playoffs all three times and made the second round the last two years. The Knights last started 3-0 in 2018, finishing the year 7-4. Carter Grabowski has been a force on both sides of the ball, leading the team with 246 rushing yards on 50 carries, plus had a team-best 27 tackles, including three for a loss and an interception.
About the Pirates: Ottawa lost the first of two grudge matches to rival La Salle-Peru last week, 33-0. The teams will meet again in two weeks, in the game that will count toward the conference standings. Weston Averkamp led Ottawa with 34 yards on 14 carries while Mark Munson passed for 50 yards. The Pirates went 3-6 last year after a playoff appearance in 2022.
St. Edward (0-3, 0-1) at Aurora Christian (2-1, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Aurora Christian won, 46-0, last season.
About the Green Wave: Turnovers continue to hurt the Green Wave, who committed 3 miscues during last weekend’s 36-0 loss to Christ the King. St. Edward finished with 90 total yards, led by tailback Charlie Elwood, who broke off a pair of double-digit runs. Sophomore Parker Ptruczenko recovered a fumble for the Green Wave.
About the Eagles: Aurora Christian tries to get back on track following last weekend’s 22-9 loss to Hope Academy. The Eagles were victimized by turnovers and sacks in the loss. Asa Johnson’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Cole McCall put Aurora Christian on top early before Hope sealed the decision with 15 unanswered third-quarter points.
Walther Christian (0-2) at Aurora Central Catholic (1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: ACC won, 52-18, in 2017.
About the Broncos: Walther Christian has suffered 2 consecutive shutout losses, including last weekend’s 61-0 loss to Peru-St. Bede.
About the Chargers: After a pair of competitive performances that included a season-opening 20-8 win over St. Edward, Aurora Central Catholic lost a 46-0 decision to a tough Dwight/Gardner-South Wilmington team last weekend. The teams were members of the Metro Suburban Red during their last meeting 7 years ago.
Marmion (2-1, 0-0) at De La Salle (1-2, 0-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Cadets: Marmion suffered its first loss under head coach Adam Guerra to a tough St. Viator team after giving up 21 unanswered points in the second half to lose 31-7. Their lone score of the game came from a 54-yard pass from Kam’ron Tolliver to Jack Young, but they couldn’t capitalize on anything else in the game. They look to return to the form they took in their first two games of the season, where they outscored opponents 77-15.
About the Meteors: Each game that De La Salle has played in so far this season has resulted with the winning team scoring over 40 points and the losing team being shut out. The Meteors’ lone win was a 64-0 win over Foreman in Week 2, while their two losses were 45-0 against Argo in Week 1 and 42-0 against Benet Academy in Week 3.
– Joel Boenitz, Alex Kantecki and Eddie Carifio of Shaw Local News Network contributed to this story