Week 4 expanded football Top 20
First and 10
1. Downers Grove North (3-0)Next opponent: vs. at Proviso West
Comment: Three weeks, three running clock victories for the Trojans, second in the state in Class 7A last year and picking up right where they left off. QB Owen Lansu threw three touchdown passes in last week’s win over Glenbard West to Joe Edwards, Max Troha and Charlie Cruse.
2. Barrington (3-0)Next opponent: at Maine South
Comment: The Broncos have been basically unstoppable on offense, the latest a 51-point, 524-yard night against Glenbrook South. QB Nick Peipert directs it all, coming off an 18-of-23 effort for 367 yards and 4 touchdowns. Maine South has played a killer schedule so far.
3. Cary-Grove (3-0)Next opponent: at Jacobs
Comment: The defending Class 6A state champion Trojans should get their first true test against Jacobs, fresh off an impressive win over Huntley. Jacobs’ Caden DuMelle ran for 147 yards and 2 TDs in that win. C-G’s Cole Eggebraten and Holden Boone combined for 5 first-half touchdown runs last week.
4. Batavia (3-0)Next opponent: vs. St. Charles North
Comment: Nathan Whitwell continued his eye-opening start to the season with 238 rushing yards on 17 attempts vs. Lake Park, scoring 3 TDs. Junior Brett Berggren also had 3 TDs, catching 4 passes for 140 yards. This matchup has produced epic games the last five years.
5. York (3-0)Next opponent: vs. at Oak Park
Comment: The Dukes are off to a perfect start for first-year coach Don Gelsomino, the latest win over Downers Grove South behind QB Bruno Massel’s 234 passing yards and 3 TDs. He added 70 yards rushing and 2 more TDs. Junior RB Henry Duda rushed for 177 yards in the first half.
6. St. Francis (3-0)Next opponent: St. Rita
Comment: The Spartans turned heads around the state with last week’s 35-21 victory over Loyola. Junior QB Brady Palmer threw for 2 TDs and ran for another. The Spartans led 21-0 in the game and will try to keep the momentum going vs. St. Rita, 2-1 with the only loss to Mt. Carmel.
7. Fremd (3-0)Next opponent: at Deerfield
Comment: The season keeps getting better for the Vikings, who set a school record with 65 points last week vs. Highland Park. Wide receiver Brennan Saxe is coming off an 8-catch day for 108 yards and 3 TDs. Fremd will look to keep it going against the 2-1 Warriors.
8. St. Charles North (3-0)Next opponent: at Batavia
Comment: Aidan McClure is a bigger threat to score on defense than most offensive players. The latest came last week with a 32-yard interception return in an impressive win over Wheaton North. Joell Holloman added 130 rushing yards. The SCN-Batavia game has been can’t miss lately.
9. Naperville Central (3-0)Next opponent: vs. Stagg
Comment: Defense has been key in the Redhawks’ perfect start to the season, and that unit was at it again last week forcing and recovering two fumbles in the first quarter to build a 17-0 halftime lead. Stagg enters the game at 2-1 with the only loss to Lincoln-Way East.
10. Geneva (3-0)Next opponent: at Lake Park
Comment: As deadly as the Vikings’ passing game is, here comes Michael Rumoro and the ground game. Rumoro ran for 83 yards and added 117 yards in the passing game in a 45-31 win over WW South. QB Anthony Chahino threw for 309 yards and 4 TDs as the Vikings continue to impress and build momentum with a Week 6 date looming vs. Batavia.
Second and 10
11. Palatine (2-1) Beat Evanston 25-19; at New Trier
12. Hersey (1-2) Beat Maine South 28-23; at Glenbrook S.
13. Maine South (1-2) Lost to Hersey 28-23; Barrington
14. Libertyville (3-0)Beat Stevenson 43-14; Lake Zurich
15. Wheaton North (2-1) Lost to St. Charles North 31-14; SCE
16. Naperville North (2-1)Beat Lincoln-Way C. 21-20; Lincoln-Way E.
17. Carmel (2-1)Beat Providence 27-24; St. Laurence
18. Warren (1-2) Lost to Lake Forest 38-7; Waukegan
19. Hoffman Estates (3-0)Beat Maine East 57-0; at Vernon Hills
20. St. Viator (3-0)Beat Marmion 34-7; at Benet