Scouting Week 5 Fox Valley football games
Elgin (0-4, 0-1) at East Aurora (0-4, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: East Aurora won, 28-0, last season.
About the Maroons: Looking for its first win, Elgin enters the game coming off a solid effort in a 30-14 loss to Riverside-Brookfield last weekend. Sophomore receiver Jayden Gray had 143 yards and a touchdown, while senior tailback Aiden Coleman added 123 yards and a touchdown.
About the Tomcats: East Aurora recorded a pair of safeties during last weekend’s 28-4 loss to Larkin, including a tackle by Jayden Strope of a running back in the end zone. The Tomcats have been held to single digits in 3 of their 4 games.
South Elgin (1-3, 1-1) at West Chicago (3-1, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: South Elgin won, 57-14, last season.
About the Storm: South Elgin’s 3 losses have come to teams (Barrington, Batavia, West Aurora) with 4-0 records. Last weekend, the Storm played West Aurora on even terms early thanks to a 72-yard touchdown run by DeAngelo McCullough before the Blackhawks took control in the second quarter and second half. “South Elgin still has South Elgin type players,” said Wildcats coach Adam Chavez. “They have played a tough schedule. Some schemes have changed a bit, but they still have very good players on their roster.”
About the Wildcats: Tailback Robert Lee and quarterback Carter Naranjo will try to exploit the Storm defense following last weekend’s wild 43-35 victory over Ridgewood. “Two years ago, we would not have been able to come back and hang in there for four quarters,” said Chavez. “We are learning to be winners.” West Chicago suffered a 63-8 Week 3 loss to Glenbard South. “That beatdown woke us up, and the kids vowed to never let that happen again,” added the coach. Chavez knows the task at hand Friday night. “We will have to be at our best to have a chance to be in the game.”
Streamwood (1-3, 1-1) at Larkin (1-3, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Larkin won, 35-14, last season.
About the Sabres: Streamwood attempts to bounce back from last weekend’s 27-6 loss to Bartlett. The Sabres’ lone win came in Week 3 against East Aurora (36-13).
About the Royals: Larkin tries to extend its winning streak following last weekend’s 28-4 triumph over East Aurora – the school’s first in the Upstate Eight West. Elijah Walker scored a touchdown off a blocked punt, while Gabriel Galvan added a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown. Quarterback Julius Yandell, Jr., tossed a 38-yard TD pass to Rian Ray.
West Aurora (4-0, 2-0) at Bartlett (1-3, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: West Aurora won, 27-12, in 2018.
About the Blackhawks: West Aurora has reached the 50-point mark in 3 of its first 4 games – the other was a 45-20 victory over a 3-1 Glenbard East team. Junior quarterback Mason Atkins has plenty of teammates to rely upon, including Iowa-bound WR Terrence Smith, Reece Powers, Azuriah Sylvester, and tailback Bryce Riley, who rushed for 223 yards on 11 carries with a pair of long touchdown runs during last weekend’s 50-7 victory over South Elgin.
About the Hawks: Coming off a 27-6 victory over Streamwood in their Upstate Eight West debut, the Hawks face the only other unbeaten team in the conference in West Aurora. The Hawks will need a big effort from their defense, led by linebackers Daniel Jasso, Ethan Ratajczyk, and lineman Donald Hubbard, against a Blackhawks team averaging 51 points per game. "We're going to need a big-time effort from every single player on our roster and stick to our game plan,“ Bartlett coach Milan Vuckovich said.
Batavia (4-0, 2-0) at Wheaton North (3-1, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Bulldogs: After a slow start against St. Charles North in which they got held out of the end zone in the first half, Batavia rattled off six touchdowns, including four unanswered ones in the fourth quarter, to pull off an impressive 45-21 victory over the North Stars. RB Nathan Whitwell has been on an absolute tear, racking up 803 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns to start the season, including 263 and five scores in Week 4. Not only that, but the defense also excelled in the fourth quarter, only allowing two North Star first downs. Despite the Bulldogs recording their third straight 40+ point performance last week, head coach Dennis Piron said that the team is still trying to find their way in aspects like the pass game. But t when it does he knows that the team can be extremely good.
About the Falcons: Wheaton North has been keeping their fans on edge for most of the season, and last week was certainly no exception. The Falcons scored 20 unanswered points in the second half, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to pick up a 27-19 victory over St. Charles East last week. In all three of their wins, the Falcons came from behind to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Leading the way has been QB Nick Johnson, who’s thrown all three go-ahead touchdowns for the Falcons, including a pass to Tyler Kading to give them the lead in Week 4. The last time the Bulldogs came to Wheaton North, the Falcons pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback to win 27-24.
Glenbard North (2-2, 0-2) at Geneva (4-0, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Vikings: Through four weeks of the season, Geneva has certainly had no trouble getting their offense going, and they kept that mantra going with a 63-14 victory over Lake Park in Week 4, their fourth straight game with 45+ points. Their 212 points so far is the fifth most across the state of Illinois, keeping pace with teams like defending Class 3A champions Byron (217 points) and Class 2A semifinalist Maroa-Forsyth (227 points). QB Anthony Chahino has been a main catalyst for the offensive uptick, completing 36 of 52 passes for 1,012 yards and 17 touchdowns. Helping add to those stats have been a talented receiving duo of Georgia commit Talyn Taylor (14 receptions, 390 yards, nine TDs) and Finnegan Weppner (11 receptions, 302 yards, five TDs).
About the Panthers: After outscoring their first two opponents 36-7 to help start the season 2-0, Glenbard North has had the script reversed to start conference play. The Panthers have been outscored 71-7, including a 31-0 shutout loss against Wheaton Warrenville South last week. The Panthers’ only score during their skid came from an 80-yard connection between Ben Princis and Zechariah Moore in Week 3.
Lake Park (2-2, 0-2) at St. Charles East (1-3, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Saints: While St. Charles East may be the only team in the DuKane conference with an overall record under .500, the Saints have proven time and time again that they can keep with high-caliber teams. And they did it again last week, taking a lead into the fourth quarter against Wheaton North before ultimately falling to them. After relying on the passing game in the first two weeks, RB Xander Salazar has taken the lead on the offense, rushing for over 100 yards in back-to-back games and scoring five touchdowns.
About the Lancers: After putting up 72 points in their first two games of the season, Lake Park struggled to put up points against a tough opening conference slate, getting outscored 119-19 against Batavia in Week 3 and Geneva in Week 4. QB George Tzamouranis has the Lancers’ only offensive score over that two-week slate, recording a 2-yard rushing score late against the Vikings.
Wheaton Warrenville South (2-2, 1-1) at St. Charles North (3-1, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the North Stars: St. Charles North is coming off a tough first loss of the season after allowing 28 straight points in the fourth quarter in a loss against Batavia, and will most likely be eager to get back in the win column. Last year’s matchup between the two teams went to overtime, when the North Stars came out with a 42-35 victory. QB Ethan Plumb threw for 367 yards and five touchdowns in the last contest, and he’ll be looking to get back in the saddle after a tough second-half showing last week. He did find success with WR Keaton Reinke, who was on the receiving end of 145 of his 190 passing yards on the day, including a 67-yard dot for the North Stars’ only score in the second half.
About the Tigers: After a tough loss in the homecoming game to Geneva in Week 3, WW South avenged it with a 31-0 victory on the road at Glenbard North. The Tigers have put up over 30 points in three of their first four games of the season, which is something they haven’t done since 2019. The QB-WR duo of Luca Carbonaro and Amari Williams lead the way for the Tigers. The two have connected for over 400 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season, including for multiple scores in each of the last three games and for over 100 yards in each of the last two.
Kaneland (4-0, 1-0) at Morris (3-1, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Knights: The 21 points Ottawa scored on the Knights last week was the most they’ve given up all year - but 14 of those came after Kaneland reached the running clock in the 49-21 win. They’ll be facing a Morris team that has scored at least 30 points in every game and has reached 50 in the past two contests. Jake Buckley is disruptive on the line, with seven tackles for a loss, two sacks and a hurried pass. Jackson Slifka has made the shift from the line to linebacker, but is still disruptive as well with five tackles for a loss, a sack and a hurry. On offense, Chase Kruckenberg has completed 45 of 58 passes for 597 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Brady Brown has 16 catches for 177 yards and a score, while Dylan Sanagustin has 11 catches, 190 yards and four touchdowns.
About Morris: It didn’t take long for Morris to bounce back from its first loss of the season in Week 3 to Peoria as it ultimately overwhelmed LaSalle-Peru. It did take them a little while to get going though as LaSalle-Peru held a 14-7 lead after a quarter before Morris scored 45 unanswered points to cruise to a runaway win. Morris continues to have impressive offensive balance as QB Brady Varner tossed four touchdown passes in the L-P win while RB Caeden Curran cracked the century mark rushing.
Cary-Grove (4-0 overall, 4-0 FVC) at Prairie Ridge (4-0, 4-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Trojans: Cary-Grove stayed undefeated with a 35-14 win over Jacobs in Week 4, reeling off 35 straight points after the Golden Eagles scored the first touchdown of the game. It was the first time the Trojans trailed all year and the first time the defensive starters allowed a TD. … C-G ran for 393 yards on 56 carries. FB Logan Abrams did a lot of the heavy lifting with 159 yards and two TDs. QB Peyton Seaburg ran for 113 yards and two TDs, Holden Boone chipped in 74 yards, and Michael Massat added a late score. … C-G’s last win over Prairie Ridge was in 2021 (42-7). ... C-G was ranked No. 2 in last week’s Associated Press Class 6A poll. The team is second in the FVC in points allowed (38).
About the Wolves: Prairie Ridge beat Huntley 35-13 in Week 4 to keep its perfect season intact and has won 18 straight FVC games, with its last loss Sept. 16, 2022, against Jacobs. … The defending FVC champions have won the past two meetings against C-G, including 21-20 last year. … The Wolves were ranked No. 3 in the AP Class 5A poll last week. … QB Luke Vanderwiel ran for 238 yards and three TDs against Huntley. As a team, Prairie Ridge ran for 291 yards on 46 carries. All 13 of Huntley’s points came in the fourth quarter after going down 28-0. The Wolves have allowed an FVC-low 33 points and have two shutouts.
Crystal Lake South (1-3, 1-3) at Crystal Lake Central (1-3, 1-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Gators: Crystal Lake South grabbed its first win of the season in Week 4 with a 9-0 shutout over Hampshire. The Gators had a monster game on defense, creating seven turnovers, which made up for almost 200 yards in penalties. Gio Evers recorded an INT and fumble recovery, Jacob Kita had two fumble recoveries, Gavin Hastings had a fumble recovery, and AJ Demirov and Noa Franch both had an INT. Brock Miller also blocked a field goal in the shutout. … South has been rotating quarterbacks based on the matchups and have used multiple QBs in games. … South was outscored 102-20 in its first three losses to Dundee-Crown, Prairie Ridge and Burlington Central.
About the Tigers: Crystal Lake Central went down 28-0 at halftime and lost to Burlington Central 49-0 in Week 4. The week prior, the Tigers earned their first win by beating Dundee-Crown 17-14 in overtime. … Crystal Lake Central’s offense has struggled with only 38 points in its four games, while the defense has given up 143. The Tigers had seven points in the opener against Huntley and 14 against Cary-Grove. … In last year’s crosstown rivalry game, Crystal Lake Central blanked South 34-0.
Dundee-Crown (1-3, 1-3) at Jacobs (2-2, 2-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Chargers: D-C has been no stranger to close games this season and came up just short last week in a 14-13 loss to McHenry, the team’s third straight loss after a season-opening victory. D-C held a lead until 6:57 remaining in the game. … D-C’s three losses this season have been by a combined six points. The Chargers lost to Burlington Central 24-22 in Week 2 on a game-winning field goal and lost to Crystal Lake Central 17-14 in overtime in Week 3.
About the Golden Eagles: Jacobs’ two-game winning streak, which included wins over Hampshire and Huntley, was snapped by C-G with a 35-14 loss in Week 4. … Jacobs was led by FB Caden DuMelle with 112 yards on 14 carries. T.O. Boddie had 102 yards on 11 carries, including a 34-yard touchdown to start the game. Jacobs scored a touchdown with 37.2 seconds remaining on a 22-yard pass from QB Connor Goehring to Luke Gormsen. Jacobs defeated D-C 55-26 last season, which was the most points the Eagles scored all year.
Huntley (2-2, 2-2) at Hampshire (1-3, 1-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Red Raiders: Huntley lost to Prairie Ridge 35-13 in Week 4, a game in which the Raiders trailed 28-0 after three quarters. Huntley has dropped two games in a row since starting 2-0. … QB Braylon Bower went 19-of-29 passing for 164 yards and two TDs against Prairie Ridge. Wyatt Fleck (seven catches, 54 yards) had a 1-yard touchdown reception, and Zach Rysavy added a 6-yard score. Gavin Havens had a team-high 67 rushing yards. Huntley ended up with 280 yards to Prairie Ridge’s 305.
About the Whip-Purs: Hampshire lost to Crystal Lake South in Week 4 for its third straight loss after defeating McHenry 17-16 in the season opener. ... Hampshire’s Week 2 loss to Jacobs (28-21) was by only seven points, so the Whips have been competitive in three of four games outside of a 41-20 loss to Prairie Ridge in Week 3. … Hampshire lost to Huntley 34-7 last year.
Burlington Central (3-1, 3-1) at McHenry (1-3, 1-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Rockets: Burlington Central had no trouble in a Week 4 win over Crystal Lake Central 49-0, giving the Rockets their third win already. Central has finished 4-5 in each of the past two seasons. … The Rockets trail only Prairie Ridge and C-G in the FVC. … In the Week 4 win, Central allowed only 66 yards, with 30 coming on one play against backups. … QB Jackson Alcorn was 13-of-18 passing for 220 yards and three TDs. WR/DB LJ Kerr had four catches for 78 yards and two TDS and also had an INT on defense. LB Sam Maglares had a forced fumble and recovered two fumbles. RB/LB Zach Samaan added two rushing TDs and one INT in the dominant victory. … Central’s 55 points allowed is third best in the FVC. … The Rockets beat McHenry 17-7 last season.
About the Warriors: McHenry earned its first win of the season with a come-from-behind 14-13 win against Dundee-Crown in Week 4. It was the team’s first conference win since winning the last two games of the 2022 season. McHenry had lost 12 FVC games in a row. … The Warriors scored a touchdown with 6:57 left to cut D-C’s lead to 13-12. Conner McLean then added a 2-point conversion to put McHenry up for good. … RB Jacob Jones led the way with 60 yards rushing and Jeffry Schwab chipped in 49. Schwab also caught a touchdown from QB Dayton Warren. Nolan Chovanec had a TD and 30 rushing yards.
Marmion (3-1) at Montini (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Cadets: After suffering their first loss of the season to St. Viator in Week 3, Marmion came back with a 35-0 victory over De La Salle to open CCL/ESCC Red conference play. The shutout gave them their second shutout victory in three weeks, with their first coming in Week 2 with a 56-0 win over The Noble Academy. The win already puts the Cadets over their win total from a season ago, showing that the new offense under first-year head coach Adam Guerra has been working so far.
About the Broncos: After starting off the season 2-0, Montini, who reached the Class 3A state semifinals last season, has suffered back-to-back losses in lowing scoring games against Marist and Fenwick. The Broncos were grinded down in the second half against Fenwick before falling 14-10. The Broncos won the last matchup between the two teams, taking a 26-3 victory in Week 3 of 2022.
Aurora Central Catholic (2-2) at Seneca (4-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Chargers: The Chargers lit up the scoreboard during last weekend’s 60-7 victory over Walther Christian, scoring touchdowns on all 8 of their offensive possessions. Tailback Trey Seifrid rushed for 193 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 4 carries, while 2-way standout Grant Bohr had a touchdown pass, run, and 50-yard interception return. Backup QB Kyle Stanislo had 100 yards on 3 carries with a 61-yard TD run. Giovanni Estrada led the defense with 7 tackles. “Our top performers were Trey Seifrid, Aidan Crisci (31-yard TD reception), Grant Bohr, and Charlie Anderson last week,” said Chargers coach Christian Rago. “I think we gained some confidence back.”
About the Fighting Irish: Seneca is off to a 4-0 start, having outscored its opponents by a 167-47 margin. The Fighting Irish reached the Class 2A state quarterfinals last season and return senior tailback Brady Rademacher (181.5 yards per game) and quarterback/defensive back Paxton Giertz. “They are a good team that plays with physicality and discipline,” Rago said of Seneca. “It will be a great challenge for our program.”
Aurora Christian (3-1, 1-1) at Kankakee McNamara (2-2, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Aurora Christian won, 51-0, last season.
About the Eagles: Quarterback Asa Johnson has improved each week, highlighted by his 2 touchdown passes and touchdown run in the first quarter last weekend against St. Edward. Cole McCall, Drake Namest, Nolan Robertson, Jonan Miceli, Jalen Callaway, and Carson Moreno also scored touchdowns against the Green Wave.
About the Fightin’ Irish: Bishop McNamara knocked off previously unbeaten Christ the King, 29-22, last weekend. The Fightin’ Irish defense has been stout, allowing 14 points per game.
St. Edward (0-4, 0-2) at Wheaton Academy (3-1, 2-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Wheaton Academy won, 48-0, last season.
About the Green Wave: Following back-to-back, double-digit losses to Christ the King (34-0) and Aurora Christian (55-0), St. Edward travels to West Chicago to face a talented Wheaton Academy squad that has won 3 of its first 4 games. Senior all-purpose back Charlie Elwood averages 47 receiving yards and 26 rushing yards for the Green Wave.
About the Warriors: Wheaton Academy outscored Hope Academy 28-0 in the second half of last weekend’s 42-14 victory. Senior quarterback Nathan Downey has plenty of offensive weapons to lean on, including wideouts Charlie Coniaris, Jake Weston, and Gino Spinelli, who caught a touchdown and threw a 35-yard touchdown pass against Hope. Jeremy Johanik, Zach Moravec, and Diyonnes King anchor the Warriors’ defense.
– Joel Boenitz, Alex Kantecki and Eddie Carifio from Shaw Local contributed to this preview.