Scouting Fox Valley football quarterfinals
Class 7A
No. 5 Downers Grove North (10-1) at No. 4 Batavia (10-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About the Trojans: Downers Grove North survived a late comeback attempt from Fenwick in the second round, with kicker Antonio Kollintzas kicking a 28-yard field goal as time expired to win the game 13-10, and will be looking to make it to the semifinals for the second straight season. Their 13 points in the second round was the first time that the Trojans’ offense was held under 20 points all season. The reigning Class 7A runner ups have been led by junior QB and Minnesota commit Owen Lansu, who threw for 186 yards against the Friars’ tough defense. The defense has also been a strong point for the Trojans, as they’ve allowed just 17 points so far in the playoffs. Aiden Solecki had three sacks, Weston Waughop recovered a fumble and Caden Chiarelli had an interception in the second round. The Trojans’ only loss of the season came at the hands of undefeated Lyons, who managed a 21-point comeback after Lansu went down with an injury.
About the Bulldogs: Batavia pulled off an impressive victory over Lincoln-Way West, scoring 25 consecutive points to take the 25-21 victory and advance to the quarterfinals for the eighth time in 14 seasons. The story of the game was the performance of sophomore QB Michael Vander Luitgaren, who came into the game and threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, including a 48-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Brett Berggren. Head coach Dennis Piron said that he’s committed to having both Vander Luitgaren and junior Bodi Anderson share time as the main pass slinger. But no matter who’s back there, they’ve had no trouble finding senior WR Isaiah Brown, who recorded back-to-back 100+ receiving-yard performances for the first time in his career. Also adding a compliment to the offense was senior RB Nathan Whitwell, who exceeded the 100-yard rushing mark for the seventh time this season in the win. The defense also picked up steam in the second half after struggling early, allowing only 50 yards of offense, including just six rushing yards, in the entirety of the second half.
Class 6A
No. 3 Geneva (10-1) at No. 7 Lake Forest (9-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About the Vikings: Geneva is making its second straight appearance in the 6A quarterfinals after pulling off a 42-28 victory over Burlington Central. Senior WR Talyn Taylor recorded his eighth game with over 100 receiving yards and seventh with multiple touchdowns in the victory, with his 96-yard kickoff return touchdown proving to be the explosive play needed to turn the tides in favor of the Vikings. QB Tony Chahino also stepped up big for the Vikings, throwing for 285 yards and two touchdowns to give him 40 passing scores on the season, while adding a rushing one of his own on the night. RB Michael Rumoro recorded his third game of going over the 100-yard rushing mark, his first since putting up 200 in the win against Geneva, and had the go-ahead score, as well as an insurance one in the fourth quarter. The Vikings have scored over 40 points in each of their playoff victories, and have done so in seven of their 11 games this season. If the Vikings pull off the victory, they’ll be in the semifinals for the first time since 2008, when they finished as runner-ups in Class 6A.
About the Scouts: Lake Forest pulled out an upset victory over second-seeded and North Suburban Conference rival Libertyville, driving 98 yards in the final two minutes before QB Danny Van Camp scored on a 1-yard QB sneak with just 6.6 seconds left in the 24-17 victory. WR Charlie Markee and RB Marty Hippel have been the driving forces on the Scouts’ offense, but were also moved onto the defensive side for the first time in the second round. The move ended up working in their favor, with Hippel causing a few pass break ups whule Markee grabbed two interceptions, with one being a pick-six. Lake Forest is making its second appearance in four seasons, and will be looking to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2012.
No. 4 Belvidere North (10-1) at No. 1 Cary-Grove (11-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
How they got here: defeated No. 13 Kaneland 35-20 in Round 1, defeated No. 5 Wauconda 28-10 in Round 2.
About the Blue Thunder: Belvidere North earned its school-record 10th win by beating visiting Wauconda last week. The Blue Thunder’s only loss came against Rockton Hononegah, 22-19, in Week 8. Belvidere North and Hononegah finished atop the Northern Illinois (NIC 10) Conference with 8-1 records. Belvidere North averages 34.5 points per game and allows an average of 14.1 per game. The Blue Thunder forced five turnovers against Wauconda. Noah Rooney had two of the team’s four interceptions, including a 48-yard pick six. Ben Bucher is a big-play running back for Belvidere North. He rushed for two touchdowns against Wauconda, giving him six in the team’s two playoff wins. … The Blue Thunder, which has not missed the postseason since 2016, advanced to the quarterfinals last season as well, but lost to Lake Zurich 14-10.
About the Trojans: Cary-Grove has enjoyed running-clock wins in each of its two playoff wins and hasn’t had a close game since Week 7, when it scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to complete a come-from-behind, 44-43 win over host Huntley. Led by QB Peyton Seaburg and RB Holden Boone, the Trojans’ triple-option offense amassed 397 yards — all on the ground — against Antioch on Saturday. Seaburg, who attempted only two passes, rushed for 103 yards and four touchdowns on only 10 carries. Charlie Ciske had two interceptions and Ty Drayton had a sack and a pass deflection that resulted in an interception to lead the defense, which didn’t allow any points until Antioch’s first string scored on the Trojans’ reserves in the fourth quarter. … C-G averages 43.6 points per game and allows an average of 11.7 per game. … The Trojans, who won the Class 6A state championship last season for the second time in six years, have won 18 games in a row.
Advancement: Winner will play winner of No. 7 Lake Forest (9-2) vs. No. 3 Geneva (10-1).
— Joe Aguilar from Shaw Local