Scouting Week 4 Fox Valley football games
Aurora Christian (3-0, 1-0) at Chicago Hope Academy (3-0, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Hope Academy won, 22-9, last season.
About the Eagles: Aurora Christian has split two games with Hope Academy the past 2 seasons, winning a 27-22 decision in 2023 before last season’s 13-point setback. Led by senior QB Asa Johnson, Aurora Christian heads into the game averaging 55 points. Johnson threw 5 touchdown passes — the first 4 to Dominic Klimpke — during last weekend’s 63-0 win over St. Edward.
About the Eagles: Hope Academy, which has qualified for the state playoffs 11 consecutive times, is off to a 3-0 start, highlighted by last weekend’s 47-7 win over Marian Central Catholic. Junior QB Jacobi Henry and RB Ashton Hemingway lead the Hope offense, while senior tackle Levi Mallette anchors a defense that has allowed just 25 games in 3 games.
Aurora Central Catholic (3-0) at Marquette Catholic (2-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last matchup: First meeting
About the Chargers: Aurora Central Catholic takes a trip south this weekend looking to go 4-0. Last week’s 36-0 win over Walther Christian was the Chargers’ second shutout of the season.
About the Explorers: Based in downstate Alton, Marquette has not played in a close game yet, beating Duchesne 56-7, losing 42-0 to Quincy Notre Dame, and shutting out East Alton-Wood River, 48-0. The Explorers ran for 256 yards in last week’s win, led by Jack Rea with 73 and a pair of touchdowns. Marquette was 0-9, 1-8, 0-9 and 0-9 the previous four years.
St. Edward (1-2, 0-1) at Christ the King (0-3, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Christ the King won, 34-0 last season.
About the Green Wave: Senior Zach Sauceda collected a game-high 6 tackles during last weekend’s loss to Aurora Christian. Sauceda averages 7.3 tackles per game on defense, while rushing for 86 yards per game as the team’s top offensive threat. Sophomore Aiden Rumachik averages 5.7 tackles per contest, while senior Luciano Mauro has a team-high 4 sacks.
About the Gladiators: After playing a pair of competitive games against Proviso West and Aurora Central Catholic, the Gladiators suffered a 52-6 setback at the hands of Bishop McNamara last week. The offense is paced by freshman QB Zylin Lewis, RBs Tramar Sanders and Omari Hoskins, and WR Lavonte Windfield. Defensive back Kardeon Glover (2 sacks) and Jeremy Robinson (11 tackles per game) anchor the defense.
DeLaSalle (0-3) at Marmion (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Marmion won, 35-0, last season.
About the Meteors: The Meteors are still looking for their first points of the 2025 campaign following running-clock losses to Reavis (42-0), Plainfield East (55-0), and Benet Academy (52-0).
About the Cadets: The Cadets look to build on last weekend’s 28-0 victory over St. Viator. Tailback Henry Miller has been a workhorse in the backfield, evidenced by his 27-carry, 142-yard performance with a 1-yard touchdown, against St. Viator. Quarterback Roy Magana, Jr., tossed a 9-yard TD pass to Colin McEniry last weekend, while Vinnie Testa and Will Wilde added touchdown runs. Sophomore outside linebacker Nicholas Roche and linebacker Testa anchor the Cadets’ defense.
St. Francis (2-1) at St. Rita (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: St. Rita won, 31-13, last season.
About the Spartans: The Spartans’ 2-game win streak came to a halt following last weekend’s 43-21 loss to 3-time defending Class 8A state champion Loyola Academy. Senior QB Brock Phillip passed for 310 yards and 2 touchdowns while also throwing a pair of interceptions in the loss. Senior WR Tanner Glock caught 7 passes for 100 yards against Loyola. Now, the Spartans look to avenge last year’s loss to St. Rita.
About the Mustangs: Do not be fooled by the Mustangs’ losing record. They have faced defending Class 7A state champion Mt. Carmel (35-14) and Brother Rice (28-10) after their season-opening, 28-21 victory over Marist. Senior QB Steven Armbruster, the school’s career touchdown pass holder, did not play last week against Brother Rice due to injury, as junior John Fennell stepped in and was 12 of 27 for 106 yards with an interception. Sophomore MLB Jack Schapendonk averages 11 tackles per game.
East Aurora (1-2, 0-1) at Larkin (0-3, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Larkin won, 28-4, last season.
About the Tomcats: Since scoring 41 points in a season-opening victory over Maine East, the Tomcats’ offense has found the end zone just once over the last 8 quarters in losses to Glenbard South (47-0) and Streamwood (27-7). Senior RB Jonathan Ortiz averages 61 yards per game, while lineman Jeremiah Jackson anchors the defense. During last year’s loss to Larkin, the Tomcats recorded a pair of safeties.
About the Royals: Larkin grabbed a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter last week against South Elgin when Brian Watson, Jr., tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Aden Mora. Senior tailback Elijah Walker added an 11-yard touchdown run for the Royals. Defensively, the Royals have allowed 53-plus points per contest.
Elgin (2-1) at Riverside-Brookfield (3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: R-B won, 30-14, last season.
About the Maroons: Despite last weekend’s 48-16 loss to West Aurora, the Maroons bring a winning record into Week 4 with a youth movement that is led by sophomore tailback Lamarin Powell (97.7 yards per game, 3 TDs), junior WR Jayden Edgar Gray (53.7-yard receiving average), junior RB Anthony Foster (84.3-yard average, 4 TDs), sophomore Jamiere Moore (3 QB hurries), and sophomore Daemyn Simon (3 caused fumbles). Sophomore Vyron Davis-Woodard completed 8 of 13 passes for 107 yards and a TD in a reserve role at quarterback last weekend.
About the Bulldogs: Quarterback Braden Novak has thrown 6 touchdown passes in 3 weeks — 2 each to Jayden Karas (72-yard average) and Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus (49.5-yard average). Tailback Jacob Retana has scored 3 rushing touchdowns, averaging 71 yards per contest. Defensively, the Bulldogs have been led by senior Oscar Aguirre (11 tackles per game), Bryan Rimpila (9 tackles per game), and 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior strong safety Warren Mason (5 ½ tackles per game).
South Elgin (1-2, 1-0) at West Aurora (2-1, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: West Aurora won, 50-7, last season.
About the Storm: South Elgin got into the win column with last weekend’s 55-13 Upstate Eight West victory over Larkin. Colorado-bound senior Gavin Mueller had 3 touchdown runs covering 17, 50, and 72 yards, while also catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from southpaw quarterback Carter McDonald. Bruising senior tailback Darrion Thurman added an 11-yard TD run against Larkin. The Storm defense will try to contain the Blackhawks’ high-octane attack.
About the Blackhawks: West Aurora received a boost from Lesroy Tittle, who caught a pair of touchdown passes from QB Mason Atkins, and added a 69-yard punt return for a score in last weekend’s 49-16 win over Elgin. Ball State-bound Atkins tossed 4 touchdown passes, including a 62-yard strike to senior WR Zach Toma (3 catches, 113 yards), who doubles as an all-conference baseball standout in the spring.
Streamwood (1-2, 1-0) at Bartlett (0-3, 0-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Bartlett won, 27-6, last season.
About the Sabres: Following back-to-back losses to Addison Trail and Fenton, the Sabres broke through last weekend, downing East Aurora, 27-7. Justin Brown ran for a 37-yard touchdown — part of the Sabres’ 162-yard rushing attack against the Tomcats. Lorenzo Robles had a fumble recovery, while Shazeb Ahmed added a sack for Streamwood.
About the Hawks: The Hawks have enjoyed some memorable victories over Streamwood in recent years, including a 59-58 decision in 2021, and a 14-10 win in 2022. This time around, Bartlett looks for its first victory of the season. Olivier Chrapek provided a highlight for the Hawks last weekend, booting a 43-yard field goal against Glenbard East.
Batavia (2-1, 1-0) at Lake Park (2-1, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Bulldogs: Batavia has been firing on all cylinders following its season-opening loss to Glenbard West, opening up conference play with a big 41-13 victory over Glenbard North. The Bulldogs once again showed off their balanced offensive attack, with the tailback/fullback duo of Henry Hahn (90 rushing yards, three total TDs) and Preston Brummel (103 rushing yards) controlling the ground game. Quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren threw for 165 yards and three scores, bringing him up to seven touchdowns and just one interception. Meanwhile, the defense held the Panthers to 88 rushing yards and recorded two turnovers for the second consecutive game. The Bulldogs won last year’s contest 56-6.
About the Lancers: After putting up 35-plus points in its first two games of the season, Lake Park was held to just 20 in its 30-20 loss to Wheaton North. Two-year starting QB George Tzamouranis enters averaging 133 passing yards and 59 rushing yards, but was held to just a rushing touchdown last week. Wide receiver Niko Menos, who holds an offer from Eastern Illinois, also had eight catches for 84 yards in the contest.
Wheaton Warrenville South (2-1, 1-0) at Geneva (1-2, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Tigers: The Tigers took care of business in their DuKane Conference opener, dispatching St. Charles East 37-12. WW South’s offense is scoring a tick over 40 points per game. This matchup against defending league champion Geneva could provide the first clue as to whether the Tigers can compete with the top dogs in the DuKane. WW South running back Owen Yorke continues to pile up big numbers — 246 yards on 20 carries with an 80-yard TD run on the first play from scrimmage last week and two more scores. Senior QB Justin Miller threw for 118 yards and also ran for a score. Geneva beat WW South 48-34 last year.
About the Vikings: Geneva struggled to get on the scoreboard for the second consecutive week, only scoring on its first offensive drive in their 10-7 loss to St. Charles North. But with the Vikings coming home after three straight games on the road to start the season, it could be the morale boost the team and its young offense needs. The loss also showed pupside, with the defense only allowing one touchdown after giving up 35 points to Oswego in Week 2. On offense, running back Nelson Wendell helped the Vikings establish the pace early, finishing with 105 yards on 21 carries and a score.
St. Charles East (0-3, 0-1) at Glenbard North (2-1, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Saints: St. Charles East has struggled out of the gate, with a 37-12 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South moving the Saints to their first 0-3 start since 2011. Both of the Saints’ touchdowns came with under five minutes remaining. Sophomore QB Cruz Herrera finished with 185 passing yards and both a passing and rushing score, while running back Johnny Solano rushed for 145 yards in his first full varsity game. St. Charles East won the last season’s meeting 40-7.
About the Panthers: Glenbard North’s losing streak in conference play moved to 15 games following a 41-13 loss to Batavia. After starting the season with over 200 rushing yards in their first two contests, the Panthers were held to just 88 yards, 82 of them coming from Donato Gatses. Quarterback Kyle Melody had 184 passing yards in the game, 88 of them going to Zechariah Morris.
St. Charles North (3-0, 1-0) at Wheaton North (2-1, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the North Stars: St. Charles North proved it could grind out a victory in a low-scoring contest, edging out Geneva 10-7 to begin conference play. The win was a bit disproportionate to its first two, scoring 35-plus points in wins over Minooka and Homewood-Flossmoor. Senior tailback Carsen Durante has recorded back-to-back 100-plus-yard performances, while wideout and Northwestern commit Keaton Reinke passed the century mark for the first time this season, catching 10 passes for 106 yards. JT Padron has also filled in the QB position for the North Stars, throwing for 185 yards and a score in the win.
About the Falcons: Wheaton North showed it can win league games last week without its starting quarterback. With QB Jake Johnson out with an injury suffered Week 2 at Stevenson, Max Serbick went into beast mode with 308 yards rushing and three TDs on 48 carries in a 30-20 win over Lake Park. Wheaton North’s offense has been a bit of a hit-and-miss proposition through three weeks, with 30-plus points in wins over Simeon and Lake Park sandwiched around a 10-7 loss at Stevenson. St. Charles North beat Wheaton North 31-14 last year.
Ottawa (2-1) at Kaneland (3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Pirates: Ottawa’s great start to the season hit a roadbump in Week 3’s 41-24 loss to archrival La Salle-Peru. Ottawa not only was dealt its first loss of the season after opening with decisive wins over Plano and Streator, but lost QB Mark Munson for the foreseeable future to a game-halting injury. Still, a 2-1 first third of the season leaves Ottawa with reasonable playoff hopes, but to get there the Pirates will have to pull off an upset or two in the Interstate 8. RBs Archer Cechowicz (290 yards, 7.1 avg., 6 TDs) and Ethan Poutre (147 yards, 5.9 avg., 1 TD) have been the main weapons in a balanced offense that, when the game script allows, leans on the run. Diego Martinez (21 tackles, eight solo, 2½ for loss) has been a force on defense. Ottawa is outscoring opponents 81-27 in the middle quarters.
About the Knights: The Kaneland defense had a monster game in a 35-7 win over DeKalb last week. Rogan O’Neil had 12 tackles, three for a loss, and a QB hurry. Brady Alstott had a pair of pass breakups, 10 tackles, a sack and a TFL. Jack Parker had eight tackles, four for a loss, two sacks and two QB hurries. And Garrett Herst had six tackles, five for a loss, with three sacks. Jalen Carter and Luke Gadomski each had interceptions. They allowed one touchdown after achieving the running clock in a 44-7 win to open the year at Rock Island. Lemont exploded offensively, but Kaneland held on for a 42-37 win. Coach Michael Thorgesen said he has been impressed with his defense. Even in the performance against Lemont, he said it didn’t feel like the team gave up 37 points in that one. And holding DeKalb to just a touchdown was a great defensive effort. The game plan was to keep pressure on the quarterback, and that they did, recording 15 tackles for a loss, six sacks and six quarterback hurries. His team loves to blitz, he said, and last week was the perfect opportunity to utilize that strategy.
Prairie Ridge (3-0, 3-0) at Burlington Central (3-0, 3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Wolves: Prairie Ridge rolled up a season-high point total in beating host Hampshire 52-21 last week and leads the FVC in scoring at 39.7 points a game. QB Luke Vanderwiel rushed for two more TDs, giving him nine on the season (10 total, counting a Week 2 pick-six), and he added his first passing score, a 35-yarder to Logan Thennes. … The Wolves will be out to avenge last year’s 52-21 loss to the Rockets in Week 7 in Crystal Lake. It was, by far, the most points the Wolves allowed in any game during their eight-win season.
About the Rockets: Burlington Central returns to Rocket Hill, after beating Cary-Grove 10-7 two weeks ago, boasting the top defense in the FVC. It’s homecoming for Central, which has allowed only 39 points, and that comes after the Rockets gave up a season-high point total in beating host Jacobs 21-12 last week. QB Landon Arnold rushed for 124 of his 157 yards in the second half. Nineteen of his 22 carries came after halftime. Arnold scored on a 2-yard run and also threw a 4-yard TD pass to Trevor Rapp in the first half. … Central’s win over Prairie Ridge last season was its first in the teams’ previous four meetings. … The Rockets are seeking their first 4-0 start since 2004.
Cary-Grove (1-2, 1-2) at Huntley (3-0, 3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Trojans: Cary-Grove got its first win last week, 36-23 over visiting McHenry, and, maybe importantly, the Trojans got their star fullback back. Logan Abrams, who played only defense in Week 1 and did not play at all in Week 2 because of a hamstring injury, rushed for 175 yards and a TD on 23 carries. He had not taken an offensive snap since suffering a Lisfranc injury in Week 6 last season. His presence in the offensive backfield is a game-changer for the Trojans, who now face an undefeated Huntley team, before their schedule lightens up. Sophomore QB Jackson Berndt rushed for 81 yards and 3 TDs and also threw a TD pass to Anthony Medina. … C-G engaged in a Week 7 shootout with Huntley last year, rallying for a 44-43 win.
About the Red Raiders: Huntley hasn’t dominated the past two weeks but finds itself 3-0 for the first time since 2023, when it won nine games, including one in the playoffs. The Red Raiders followed up their 28-27 overtime win over Dundee-Crown by beating Crystal Lake South 28-7 last week, but they led the Gators only 7-0 late in the third quarter. Sophomore RB Chase Hojnacki has rushed for 100 yards in each of Huntley’s first three games, tallying 140 and two TDs against South. For the season, Hojnacki has rushed for 372 yards (8.3 per carry) and seven TDs. Malik Carter made his first start at QB against South and completed 13 of 21 passes for 132 yards and a 27-yard TD pass to Brady Allegretti. Carter had been splitting time with Carson Rowe, who got injured against D-C.
Jacobs (1-2, 1-2) at McHenry (2-1, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Golden Eagles: Caden DuMelle, Jacobs’ three-year varsity starter at running back, became the school’s all-time leader rusher last week against host Burlington Central, which won 21-12. He has nearly 2,600 career rushing yards, including 325 in three games this season. The Golden Eagles have lost two straight games, something they did not do all of last season. QB Connor Goehring (shoulder) is expected to miss his second game in a row. Sophomore Austin Stennett has thrown for 225 yards and two TDs (both to WR Carson Goehring) since Connor Goehring got hurt in the first half at Prairie Ride two weeks ago. … Jacobs beat McHenry 35-19 in Week 8 last year.
About the Warriors: McHenry suffered its first loss of the season last week, as host Cary-Grove won 36-23 for its first win of the season. The Warriors’ 2-0 start was their first since 2007. McHenry QB Jeffry Schwab threw for 163 yards against C-G. He fired two TD passes Haydn Schmidt (10 and 26 yards) and one to William Michalik (54). RB Joey Spelman missed the game with a concussion. Mick Reidy rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries. … McHenry last played at McCracken Field two weeks ago, beating Crystal Lake South 43-7.
Hampshire (1-2, 1-2) at Dundee-Crown (1-2, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Whip-Purs: Hampshire has scored 76 points in three games but twice has surrendered 50-plus. The Whip-Purs’ 199 points allowed are the second most in the FVC. Hampshire is coming off a 52-21 loss to visiting Prairie Ridge … The Whip-Purs lost to Dundee-Crown 21-16 in Week 7 last year.
About the Chargers: Dundee-Crown surrendered fourth-quarter leads the first two weeks of the season in losing to McHenry (17-14) and Huntley (28-27 in OT), but the Chargers put it all together last week in beating Crystal Lake Central 56-8. RB Kadin Malone and QB Ikey Grzynkowicz have keyed the Chargers’ running attack through three weeks, as each player has rushed for more than 200 yards. D-C’s 56 points against Crystal Lake Central were its most in a game since a 70-55 loss to Prairie Ridge in Week 4 of the 2018 season. Grzynkowicz rushed for three TDs, and Leon Metcalf had two. … Among FVC teams, only Prairie Ridge (119) and Huntley (98) have scored more points than the Chargers (97). … It’s homecoming for the Chargers, and a win will equal their total from last season.
Crystal Lake South (0-3, 0-3) at Crystal Lake Central (0-3, 0-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Gators: Crystal Lake South suffered its third loss in as many games last week, 28-7 at home to Huntley, but the Gators trailed only 14-7 late in the third quarter against an undefeated Red Raiders team. QB Michael Silvius’s 11-yard TD pass to Logan Driscol accounted for South’s only score. It capped a nine-play, 69-yard drive that took more than four minutes off the clock. Silvius also had a TD pass to Noah Franch against McHenry in Week 2. Silvius’ two TD throws, however, have accounted for the Gators’ only scores this season, as they have been outscored 92-14. … The Gators have lost seven straight games since beating Crystal Lake Central 30-24 in Week 5 last season for one of their only two wins on the season.
About the Tigers: Crystal Lake Central has allowed 140 points, most in the FVC through three weeks. The Tigers are coming off a 56-8 loss at Dundee-Crown, after having given up 42 points in each of their first two games against Huntley and Hampshire, respectively. … Central got its only points against D-C in the fourth quarter. Logan Schippel scored on a 9-yard run, and Rylan Reicher caught the two-point PAT. The Tigers have scored only 22 points.
— Joe Aguilar, Joel Boenitz and Eddie Carifio from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview