Five Week 3 high school football games to watch
Conant (2-0) at Elk Grove (2-0)
It's fun to have some fresh faces in here, and the Cougars and Grens qualify. Neither team has made the playoffs since 2022, but both have been playing well, allowing just one touchdown each through two weeks. Conant QB Tyler Marchese directs the unique Wing T, while his counterpart Luke Maher has thrown for 334 yards and three TDs.
Downers Grove North (2-0) at Hinsdale Central (2-0)
One of three matchups this week between Daily Herald Top 20 teams, this is an important one with the rugged West Suburban Silver slate getting underway. The Trojans grinded out a 9-7 win a year ago and have not lost this matchup since 2021. Red Devils quarterback Beau Gatewood is coming off a big game against West Aurora, throwing for three touchdowns and running for another.
St. Charles North (2-0) at Geneva (1-1)
Like the West Suburban Conference, the DuKane kicks off play Friday, and the race for the top spot should be fierce. Both these teams are contenders, the Vikings showing they belong after battling last year's Class 8A runner-up Oswego to a 44-42 loss last week. Illinois recruit Bennett Konkey gave Geneva a chance with 10 catches for 217 yards and four TDs. The North Stars, who beat the Vikings 10-7 last year, have opened with convincing wins over Minooka and South Elgin.
Naperville Central (1-1) at Prospect (2-0)
This is one of five matchups Friday between two proud football conferences, the Mid-Suburban League and DuPage Valley. Quarterback Simon Hayes threw for 269 yards and four touchdowns last week, helping Naperville Central rebound from a Week 1 loss with a 42-21 win over Lockport. Knights QB Jackson Cacini (Eastern Illinois) and running back Matthew Donnelly will be a challenge for the Redhawks, while Prospect's defense has been stout so far.
Batavia (1-1) at Glenbard North (2-0)
Our final battle between Top 20 teams, these DuKane foes met twice last year with Batavia winning both in the regular season and the Class 7A quarterfinals. The Panthers dominated Benet 49-7 last week behind junior quarterback Logan Kramer's four passing and two rushing touchdowns. Senior running back Angelo Gatses will be a focus for Batavia's defense that gave up 44 points to Rochester last week in a game Batavia turned the ball over four times.
Previews of games throughout the suburbs, pages 4 and 5.
Fremd (3-0) at Prospect (3-0)
This is one of numerous Thursday games this week because of Rosh Hashanah that begins at sunset Friday. A MSL cross-division matchup between two unbeatens, these teams have been equally impressive on each side of the ball. Fremd QB Will Clark has passed for 768 yards; Prospect's Jackson Cacini has thrown seven TD passes while running back Matthew Donnelly has a total of nine TDs. Fremd's defense has given up 28 points, Prospect's 31.
Conant (3-0) at Buffalo Grove (3-0)
Outlook: A second 3-0 vs. 3-0 crossover matchup in the MSL on Thursday night, this could be the quickest game of the weekend. Buffalo Grove has been piling up yards on the ground led by Matthew Kaput's 485 and eight touchdowns. Conant with its Wing T has only thrown 11 passes this year.
Glenbard West (2-1) at Downers Grove North (3-0)
Outlook: Shifting to Friday night, this matchup will go a long way towards deciding the West Suburban Silver race. Both teams won their league openers last week. They met twice a year ago, Glenbard West winning in the regular season before the Trojans got their revenge 19-7 in the second round of the 7A playoffs. The Trojans only allowed five rushing yards last week to Hinsdale Central but will be tested by players like Ace Harris, who ran for two scores last week. Glenbard West QB AJ Rayford is always a threat.
Geneva (2-1) at Wheaton Warrenville South (2-1)
Outlook: These teams impressed in their DuKane openers last week, the Tigers rolling to a 38-7 win over previously unbeaten St. Charles East. Geneva turned heads not only by beating St. Charles North but doing it by a 49-17 margin. Geneva quarterback Ben Peterson completed 18 of 21 for 341 yards and five touchdowns against the North Stars last week. Peterson threw scoring passes to four different receivers, including Illinois commit Bennett Konkey (six receptions, 179 yards, two touchdowns), David Austin, Luke Ignoffo, and Lincoln Mercado. Senior two-way standout Nelson Wendell added 95 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns, while also recording an interception on defense. Konkey, who averages 194 receiving yards per contest, has scored nine touchdowns in three games. The Tigers counter with a formidable passing game of their own, as junior quarterback AJ Rogers threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns against St. Charles East last week. Blake Ittersagen, Steven Harvey, and tight end Jacob Bellows are solid receivers, while two-way threat Clark Jensen and Trent Simpson handle rushing duties.
Carmel Catholic (2-1) at Providence Catholic (3-0)
Montini at Nazareth, DePaul Prep at IC Catholic, St. Francis at St. Rita....there's no shortage of area teams in big Catholic League games this weekend. That includes this one in the CCL Orange which a year ago saw Providence pull out a 35-28 win. Providence, second in 5A last year, has beat St. Rita, Kenwood and Joliet Catholic. Carmel's Jorden Moore and Jaquel Edmonds both have rushed for over 200 yards while averaging seven yards a carry.