Daily Herald football expanded Top 20

1. Downers Grove North (3-0) Beat Hinsdale Central 28-0 / Glenbard West

The Trojans defense is no joke. After beating Morgan Park 17-12 to open the season, the Trojans have won 45-7 over Downers South with the Mustangs’ score coming in the final seconds, and last week’s shutout of Hinsdale Central who managed just five rushing yards. Those three opponents are no pushovers, either, a combined 6-0 when not facing DGN.

2. Hersey (3-0) Beat Neuqua Valley 49-14 / Barrington

The Hawks didn’t lose much last year, going 9-3, undefeated in the MSL East, and reaching the second round of 7A quarterfinals before losing a shootout to St. Rita. But one of those losses did come vs. Barrington, 35-21, and Hersey can avenge that Thursday. While the Broncos have dealt with injuries and their first 0-3 start since 2001, Hersey is winning by an average of 29 points a game.

3. Prospect (3-0) Beat Naperville Central 45-14 / Fremd

The Knights dominated Naperville Central last week, building a 24-0 halftime lead. Yale-bound RB Matt Donnelly had another good game, as did the defense, while wide receiver Gordon Kemp enjoyed his best night yet with two touchdown catches to go with eight receptions for 107 yards.

4. Fremd (3-0) Beat Metea Valley 35-7 / at Prospect

The Vikings are ready for a new nonconference matchup on Thursday, heading to Prospect for a Mid-Suburban League crossover battle between the third- and fourth-ranked teams in the Daily Herald Top 20. There’s been a lot to like so far from Fremd with junior QB Will Clark completing almost 70% of his passes and the defense allowing less than 10 points per game.

5. Montini (2-1) Beat Marist 35-28 / at Nazareth

After bouncing back from seeing its 25-game win streak snapped by Sandburg in Week 2, the Broncos head to LaGrange on Friday to begin Chicago Catholic League Green play. Montini didn’t face Nazareth, 1-2 coming off a 35-7 loss to Mt. Carmel, last year. Montini’s Miami-bound quarterback Izzy Abrams threw for three touchdowns in a 35-28 win over Marist last week.

6. Glenbard West (2-1) Beat Oak Park-River Forest 39-21 / at Downers Grove North

After coming from behind to win last week, the Hilltoppers have quite the one-two punch coming up. Both Downers North and Week 5 opponent Lyons are 3-0, just what teams have come to expect in the West Suburban Silver. QB AJ Rayford threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Brady Johnson late in the third quarter last week.

7. Batavia (2-1) Beat Glenbard North 49-21 / Lake Park

Bulldogs quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren was nearly perfect last week, completing 16 of 18 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for three touchdowns and 101 yards, leading Batavia to an impressive response from Week 2’s stunner at Rochester. LB Gavin McKelvie made three of the Bulldogs’ 12 tackles for loss.

8. Geneva (2-1) Beat St. Charles North 49-17 / at Wheaton Warrenville South

One of the most eye-opening scores of Week 3 came last week at Burgess Field. David Austin, Luke Ignoffo and Lincoln Mercado didn’t let Bennett Konkey have all the fun as they each caught TD passes from Eastern Michigan recruit Ben Peterson in the surprisingly lopsided final. Of course, Konkey did his part as well with six catches for 179 yards and two more TDs, bringing his total to nine.

9. Maine South (2-1) Beat Maine West 41-7 / at New Trier

Indiana-bound quarterback Jameson Purcell needed only one quarter last week to throw three touchdown passes. He’ll be rested and ready for Thursday night’s trip to New Trier, off to a 3-0 start by a combined 141-13 margin. New Trier QB Jackie Ryder will play in college at Purdue.

10. IC Catholic Prep (3-0) Beat St. Ignatius 22-15 / DePaul College Prep

The Knights are coming off one of the more exciting wins in Week 3. After St. Ignatius scored twice in the fourth quarter to take a 15-14 lead, IC sophomore Jakobe Baldwin scored the game-winning TD in the final two minutes. He finished with 143 yards rushing while Nate Lang threw for over 200 yards and a pair of scores.

11. York (2-1) Beat Proviso West 38-0 / Leyden

12. Wheaton Warrenville South (2-1) Beat St. Charles East 38-7 / Geneva

13. Carmel (2-1) Beat St. Laurence 21-14 / at Providence

14. Wheaton North (3-0) Beat Lake Park 24-15 / at St. Charles North

15. St. Francis (1-2) Lost to Brother Rice 43-0 / at St. Rita

16. St. Charles North (2-1) Lost to Geneva 49-17 / Wheaton North

17. Antioch (3-0) Beat Grant 35-28 / at Grayslake Central

18. Jacobs (3-0) Beat Prairie Ridge 35-20 / at Burlington Central

19. Huntley (3-0) Beat Dundee-Crown 57-0 / Crystal Lake South

20. Mundelein (3-0) Beat Waukegan 44-6 / Warren