Five Week 6 high school football games to watch
Geneva (4-1) at Batavia (4-1)
The first game in this series was played in 1913, a 12-7 Batavia win. There have been 106 more of them since, most memorably in 2006 when they met in the Class 6A semifinals, and suffice it to say the offenses have come a long way. Expect plenty of points Friday with Division I players at quarterback and wide receiver on both sides: Geneva QB Ben Peterson (Eastern Michigan) and WR Bennett Konkey (Illinois) matched against Batavia QB Michael Vander Luitgaren (Wyoming) and wide receivers Darin Ashiru (Western Michigan) and Brennon Zeng (Northern Illinois). Both teams are 3-0 in the DuKane Conference.
Jacobs (5-0) at Huntley (5-0)
The only area game Friday between remaining unbeatens, and the Fox Valley Conference lead will be on the line. After rolling through its first four opponents by a 218-6 margin, Huntley passed its first challenge last week by rallying for a 42-35 win at Cary-Grove behind junior QB Malik Carter. Jacobs, who beat Huntley 35-27 a year ago, has a more balanced attack this season with junior Austin Stennett's passing ability complementing the running game led by Aiden Brunner.
Conant (5-0) at Fremd (4-1)
One of the most interesting stats in these days of spread offenses and wide open passing attacks is that Conant has only thrown the ball 17 times this season. It’s working. The Cougars are off to their best start since 2019 with their Wing T offense, and they’ll try to possess the ball again Friday in this Mid-Suburban League West matchup of 1-0 teams. Fremd has a more balanced attack, running for 235 yards last week vs. Schaumburg while QB Will Clark can also beat teams through the air.
Wheaton North (5-0) at Wheaton Warrenville South (3-2)
The Falcons, 3-6 a year ago, continued their surprise start by rallying late in the fourth quarter last week to beat St. Charles East. They will try to keep their share of the DuKane Conference lead with their toughest test yet against the Tigers, led by junior quarterback AJ Rogers and several talented skill position players. Both teams also have hard-nosed defenses capable of impacting the game — last year’s matchup was a 14-0 Tigers win. This starts a grueling three-game stretch for the Falcons who play Batavia and Geneva the next two weeks.
St. Rita (2-3) at Montini (4-1)
If it seems like Montini is in the five games to watch every week, that’s because every week the two-time defending state champions play a high scoring, down to the wire, crazy comeback, wild finish type of game that truly ends up being one of the five games to watch. Plus their Miami-bound QB Izzy Abrams already has 22 touchdowns. Don’t let St. Rita’s record fool you — the Mustangs have beat Glenbard West, and their three losses are to teams a combined 13-2.