DuPage area football previews
Wilmington (6-0, 3-0) at Lisle (3-3, 2-1)
Game time: 7:15 p.m. today, Benedictine University
The quick hit: Lisle coach Dan Sanko portrays unbeaten Interstate Eight Small team Wilmington as "piranhas": fast, strong, relentless. A blitzing 3-5 defense will target Lisle back Anthony Ventrella, who ran for 186 yards, 2 TDs in a 44-21 win over winless Dwight.
Wheaton Academy (3-3, 3-1) at Chicago Christian (5-1, 3-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: The new "biggest game" for Wheaton Academy. After crunching Rockford Christian Life 51-19 the Warriors need to win two of three vs. Chicago Christian, Lake Forest Academy (2-4) and Aurora Christian (6-0). They sure can score; will they defend?
Aurora Central (0-6, 0-4) at Driscoll (5-1, 3-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: This and last week's 21-12 Suburban Catholic win over St. Edward are the Highlanders' preparation for Week 8-9 games against Marian Central and Montini. A passing team, ACC will test Driscoll's Joey Calabrese, Matt Woods in the secondary.
St. Edward (3-3, 1-3) at St. Francis (5-1, 3-1)
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: In St. Francis' 32-30 overtime win over Marmion, Spartans coach Greg Purnell discovered, again, his team has the character to rally from behind. Mark Kachmer is most definitely the man, but quarterback Jeff Reckards looks better each game.
Waubonsie Valley (3-3) at Bloom (3-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Back Chris Harris (ankle) may be out, but who needs to run with receivers like Scott Kuehn, Mark Hilgers, Alex Stokowski and Malcolm Buckner? Bloom, that's who, in a firm nonconference test on the road, a long bus ride to Chicago Heights.
Bartlett (6-0, 4-0) at Neuqua Valley (3-3, 2-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Neuqua's backs-to-the-wall act worked last week in a 49-42, four-overtime win over Upstate Eight foe St. Charles East. Now comes even better Bartlett. Neuqua Valley must revisit last week's 388 yards of offense while containing the big play.
Lake Park (1-5, 1-3) at Streamwood (1-5, 1-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: After last week's loss to Waubonsie Valley blew its playoff chance, Lake Park has the doable goal of winning out. Running back Chris Jasinski enters Streamwood off his first 100-yard game of the year; in 2007 he ran for 122 yards against the Sabres.
West Aurora (3-3, 1-3) at Naperville North (6-0, 4-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Naperville North must be wary of those receiver screens to the Blackhawks' Markus Cocroft. While the Huskies' secondary is filled with ball-hawking interceptors, it starts up front with pressure from defensive lineman Tim Weidenbacher.
Naperville Central (4-2, 2-2) at West Chicago (1-5, 0-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Redhawks D-lineman Mike Kraft will sit with an ankle sprain, but he should be back for the stretch run. Two-way West Chicago standout Chris Jackson is out with a broken ankle. Fullback Mike Dylla is also excelling at defensive end.
Glenbard South (4-2, 3-1) at Yorkville (1-5, 0-4)
Game time: 7 p.m. today.
The quick hit: Raiders QB Trace Wanless, RB Curtis Ford and WR Jon Holland present quite a challenge to defenses. Holland has 6 TD catches while Wanless has 9 TDs in the last two weeks. Yorkville's the latest spread offense to test the Raiders' defense.
Addison Trail (2-4, 2-1) at Downers Grove South (4-2, 3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: The Blazers' Mike D'Ambrose and Frank Cervantes each rushed for 200 yards last week. Similar ball control is critical against the Mustangs, winners of four straight. Junior QB Chandler Whitmer recently received a scholarship offer from Illinois.
Hinsdale South (2-4, 2-1) at Willowbrook (0-6, 0-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.
The quick hit: It's already playoff season for the Hornets, who must win out against the Warriors, Proviso East and Addison Trail for a shot. Willowbrook's 16 junior starters look to play spoiler. Warriors senior WR Mike Kane has developed into a playmaker.
Immaculate Conception (3-3, 2-2) at Marmion (2-4, 0-4)
Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: IC's last win over Marmion came in 2004. To retain playoff hopes they need this one with St. Francis up next week. The focus here is just that - focus, right out of the box, no turnovers, continue to pound the ball with Paul Hornstra and that big O-line.
Downers Grove North (3-3, 2-1) at Glenbard West (6-0, 3-0)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: In 2007 against 2-7 Downers, Glenbard West won just 6-0. The visiting Trojans would love to force another physical confrontation and avoid the points explosion they suffered against Hinsdale Central - and which Glenbard West laid on York, 48-6.
York (4-2, 2-2) at Hinsdale Central (5-1, 3-0)
Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The quick hit: The West Suburban Silver's top two quarterbacks - York's Tom Judge and Hinsdale Central's John Whitelaw - face off. Glenbard West effectively pressured Judge, which is the goal of Hinsdale defensive ends Mike Rogers and Mike Owens.