Scouting: Neuqua V. @ Waubonsie V.

Upstate Eight Conference

Neuqua Valley (1-3, 1-0) vs. Waubonsie Valley (3-1, 2-0)

Game time 7:30 p.m. today, North Central College, Naperville.

Last week Neuqua Valley 16, Bartlett 0; Waubonsie Valley 35, St. Charles North 28.

Last year Waubonsie Valley 28, Neuqua Valley 26.

Outlook Neuqua Valley owns a 7-3 advantage entering the 11th annual District 204 rivalry game, but Waubonsie Valley has won the last two. Both teams come off big wins, Neuqua Valley earning its first of the season, Waubonsie remaining tied atop the UEC with Lake Park and St. Charles East. Neuqua linebackers T.J. Rhattigan, Michael Guido and Kevin McCormick will have to be tough against slippery Waubonsie Valley quarterback Kenny Clay. Neuqua has been tough defensively, allowing foes only 209 yards a game. The defense can't lose Waubonsie receiver Scott Kuehn, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass last year. He's one of several weapons - tight end Mark Szott, receiver Malcolm Buckner, back Tre Clark - who are mighty effective when turnovers don't come into play. Warriors defensive ends Rickey Simpson and Cory Connolly will pressure Neuqua quarterback Joey Ippolito, who between his 468 yards rushing and 791 yards passing has accounted for 85 percent of the Wildcats' offense. Waubonsie's goal is time-consuming drives to keep the ball away from Ippolito. "To me the records mean nothing," said Warriors coach Paul Murphy.

Next week Neuqua Valley vs. Cathedral (Ind.) at University of Indianapolis; St. Charles East at Waubonsie Valley.