Scouting Week 6 Fox Valley football games
Elgin (1-4, 1-1) at Larkin (2-3, 2-1)
When: 6 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Larkin won, 26-6, last season.
About the Maroons: Last weekend, senior quarterbacks Nic Avina and Darin Ward combined for 169 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns during Elgin’s 53-0 victory over East Aurora. While snapping a 4-game losing streak, the Maroons had rushing touchdowns from Aiden Coleman, Fabian Ramirez, John Martinez, and Ward. This week, the Maroons look to end a 3-game losing streak to their crosstown rivals.
About the Royals: Larkin aims to capture the Town Jug for the fourth consecutive year while attempting to stretch its season winning streak to 3. Last weekend, the Royals escaped with a dramatic 22-20 overtime triumph over Streamwood. Quarterback Julius Yandell, Jr. and tailback Elijah Walker possess game-breaking ability. Two weeks ago, the Royals defeated East Aurora to win the “Bucket.” Will they add the Town Jug to their season collection?
Ridgewood (3-2) at West Aurora (5-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Rebels: Sophomore quarterback Angelo Vitale has thrown 12 touchdown passes in 5 games, while Luke Melendez and Alex Hrabchak have combined for 11 touchdown catches, including 8 by Melendez.
About the Blackhawks: Saying the Blackhawks’ offense is explosive would be an understatement of sorts. Led by junior quarterback Mason Atkins, West Aurora has scored 266 points in 5 games (53-point average), topping the 50-point mark 4 times. Last weekend, the Blackhawks cruised to a 48-0 halftime lead over Bartlett on the way to a 62-7 victory.
East Aurora (0-5, 0-3) at Bartlett (1-4, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: East Aurora won, 42-36, last season.
About the Tomcats: After last year’s 6-4 finish and state playoff qualifying campaign, the Tomcats have hit tough times this season. Offensively, the Tomcats average just 6 points per game and haven’t scored an offensive point since Week 3. Defensively, they struggled during last weekend’s 53-0 loss to previously winless Elgin. CJ Young directs the offense, flanked by receiver Fredrick Scott and tailback Diego Vazquez.
About the Hawks: Coming off last weekend’s 62-7 loss to unbeaten West Aurora, the Hawks have an opportunity to bounce back against the winless Tomcats. Bartlett gained 176 yards of total offense against West Aurora but finished 0 for 10 on third-down conversions. The Hawks’ final 4 opponents have a combined record of 5-15, so anything is possible the rest of the way.
South Elgin (2-3, 2-1) at Streamwood (1-4, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: South Elgin won, 64-11, last season.
About the Storm: Junior left-hander Carter McDonald passed for 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns during South Elgin’s 38-21 victory over West Chicago last weekend. Senior tailback Darrion Thurman rushed for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 carries against West Chicago. Middle linebacker Zacharia Barkho anchors the defense. The Storm needs to win 3 of their last 4 games to become playoff eligible.
About the Sabres: Jace Wolf and Juan Cortes each tallied rushing touchdowns during last weekend’s 22-20 overtime loss to Larkin. The Sabres are looking for their first-ever win over South Elgin.
Geneva (5-0 overall, 3-0 conference) at Batavia (5-0, 3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Vikings: Geneva’s 21-18 loss to the Bulldogs last season was the closest it’s ever been to defeating Dennis Piron, as well as the closest game between the two rivals since 2007, when the Vikings won 14-12. However, this season may be their best chance at finally snapping that streak. The Vikings enter play averaging 50 points a game, which is thanks in large part to the connection between quarterback Tony Chahino and wide receiver Talyn Taylor. The two have connected just 18 times this season, but the Georgia commit has made the connections work with 573 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. But even with that explosiveness, head coach Boone Thorgesen knows that it’s going to be a tough battle, but he knows that the team needs to not play in the past.
“We know that if we want to accomplish our goals for this year, we have to go out and beat Batavia,” Thorgesen said. “But it’s a tough task because of how well they’re coached and how good of a football program they are. But we’re up for that challenge.”
About the Bulldogs: Batavia is currently on their longest win streak (13 games) and the second longest streak in the rivalry, with Geneva winning 18 straight from 1967-1985 under head coach Jerry Auchstetter. A lot of that success has been due to the defense, and they’ll look to be a big factor in Week 6 as well. Offenses have only managed an average of 146.4 yards a game so far against Batavia, including just 25.6 yards on the ground. Pair that with the explosive play on offense from running back Nathan Whitwell, who has 923 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, and Batavia has a plan of attack that has helped them beat opponents by an average of 30 points so far. While the turbulent offense of Geneva will prove to be a big test for the defense, Piron knows that this game may be one of the best ever played in Kane County when all is said and done.
“It’ll be a wonderful night between two really talented and well-coached football programs,” Piron said. “Boone’s done a wonderful job over there and they’ve got something building over there. We’re excited about them coming to Batavia, and may the better team win.”
St. Charles East (2-3, 2-1) at St. Charles North (4-1, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Saints: While the overall record at St. Charles East isn’t the best, the team is looking like one of the best they’ve had since the turn of the decade. The Saints have already eclipsed their point totals from each of the past three seasons in just five games. On top of that, East is coming off an OT 27-21 victory over Lake Park last week. While junior quarterback JT Padron has been a big contributor to the growth on offense, it hasn’t been quite as big as the play from junior running back Xander Salazar to start conference play. After not finding the end zone in either of the team’s first two games, he’s scored seven times over the last three games —including the game winner last week — while averaging 133 yards a game on the ground.
About the North Stars: St. Charles North proved that they can be down, but they are never out of a game last week. After being down 32-23 with just a minute left against Wheaton Warrenville South, senior quarterback Ethan Plumb scored on a rushing touchdown, and then threw an 18-yard touchdown 37 seconds later to eventually win the game 37-32. While Plumb was ultimately the hero in that game, senior running back Joell Holloman has been a key factor in each conference game, averaging over 120 yards on the ground a game while also having six touchdowns. The North Stars have won the last four meetings against their crosstown rivals, and will hope to get another one to start off a three-game stretch against teams who are currently under the .500 mark.
Sycamore (5-0, 2-0) at Kaneland (4-1, 1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Spartans: Sycamore ran its record to 5-0 with a 63-0 win against Ottawa, dominating across the board. Each of their first four wins was by a single score. The Spartans benefited from defensive touchdowns by Carter York and Burke Gautcher and have forced nine turnovers on the season. The team has also sacked their opponent 12 times, including four for Owen DePauw and two by Caden O’Donnell. Caden Wicks is tied for the team lead with four tackles for a loss with DePauw while Kyle Prebil and O’Donnell have three each. Kaneland had scored more than 40 points in Weeks 3 and 4 before a 50-10 loss at Morris last week. Sycamore coach Joe Ryan said he expects a much better version of the Knights on Friday.
About the Knights: Coach Michael Thorgesen said the Knights hadn’t turned the ball over more than once on the season before losing 50-10 to Morris last week. Chase Kruckenberg, so strong at quarterback through the first four weeks, tossed a pair of picks. But Thorgesen said he absolutely believes the first-year starter and senior will bounce back against the Spartans. He said the loss last week to a very good football team has both him and the team prepared for another strong team this week.
Jacobs (3-2, 3-2) at Burlington Central (4-1, 4-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Golden Eagles: Jacobs earned a 56-21 win against Dundee-Crown in Week 5, the team’s third win in four weeks after beating Hampshire 28-21 in Week 2 and Huntley 26-15 in Week 3. Jacobs has dominated its District 300 rivals, with D-C’s last win against Jacobs in 1998… FB Caden DuMelle had 122 yards and two touchdowns last week. He has nine games in a row with 100-plus yards. T.O. Boddie ran for 112 yards and TD runs of 47 and 4 yards. … Jacobs gained 386 yards with 27 first downs. The team scored two defensive TDs, getting a 22-yard interception return by Jack Coates and a 43-yard fumble return by Cooper Peterhans. … Jacobs beat Burlington Central 28-7 last year.
About the Rockets: Burlington Central beat McHenry 24-14 in Week 5 for the team’s fourth victory. In each of the past two years, the Rockets have missed the playoffs with a 4-5 record. Central hasn’t made the postseason since 2014.… QB Jackson Alcorn was 16-of-19 passing for 259 yards and three TDs last week. LJ Kerr had 121 yards and a TD, also adding 7 1/2 tackles on defense. Caden West added 84 yards and a TD on five catches. … Zach Samaan had 10 1/2 tackles and a fumble recovery, McKade Naus had 8 1/2 tackles and Liam Ballantyne had seven tackles and a forced fumble.
Huntley (3-2, 3-2) at Crystal Lake South (2-3, 2-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Red Raiders: Huntley beat Hampshire 29-22 last week in a tight FVC game in which the teams were tied at 22 in the fourth quarter, snapping a two-game skid. … QB Braylon Bower tossed a 21-yard TD pass to WR Jordan Oruche in the fourth quarter to break the tie. Bower added a 4-yard TD run and had a 29-yard TD pass to Wyatt Fleck on a fourth-and-15 play. All 22 of Hampshire’s points came in the second quarter. ... RB Reichen Dvorak added a 5-yard TD run late in the first half to tie the game at 22.
About the Gators: Crystal Lake South picked up its second win in a row last week after an 0-2 start, beating crosstown rival Crystal Lake Central 30-24. South defeated Hampshire 9-0 in Week 4 after being outscored 102-20 in its first three games against Dundee-Crown, Prairie Ridge and Burlington Central. … South had a blocked punt, three field goals and a kickoff return for a TD in the win against the Tigers … RB Logan Miller had 134 yards and two TDs, including a game-tying 76-yard run in the second quarter. AJ Demirov ran for 97 yards on 12 carries and had a 95-yard kickoff return for a score. JJ Semradek made field goals from 40, 34 and 49 yards. ... Huntley beat South 54-43 last year in one of the area’s highest-scoring games.
Prairie Ridge (4-1, 4-1) at Dundee-Crown (1-4, 1-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Wolves: Prairie Ridge suffered its first loss of the season last week to Cary-Grove 18-12 after leading 12-3 at half. The loss snapped an 18-game FVC winning streak for the Wolves. … Junior QB Luke Vanderwiel was a workhorse, running the ball on Prairie Ridge’s first 14 plays and finishing with 42 of the team’s 49 rushes. He finished with a game-high 185 yards and had both of the team’s TDs in the first half. … The Wolves came up a yard short on a fourth-and-20 play to end the game. … Prairie Ridge was ranked No. 3 in The Associated Press Class 5A poll last week behind Nazareth, last year’s 5A state champion, and Joliet Catholic. The Wolves received one first-place vote. … Prairie Ridge beat D-C 50-8 last year.
About the Chargers: Dundee-Crown lost to Jacobs 56-21 in Week 5, giving up its most points by far this season. Before Week 5, the Chargers’ most points allowed was 24 to Burlington Central in a 24-22 loss. The Chargers have now lost four in a row after beating Crystal Lake South 20-14 in Week 1. … D-C’s defense gave up 386 yards and 27 first downs to Jacobs. … Ed Bailey had had a 92-yard kickoff return for a TD that cut Jacobs’ lead to 21-13 with 8:57 left in the third quarter. Jacobs scored the next 35 points. … Hayden DeMarsh was 9-of-17 passing for 70 yards and Ryan Pierce had 37 receiving yards.
Hampshire (1-4, 1-4) at Cary-Grove (5-0, 5-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About the Whip-Purs: Hampshire battled but fell to Huntley 29-22 in their Week 5 matchup, with the Raiders breaking a 22-all tie in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard TD pass. … In last year’s meeting, Hampshire was dominated 34-7 in a loss. … RB Tymere Marshall ran over 20 times and had a 1-yard TD run in the second quarter. ... Hampshire scored all 22 of its points in the second quarter. ... QB Ryan Prowicz had a 66-yard TD pass to Christian Dupuis.
About the Trojans: C-G defeated Prairie Ridge 18-12 for the first time time in three years to stay perfect and take control of the FVC race. The Trojans are the FVC’s lone undefeated team. Prairie Ridge and Burlington Central have one loss. … FB Logan Abrams scored both of C-G’s TDs, including a 78-yarder on the team’s second play of the second half. He added a 2-yard score later in the half to give the Trojans their first lead and finished with 119 yards. … RB Holden Boone added 90 yards and Jadon Apgar hit a 45-yard field goal. LB Charlie Ciske had a blocked extra point and had a sack on Prairie Ridge’s last drive … C-G was ranked No. 2 in the AP Class 6A poll last week behind East St. Louis, getting two first-place votes. The Trojans defeated Hampshire 41-21 last year.
Marian Catholic (2-3, 1-0) at Marmion (3-2, 1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Cadets: After two big wins to start the season, Marmion has suffered losses in two of their last three games against high-caliber opponents in St. Viator in Week 3 and a 55-19 loss to Montini last week. With the exception of there Week 1 win against Oak Forest, each of the Cadets’ games have been decided by four or more scores.
About the Spartans: All three of Marian’s losses have come against some tough programs like De Paul, Homewood-Flossmor and last week against Carmel. But when they get their run game going, they’ve proven how dangerous they can get. The Spartans are led by junior running back Kyle Scott, who has 477 yards on the ground this season to go with five touchdowns.
Aurora Central Catholic (2-3) at Neillsville/Granton, Wis. (1-5)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Last matchup: First meeting.
About the Chargers: Tailback Trey Siefrid helped the Chargers gain 217 yards of offense during last weekend’s 41-0 loss to unbeaten Seneca. Unfortunately, Seneca powered its path to 383 rushing yards on the way to a 27-0 halftime lead. Playing teams from Wisconsin is nothing new for the Chargers, who posted a 1-2 mark against teams from north of the border last season.
About the Warriors: Since their 33-16 victory in the season opener, the Warriors have fallen on tougher times. During their current 5-game losing streak, they have been outscored 259-12 and blanked 3 times.
Aurora Christian (3-2, 1-2) at Christ the King (3-2, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Aurora Christian won, 56-6, last season.
About the Eagles: The Eagles’ 17-14 setback at the hands of Kankakee McNamara last weekend was a stunner of sorts considering Aurora Christian’s 51-0 victory in 2023. The Eagles jumped out to a 14-3 lead on a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Asa Johnson to Vinny Delgado before giving up 2 big-play touchdowns, including a 67-yard run for the go-ahead score in the third quarter.
About the Gladiators: Since winning their first 3 games, the Gladiators have dropped back-to-back contests to Kankakee McNamara (29-22) and Marian Central Catholic (42-8). Senior tailback Scottie House averages 106.7 yards per game with 6 rushing touchdowns.
– Alex Kantecki, Joel Boenitz and Eddie Carifio from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview