St. Francis loses opener to Indiana powerhouse; St. Edward, Wheaton Academy win
Rhys Ragan scored on an 84-yard touchdown run and connected with Ryder Gardner for a 58-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to help lift New Palestine to a 28-17 victory over St. Francis in a battle between defending Indiana and Illinois state champions on Friday night.
Tivias Caldwell had a pair of touchdown runs covering 2 and 85 yards, respectively, for the visiting Spartans (0-1), who won Class 5A a year ago. Evan Kolinski added a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter to make it 17-7.
The Dragons’ Wayne Estes returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to pull the home team within 17-14 at halftime.
St. Edward 36, Walther Christian 6: Junior two-way player Jake Linkowski scored on a 37-yard quarterback keeper and added a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown from his defensive back position, as St. Edward (1-0) built a 36-0 third-quarter lead on the way to a 36-6 victory over Walther Christian at Greg True Field. Matching their entire victory total from last season, the Green Wave also provided first-year head coach Dave Archibald with his first win in Elgin.
Wheaton Academy 28, East Moline United 14: Senior Logan Oros, a Western Illinois commit, scored all four of his team’s touchdowns — two rushing and two receiving — to help lift Wheaton Academy (1-0) to a 28-14 road win over East Moline United. Quarterback Colton Miller threw a pair of touchdown passes to Oros, while Jake Shales and Kaden Larsen each had interceptions for the defense. Hudsen Hall, Ethan Brooks and Nathan Reich each recorded a sack for the Warriors.
St. Charles East 27, Metea Valley 10: The Saints (1-0) opened their season with a 27-10 nonconference victory over Metea Valley at Norris Stadium. Junior quarterback Cruz Herrera and senior tailback Johnny Solano helped the Saints rack up more than 425 yards of total offense, as St. Charles East won its first game for the first time since 2022.
Aurora Christian 27, Ottawa Marquette 18: Junior two-way threat Jalen Callaway scored three touchdowns — two rushing and one receiving — as Aurora Christian (1-0) survived two lengthy weather delays for a 27-18 road victory over Ottawa Marquette. Sophomore quarterback Juju Vasquez connected with Callaway on a 31-yard touchdown pass for the Eagles’ first score. Callaway, who scored one of his touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation, finished with 126 yards rushing, as the Eagles built a 27-6 second-half lead.
Huntley 49, Hampshire 0: Quarterback Malik Carter completed 10 of 12 passes for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while tailback Chase Hojnacki rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries with three touchdowns during Huntley’s 49-0 Fox Valley Conference triumph Friday night in Huntley. Eli Bruns and Ethan Albertson each recorded interceptions, while Dominick Savino added a fumble recovery, as the Red Raiders (1-0) spoiled Braden Foster’s debut as Hampshire head coach.
Hinsdale Central 27, Waubonsie Valley 10: Junior quarterback Beau Gatewood connected with classmate George Zilliox for a 23-yard touchdown pass with 8:56 remaining in the fourth quarter to help seal Hinsdale Central’s 27-10 nonconference victory over Waubonsie Valley in Hinsdale. Junior tailback Mikey Menza added a pair of touchdowns for the Red Devils (1-0), while senior Orestas Bockus booted a 50-yard field goal. Matt Rodriguez delivered a 23-yard field goal for the Warriors, whose lone touchdown came on a 60-yard first-half pass from quarterback Nolan Alberson to Aaron Williams.
Plainfield North 22, Lake Park 15: Trailing Plainfield North 22-8 in the fourth quarter, Lake Park fought back within striking distance after quarterback Tay’Sean Smith’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Drew D’Alessandro cut the deficit to 22-15 with 6:55 remaining. However, the Lancers’ comeback was cut short following an incomplete pass with 1:36 left on their final possession.
Willowbrook 20, Glenbard East 13: The Warriors (1-0) avenged last season’s seven-point, season-opening loss to the Rams with a 20-13 nonconference victory during a lightning-delayed contest in Villa Park. Junior quarterback Carter Holland teamed up with Niko Demos for a 16-yard touchdown off a reverse for the Warriors. Moises Velazquez booted a pair of field goals for Glenbard East.
Crystal Lake South 22, Prairie Ridge 8: Senior quarterback Michael Silvius tossed a 61-yard touchdown pass to Yeidan Ramirez midway through the third quarter and added a four-yard touchdown run during Crystal Lake South’s 22-8 Fox Valley Conference victory over Prairie Ridge in Crystal Lake. Ethan Phillips sealed the Gators’ first win over the defending FVC champion Wolves in 14 years dating back to 2012. It marked 10-year head coach Rob Fontana’s first win over Prairie Ridge.
Benet Academy 34, Lena-Winslow 28: Luca Diomede’s long kickoff return for a touchdown highlighted Benet Academy’s 34-28 road win over defending Class 1A champion Lena-Winslow during James White’s head coaching debut for the Redwings. Hawke Lawler scored on a 40-yard touchdown, and quarterback Alex Mitchell tossed a touchdown pass to Giovanni Sunderlin for the Redwings, who also received a two-point conversion from Tyler Lakis.
South Elgin 21, Orlando Oak Ridge 6: The Storm made their second appearance in Florida since 2017 a successful one with a 21-6 nonconference victory over Orlando Oak Ridge on Thursday night in Kissimmee, Fla. South Elgin opens its home campaign against St. Charles North on Friday night.
Glenbard North 27, Brookfield East 12: The Panthers provided new head coach Justin Kerwin with his first victory during their 27-12 nonconference triumph over Brookfield East in Wisconsin. Glenbard North hosts Benet Academy Friday night.
Montini 48, Hoopeston 0: The two-time defending state champion Broncos (1-0) celebrated the dedication of their home field in honor of former head coach Chris Andriano with a 48-0 victory over Hoopeston in Lombard. Senior quarterback Izzy Abrams highlighted the evening with a pair of first-half touchdown passes.