Scouting Week 7 Fox Valley football

Burlington Central (4-2, 1-1) at Harvard (6-0, 2-0)

When: today at 7 p.m. at Dan Horne Field

Last year: Burlington Central 33, Harvard 24

Last week: Burlington Central 33, Genoa-Kingston 0; Harvard 42, North Boone 14

Outlook: Burlington Central is still very much in the title hunt in the Big Northern Conference's East Division. To have a chance at a split title with league-leading Richmond-Burton, the Rockets must take care of business on the road against undefeated Harvard, then root for Harvard to knock off Richmond-Burton the following week. The first part of that equation entails beating a Harvard team that puts the ball in the air more frequently than the program has in past years. Quarterback Timmy Linhart has already thrown for nearly 700 yards and has 5 touchdown passes for a team ranked No. 6 in the Class 4A poll. Most of that yardage and all 5 scoring passes were thrown to senior wide receiver Collin Nolen. "They're throwing the ball pretty successfully," Central coach Rich Crabel said. "(Nolen) is one really talented receiver and (Linhart) throws the ball well. The pass sets up the run for them and sometimes it gets them down into scoring position with long plays. Then they go to what they've done traditionally and pound you a little bit." The Harvard offense has not been tested by a defense like Central's, a unit limiting opponents to 9.7 points and 164 yards per game. The defense has been led by senior middle linebacker Chandler Crary, who has been part of 97 takedowns, solo and assisted combined. Leading receiver Zach Ranney was cleared to play midweek but "we'll take that slow and see how he looks," Crabel said Wednesday. Ranney suffered a noncontact foot injury two weeks ago and sat out the victory over Genoa-Kingston. The returning all BNC-East wide receiver has been junior quarterback Ryan Ritchie's top target. In five games Ranney has 19 catches for 324 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Next week: North Boone at Burlington Central; Harvard at Richmond-Burton

Hampshire (1-5, 1-2) at Woodstock (0-6, 0-4)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at Larry Dale Field

Last week: Hampshire 27, Johnsburg 26, OT; Grayslake North 49, Woodstock 21

Outlook: The cloud over Hampshire lifted last week as the Whip-Purs snapped a 9-game losing streak. Tasting victory was the reward for a team that has continually practiced hard, according to their coach. "It's nice to see the kids smiling," Dan Cavanaugh said. "It's been a tough go and it was really good to see them get a win. They earned it." Senior Chase Lundry rushed for 183 yards and 3 touchdowns last week, his way paved by the offensive line of center Nick Denardo, guards Jarett McArdle, Tyler Penny and Dalton Ritchey, tackles Grant Bender and Mike Gibas and tight end Cody Ackmann. Lundry has rushed for 762 yards and 9 touchdowns on 136 carries (5.6 avg.). Lundry is also a safety who leads the Whips in tackles. He and the rest of the Hampshire defense will be on guard against the Blue Streaks, who have thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdown passes (5). Winless a week ago, the Whips could theoretically move into a tie for third place by winning their second consecutive Fox Valley Conference Fox Division game. "We're going in feeling good coming of the win and we've had a very good week of practice," Cavanaugh said. "That said, Woodstock has played some good competition and they have a good team. They are very athletic and their overall speed on both sides of the ball is impressive. It should be a good game."

Next week: Woodstock North at Hampshire; Woodstock at Huntley

Prairie Ridge (6-0, 3-0) at Jacobs (6-0, 3-0)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at Jacobs Athletic Field

Last week: Jacobs 48, Huntley 19; Prairie Ridge 41, Crystal Lake South 16

Last year: Prairie Ridge 33, Jacobs 6

Outlook: This game between Fox Valley Conference unbeatens pits preseason favorite Prairie Ridge against up-and-coming Jacobs. Jacobs broke into the Associated Press poll this week at No. 10 in Class 8A. The Wolves, again loaded with talent in the wake of back-to-back state semifinal appearances, slipped from No. 1 to No. 2 in Class 6A this week. The winner gains the inside track to the FVC Valley Division title. "It's a golden opportunity for us," Jacobs coach Bill Mitz said. "It's at home so we'll have a great crowd. We already had one big game like this and we responded well (a 28-20 victory over Cary-Grove). We have to come out ready to play, hitting hard. We've looked good in practice all week, as good as we've looked all year." The Jacobs offense leads the area with an average of 418.5 yards per game. Quarterback Jason Judson has completed 60 of 95 attempts (63.2 percent) for 967 yards and 9 touchdowns and has been intercepted just once. He has also rushed for 119 yards and 3 scores. Judson's top receiver has been junior Jake Gierlak (19 rec., 422 yards, 3 TDs). The Golden Eagles have gained 1,536 yards on the ground, led by seniors Caz Zyks (90 carries, 831 yards, 10 TDs) and Kyle Wright (68-432-8). Prairie Ridge plays terrific defense. The Wolves allowed 16 points last week against highly ranked Crystal Lake South, matching their total allowed in five previous games combined. Offensively, quarterback Nick Nissen, fullback Connor Greenwald and running back Jordan Getzelman lead a Prairie Ridge attack averaging 45 points per game. "They're a good team, no doubt about it," Mitz said. "It'll probably come down to turnovers. Games like this people think it will be 38-35, but it usually ends up 10-7. You never know what will happen, especially if the ball ends up on the carpet a couple of times. We're excited. The community is excited. The stage is set. Let the best team win."

Next week: Jacobs at Crystal Lake South; Prairie Ridge at McHenry

Cary-Grove (4-2, 1-2) at Huntley (1-5, 1-3)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at Harmony Road Campus

Last week: Cary-Grove 56, McHenry 13; Jacobs 48, Huntley 19

Last year: Cary-Grove 28, Huntley 6

Outlook: The Trojans exploded offensively in a rout of McHenry last week, led by quarterback Quinn Baker. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior ran for 120 yards and 5 touchdowns and threw for 114 yards and another score. "He really has a burst," Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. "He has a fullback's body, but he has some explosion to him and he reads the option well. It's not like all those runs last week were predetermined runs; he just reads and does a good job." The touchdown pass was Cary-Grove's first of the season. The Trojans nearly had a second scoring pass, but running back Ryan Mahoney was tackled at the 1-yard line. Standout linebacker Sam Babick practiced in half pads this week but will remain sidelined by injury. Last week's loss eliminated Huntley from playoff contention, however, the junior-heavy Red Raiders still have much to play for as far as development. "These last three weeks the guys just have to go out and play like they love the game," Huntley coach Matt Gehrig said. "That means every snap we're going to do our best to play hard and play sound and make sure we finish each play. No matter what happens any team that plays us would say we played them physically and played them hard on every down." The banged-up Red Raiders will be missing third-year guard Mike Silvestri again this week.

Next week: Dundee-Crown at Cary-Grove; Woodstock at Huntley

Crystal Lake South (5-1, 3-1) at Dundee-Crown (0-6, 0-3)

When: today at 7:15 p.m. at D-C Bowl

Last week: Prairie Ridge 41, Crystal Lake South 16; Woodstock North 25, Dundee-Crown 6

Last year: Crystal Lake South 40, Dundee-Crown 0

Outlook: CL South's loss to highly regarded Prairie Ridge didn't hurt the Gators too badly in the state rankings. Falling to the No. 1 team in Class 6A dropped CL South from No. 4 to No. 8 in this week's Class 7A Associated Press poll. The challenge isn't as daunting this week against the young Chargers, who haven't won since the 2009 season opener against Elgin. "We're really focused on our team," Gators coach Chuck Ahsmann said. "We need to take care of the football this week. Any time you turn the ball over five times you should get your butts beat, and we did. We got a little dinged up against PR, nothing too bad but some bumps and bruises. We're trying to get healthy." Statistics say the Gators could pitch their second shutout of the season. CL South's defense has limited its opponents to 116 yards per game. Meanwhile, the D-C offense averages 135.5 yards per games. There is no letup in the schedule for the Chargers, whose final three opponents (CL South, Cary-Grove, Prairie Ridge) own a combined record of 15-3. Complicating matters, D-C starting quarterback Garrett Ryan will miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury. "It's going to be tough," D-C coach Vito Andriola said. "We have three really good teams to play at the end of the year. It would have been nice to play these guys with Garrett but it is what it is."

Next week: Dundee-Crown at Cary-Grove; Jacobs at Crystal Lake South

Montini (4-2, 2-1) at St. Edward (4-2, 1-2)

When: today at 7 p.m. at Greg True Field

On the air: WRMN-1410 AM and streaming live at wrmn1410.com, announcers Jeff Myers and Kyle Bault, 7:05 p.m.

Last week: Marian Central 47, St. Edward 3; Montini 33, St. Francis 14

Last meeting (2008): Montini 33, St. Edward 27

Outlook: The story hasn't changed. The Green Wave still need one more win to become playoff eligible. Once again they'll have to beat a state-ranked team to do it. Last week that challenge proved too stiff against Marian Central, the No. 1 team in Class 5A. This time around the Green Wave welcome the Broncos, ranked No. 6 in Class 5A. St. Edward has not beaten Montini since 1997 (22-14). The Broncos have won 11 straight games in the series. Rivals since the days of the old West Suburban Catholic Conference, the teams did not play the last two seasons, each of which culminated in Montini winning a Class 5A state championship. The St. Edward secondary was burned repeatedly last week by Marian Central receivers. To have a chance against Montini those defenders must limit the effectiveness of Broncos wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Nebraska recruit broke every single-season receiving school record last year. "It's another tough test against at team that has athleticism and size," St. Edward coach Mike Rolando said. "We've lost to two good teams badly because we played poorly in both of those losses. I'd like to see us show up against a good team this week and execute and play a good game. Then let the chips fall where they may."

Next week: St. Edward at Aurora Christian; Montini at Walther Lutheran

Metea Valley (3-3, 1-3) at Bartlett (4-2, 3-0)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Millennium Field

Last week: Bartlett 45, South Elgin 10; Neuqua Valley 52, Metea Valley 6

Last year: Bartlett 41, Metea Valley 7

Outlook: It all went right for Bartlett last week in a drubbing of rival South Elgin, a win that put Bartlett in position to defend its Valley Division title in the Upstate Eight Conference. The Hawks can move to 4-0 in division play with a victory over Metea Valley, which has backslid ever since quarterback Jarrett House was lost to knee injury. Prior to House's injury the Mustangs were 3-0 and had outscored their opponents 116-34. Since House's injury they are 0-3 and have been outscored 136-6. The Mustangs completed 1 of 17 passes last week in a blowout loss. "No question quarterback is the most important position because he makes the offense go or not," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "I think they'll try to do some other things. They'll put a running back at quarterback sometimes and run the wildcat a little. Defensively, our kids still need some work. We're giving up too many yards." The Bartlett defense allows averages of 298 yards and 15.2 points per game. Offensively, Air Force-bound quarterback A.J. Bilyeu has responded well since a loss at Batavia in which he was intercepted five times. In two subsequent outings Bilyeu completed 16 of 27 attempts for 334 yards and 4 touchdowns without a pick. Fullback Nate Massey remains banged up. He did not practice this week but is expected to play against Metea Valley. It's homecoming at Bartlett, but the players can forget about the pageantry. "Our part of homecoming is playing football and winning the game," Meaney said.

Next week: Bartlett at Neuqua Valley; Lake Park at Metea Valley

East Aurora (0-6, 0-3) at South Elgin (2-4, 2-2)

When: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at South Elgin Stadium

On the air: WEPS 88.9-FM, announcers Jeff Myers and SEHS student Ed Mitchell, 1:15 p.m.

Last week: Bartlett 45, South Elgin 10; Lake Park 49, East Aurora 0

Last year: South Elgin 52, East Aurora 8

Outlook: East Aurora has lost 27 straight games but not due to lack of effort, according to South Elgin coach Dale Schabert. Last season he complimented East Aurora coach Bill Bryant after the game for the effort Bryant's Tomcats played with throughout a lopsided loss. "I have a great deal of respect for what Bill and his staff are trying to do," Schabert said. "They've struggled, but the kids keep coming back again and again and play hard. Sometimes high school football is about far more than wins and losses." The Storm are physically beaten up on the heels of consecutive physical contests against Valley Division leaders Neuqua Valley and Bartlett. South Elgin would like to put some points on the board early and let the reserves do much of the heavy lifting. South Elgin tackle Jon Slania will sit out for the second straight game with an injury, but he is expected to return next week when the Storm host a crucial UEC crossover against Geneva. Tight end Zach Saldivar will fill the vacancy at tackle.

Next week: Geneva at South Elgin; Waubonsie Valley at East Aurora

Streamwood (5-1, 2-1) at Geneva (5-1, 3-1)

When: today 7:30 p.m. at Burgess Field

Last week: St. Charles East 49, Streamwood 34; Batavia 46, Geneva 34

Last year: Geneva 48, Streamwood 7

Outlook: The winner gets second place in the River Division of the Upstate Eight Conference. Both teams endured their first loss of the season last week. "It was one of those nights where if it could go wrong, it did," Streamwood coach Cal Cummins said of a loss to previously winless St. Charles East. "Maybe we were pressing a bit to get that sixth win." Getting win No. 6 against the Vikings will require a balanced offensive attack by Streamwood. Geneva gave up 232 yards rushing in the second half last week in a loss to Batavia. Streamwood's Alex Morrow will try to inflict similar damage. He leads the Fox Valley area in rushing with 922 yards and 13 touchdowns on 125 carries (7.4 avg.). Streamwood lefty quarterback Dalton Lundeen is the area's second leading quarterback with 992 yards on 53-of-99 passing. Lundeen has thrown 12 touchdowns without an interception. Geneva tamed Streamwood with ease last season, but the Sabres hope to compete with the Vikings this time around. "They are an extremely solid team, but these are the games you prepare for in the off-season," Cummins said. "It's the kind of game you want to play and get up for, the kind where we'll have to play solid football from start to finish. They take the approach that what they do is good enough and you have to stop us. It'll be interesting to see how we bounce back."

Next week: Larkin at Streamwood; Geneva at South Elgin

Elgin (1-5, 0-4) at Batavia (6-0, 3-0)

When: today at 7:30 p.m.

Last week: St. Charles North 37, Elgin 13; Batavia 46, Geneva 34

Last year: Batavia 28, Elgin 7

Outlook: Batavia flexed its might last week by overwhelming rival Geneva in the second half to take sole possession of first place in the Upstate Eight Conference's River Division. The Bulldogs got a scare in that game when third-year starting quarterback Noel Gaspari was injured. However, Batavia coach Dennis Piron said Monday that Gaspari was "likely to play" against Elgin after suffering a slight separation of his non-throwing shoulder. Gaspari has completed 79 of 115 attempts (68.6 percent) for 1,353 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has been intercepted only twice. His top targets have been 6-foot-5 junior Zach Strittmatter (23 rec., 413 yards, 2 TD) and seniors Evan Zeddies (18-332-3) and Jon Gray (13-285-2). The Bulldogs have also rushed for 19 touchdowns, led by 245-pound senior fullback Alec Lyons (6). "They're a good team, no doubt about it," Elgin coach Dave Bierman said. "We need something to break whether that's a long run or a special teams play or an interception. Leverage is going to be key on the lines. If you play high, it's going to be a long night." The Maroons get a bit healthier this week. Senior fullback Jake Bartelt returns after missing the St. Charles North game, as does senior lineman Jorge Zavala. The Batavia offense averages 402 yards per game; Elgin allows an average of 344 yards.

Next week: St. Charles East at Elgin; Batavia at St. Charles North

St. Charles North (1-5, 1-2) at Larkin (3-3, 2-1)

When: today at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Field

Last week: St. Charles North 37, Elgin 13; Waubonsie Valley 57, Larkin 7

Last year: St. Charles North 42, Larkin 14

Outlook: This is a must-win game for Larkin, which needs two more victories to gain playoff consideration. The task is no gimme against a reinvigorated group of North Stars fresh off their first victory of the season. "We just have to want it more than they do," Larkin coach Mike Scianna said. "We have a little more on the line. I think for the first time all year we're starting to feel the pressure, whereas, St. Charles North has nothing to lose. They just want to keep winning and get going in the right direction and finish strong going into the following year. We have to have the mindset that we want this. We have to come out hitting and match their intensity." Larkin's backfield was physically punished by Waubonsie Valley's defense last week. The Royals went through four running backs due to multiple injuries. Most of those backs have remained tender throughout the week and will be game-time decisions, Scianna said. One player definitely ruled out is linebacker/running back Drew Shore. The senior suffered a leg injury last week when he was tackled with his foot planted. The team captain still attended practices this week on crutches to support his teammates. The injuries put more of the burden on third-year quarterback Kyle Newquist, who has completed 43 of 96 attempts for 782 yards and 5 touchdowns against 1 interception. "We're going to need for Kyle to play a big game," Scianna said. "I think these teams are pretty evenly matched. They're probably a little bit bigger. We might be a little undermanned, but we're sure going to give it all we have."

Next week: Larkin at Streamwood; Batavia at St. Charles North