Scouting Marengo at Aurora Central Catholic

Marengo (0-1) at Aurora Central Catholic (0-1)

Game time: 6 p.m. today

Last year: Marengo 14, Aurora Central 10.

Last week: Chicago Christian 27, Marengo 21; Genoa-Kingston 19, Aurora Central 0.

Outlook: Last week we said ACC would have to do better against Genoa-Kingston than the 44-0 loss in 2009. The Chargers did in a physical, emotional effort against the option. "If our defense plays the next eight weeks the way it did Friday night, I think we'll win a whole lot more than we'll lose," said coach Brian Casey, who made his head coaching debut. The Reuland boys, Joe and Mike, made a respective 13 and 10 tackles with linebacker Nick Holzer sandwiched between with 12. Pat Sweet intercepted a pass. Casey became a believer in senior defensive end T.J. Ali, who transferred from Waubonsie Valley as a sophomore but hadn't played since his freshman year. Ali finished with 7 tackles and 2 pass knockdowns. There is a challenge ahead with Marengo, stopping T-formation backs Bobby Gaines, Cody Baumann and a converted quarterback, fullback David Diedrick, who deliver a blow and fall forward off their dive and lead plays. There's also the challenge of adding offense after ACC ran for 41 net yards against Genoa, but Casey sees it as fixable through improved double-wing blocking schemes. ACC was sufficient through the air as Stewart deWaard completed 10 of 20 passes for 89 yards. "It'll certainly be even nicer when we have the threat of running the ball consistently to go with it," Casey said.

Next week: Marengo at Byron (1-0), Sept. 10; Chicago Christian (1-0) at Aurora Central, Sept. 10.