Scouting Bartlett at Metea Valley

Bartlett (4-2, 2-1) at Metea Valley (1-5, 1-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last: First meeting

Last week: Bartlett 42, South Elgin 23; Neuqua Valley 42, Metea Valley 0

Outlook: Bartlett took a major step toward its 10th playoff berth in 11 seasons with last week's thorough defeat of rival South Elgin. The Hawks, who played turnover-free football, have committed just 2 turnovers in their last 3 games, a stark turnaround from Weeks 2 and 3 in losses at Crystal Lake South and Waubonsie Valley. Bartlett intends to keep the current trend of mistake-free football rolling against the first-year program from Metea Valley in an Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division game. The only victory for the Mustangs came against winless East Aurora, but they lost by a single point to both Plainfield East (1-5) and division leading Waubonsie Valley (5-1). "They're going to be a good team, no doubt about it," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "We're only a few plays away from being 6-0 ourselves, but we can't take anybody lightly, that's for sure. Our two biggest things are not turning the ball over and keep running hard like we have to set up the pass." Against South Elgin, senior running back Andrew Puccini rushed for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns and quarterback A.J. Bilyeu ran for 113 yards and 4 touchdowns. A key for the Hawks will be a quick start on the heels of last week's emotional homecoming victory. "We're beat up, but we'll come out hard," Meaney said. "We talked all week about no letdowns."