Fox Valley Conference Week 4 previews

Jacobs Golden Eagles (3-0) at Grayslake Central Rams (0-3)

When: 7:15 p.m., Friday

Last week: Jacobs def. Rock Island, 28-18; Grayslake Central lost to Hampshire, 40-17.

Jacobs is a clear favorite against the Rams, who have been outscored 151-31. "Our kids can read the papers so they know (Grayslake) has had some tough games, no doubt," Jacobs coach Bill Mitz said. "They have some good players, so we're hoping to play well and keep improving as a team."

Grayslake Central is struggling to keep opponents off the scoreboard. The Rams have given up 151 points in three games, for an average of 50.3 points per game. Offensively, quarterback Luke Shepherd is Grayslake Central's primary threat. He scored 2 touchdowns last week and passed for 159 yards.

Cary-Grove (3-0) at Woodstock North (3-0)

Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday

The quick hit: The Thunder stayed undefeated by beating crosstown rival Woodstock 17-13 last week. Cary-Grove enters ranked No. 3 in Class 6A. The Trojans average 417 yards and 39.6 points per game, led by fullback Tyler Pennington. The junior has rushed 89 times for 428 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Grayslake North Knights (2-1) at Normal West Wildcats (1-2)

When: 6 p.m., Friday

Last week: Grayslake North lost to Cary-Grove, 68-12; Normal West lost to Normal Community, 35-14.

After strong showings over the first two weeks, including a dramatic win over rival Lakes in the season opener, Grayslake North took a thumping last week. Cary-Grove rolled up 453 rushing yards on its way to a 556-yard game. The Knights used two quarterbacks last week, Jacob Wright, who got the call when veteran starter Merrick Gentile went down in a preseason scrimmage with a knee injury, and new backup Hunter Ambre, who threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Aikin against Cary-Grove. Normal West is allowing 40 points per game. One of West's losses came in double overtime, a 55-48 loss to Belleville East in Week 2.

Crystal Lake South (2-1) at Crystal Lake Central (2-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Crystal Lake South 42, Bloom 12; Prairie Ridge 42, Crystal Lake Central 7

Last year: Crystal Lake Central 7, Crystal Lake South 3

This will be the only battle of Crystal Lake this season for the Gators since Prairie Ridge is not on their schedule. At 2-1, CL South is off to its best start since opening 3-0 in 2011, when it finished 10-2 and made a state quarterfinal appearance. The 2015 team has borrowed a page from the 2011 team's philosophy book. "We're playing the kind of football we played in the past when we had success," CL South coach Chuck Ahsmann said. "We're able to run the ball and play good defense. If we keep doing that moving forward, it's going to lead to success." The offensive line made sure senior running back Corey Sheehan moved forward last week by paving the way for his 187 yards and 4 touchdowns in 22 attempts. Ahsmann lauded the play of his defense, led by active inside linebacker Dylan Sambrano. The 5-11, 210-pound senior's 30.5 tackles (30 solo) are more than double the total of his closest teammate. Sambrano has 4 tackles for loss and a sack. The Tigers were shut down offensively last week by Prairie Ridge, which plays the same style of 3-3-5 defense the Gators have employed for several years. Iowa-bound defensive end Romeo McKnight (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) has yet to play for CL Central this season due to a sprained knee suffered in an Aug. 21 scrimmage. Tigers coach John McLaughlin has said McKnight is week to week at this point, according to reports. The Gators won't be surprised if McKnight, also a Class 2A state champion wrestler at 220 pounds, makes his debut in the crosstown rivalry game. "Our kids hope he plays," Ahsmann said. "They want to play teams at their best. They don't want there to be any excuses. If you're a competitor, you want to play the best."

Huntley (3-0) at Hampshire (2-1)

Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday

The quick hit: Hampshire committed 7 turnovers last week and still scored 40 points, but such mistakes won't be forgiven against powerful Huntley, which has outscored its opponents 134-46. "We have to play toe-to-toe with these guys and make a statement that we're ready to compete when we move up to play the bigger schools next year," Hampshire coach Mike Brasile said.

Dundee-Crown (1-2) at Prairie Ridge (2-1)

Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday

The quick hit: The Dundee-Crown defense played well last week against Morris, but the offense struggled to move the ball without quarterback Conor Ryan. He is expected back this week, D-C coach Mike Steinhaus said. Prairie Ridge and sophomore quarterback Samson Evans enter ranked No. 6 in Class 6A.