Week 8: Scouting the Metro Suburban
IC Catholic (7-0, 3-0) at Glenbard South (5-2, 3-0) Metro Suburban Blue
Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last week: IC Catholic 50, Wheaton Academy 0; Glenbard South 42, St. Edward 21.
Last year: IC Catholic 34, Glenbard South 28 (3 OT).
Outlook: IC Catholic aims for a share of a fourth conference title in five years. The Knights outscore foes 53-9 on average yet coach Bill Krefft expects another four-quarter game with the Raiders. IC's zone read forces foes to take away either quarterback Luke Ricobene, who completes 67 percent of his passes, or running back Jordan Rowell, who averages 153 yards rushing. Defensively, it starts up front with ends Jimmy Kenneally and Robert Vitek, tackles Ricky Mysliwiec and Mike Johnson. Last season Glenbard South running back Sean Cooke ran the ball 38 times against IC; he'll again pile up the carries. Quarterback Jack Crouch lends rushing balance, hitting the perimeter for a team-high 564 yards. It's assignment football on defense, where linebackers Adam Haushahn, Nick D'Ambra, Justin Squillo and Vince Marra - who picked off 2 passes last week - must stick to their responsibilities and maintain proper angles against the speedy Rowell.
Next week: IC Catholic at Fenton; Riverside-Brookfield at Glenbard South.
Fenton (3-4, 1-2) at Wheaton Academy (4-3, 0-3) Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.
The quick hit: Both teams consider this a playoff game, and it starts with the duel between Fenton nose tackle Dylan Butts against Wheaton Academy strongman center Derek Johanik. The Warriors hope to return Tyler Jackson and Harrison Taylor, a huge lift.
St. Edward (4-3, 0-3) at Riverside-Brookfield (5-2, 2-1)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday at Kennelly Athletic Complex
Quick hit: St. Edward, which has an actual enrollment of 375 and a classification enrollment of 635.25, faces the largest school in the Metro Suburban Blue with an enrollment of 1,618. "This team has 65 kids on the sideline but our kids are tough," Wave coach Mike Rolando said. "It's just another day at the office for us." The Green Wave and Bulldogs have split two meetings since St. Edward joined the MSC. End Brandon Broertjes and tackle Phil Welch return from injury to help the St. Edward defense.
Chicago Christian (2-5, 1-2) at Aurora Central Catholic (6-1, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Quick hit: The Chargers aim to bounce back from last week's disappointing Metro Suburban Red loss to league leader Ridgewood. A win would improve their playoff seed and increase the odds of hosting a playoff game. "It's the last home game for our seniors and nothing is guaranteed if we don't play well and end up 7-2," ACC coach John Belskis said. "We're not taking them lightly. They have some people who can play football."