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Scouting Week 3 Fox Valley football games

Glenbard North (1-1, 0-0) at St. Charles East (2-0, 0-0)

Game time: today at 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Warren 19, Glenbard North 0; St. Charles East 38, Carmel 7

Outlook: It is a night of firsts at Norris Stadium. The Saints play their first home game on the new synthetic turf field installed over the summer. They also play their first DuKane Conference football game. The Panthers represent a step up in competition from the Saints' first two opponents. Glenbard North dropped its first two games against 2017 playoff participants, losing the opener to Neuqua Valley (31-14) and a twice-delayed game against Warren that was completed last Sunday. The St. Charles East triple option offense accumulated 559 total yards in Mundelein last week. Quarterback B.J. Crossen has completed 50 percent of his pass attempts (11 of 22) for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns without an interception. The junior has carried 20 times for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns behind a massive line that features senior Justin Hull (6-3, 290) and junior Dylan Barrett (6-5, 290). Senior fullback Justin Jett sat out in Week 1 due to injury but debuted last week with 166 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. The East offense gets a better test against Glenbard North, which made the playoffs last year as a 5-4 team but was eliminated in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs by eventual state champion Batavia, 21-7. "Glenbard North will be the toughest team we've faced yet by far," St. Charles East coach Bryce Farquhar said. "They're really aggressive up front. We're looking to match their intensity. You can tell that they're well coached. They're in the right locations, they're getting to the ball fast. They're a little young, but they make up for it with their intensity on the field." Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens seeks his 100th career victory.

Next week: Batavia (2-0) at Glenbard North; St. Charles East at Wheaton Warrenville South (2-0)

Wheaton North (1-1, 0-0) at St. Charles North (1-1, 0-0)

Game time: today at 7:30 p.m.

Last year: First meeting

Last week: Wheaton North 21, Lake Forest 12; Bolingbrook 34, St. Charles North 24

Outlook: There are no weeks off in the new DuKane Conference, which debuts with four games Friday. First up for the North Stars is Wheaton North, which bowed out of last year's Class 7A playoffs with a 20-17, second-round loss to eventual state champion Batavia. The Falcons won state titles in 1979, 1981 and 1986. "They're a perennial powerhouse," North Stars coach Rob Pomazak said. "They're very consistent on offense, defense and specials and they're extremely well coached. We can't make very many mistakes against them. Just play sound football." The North Stars played sound football for most of three quarters last week against Bolingbrook. Minnesota recruit Tyler Nubin, a wide receiver who last week ran the ball out of the wildcat formation 12 times for 69 yards, scored to put the North Stars ahead 24-10 with 4:02 remaining in the third quarter. However, Bolingbrook scored the next 24 points. Running back Quentin Pringle rushed 9 times for 229 yards and 4 touchdowns on runs of 80, 56, 45 and 24 yards. Pomazak said the coaching staff spent the week reinforcing the need for discipline on every play and every defensive wrap. Quarterback Kyler Brown acquitted himself well in his starting debut. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound junior completed 11 of 20 attempts for 185 yards, including touchdown throws of 34 and 80 yards to senior receiver Alec Kritta (6-0, 185). "I thought Kyler did extremely well," Pomazak said. "He put us in an extremely good position to win that football game." Brown faces a Wheaton North defense that registered 6 sacks last week against Lake Forest.

Next week: Wheaton North at Lake Park (1-1); St. Charles North at Geneva (0-2)

Dundee-Crown (2-0, 1-0) at Jacobs (1-1, 1-1)

Game time: today at 7 p.m.

Last year: Jacobs 57, Dundee-Crown 12

Last week: Dundee-Crown 35, McHenry 21; Huntley 42, Jacobs 7

Outlook: Jacobs has catapulted to a 19-16 lead in the all-time series between the District 300 rivals, thanks to 15-game winning streak. The Chargers have not defeated the Golden Eagles since a 28-19 win in 2002. "I told our guys it hasn't been much of a rivalry because we haven't beaten them since I was a senior in high school," Dundee-Crown coach and graduate Mike Steinhaus said. "But we're excited to go and compete against a very good Fox Valley Conference opponent. It's an opportunity we're looking forward to." The senior-heavy Chargers roared back to beat an opponent for the second straight week. D-C trailed McHenry 21-7 last Saturday in a continued FVC game before Kareem Dunner broke free or a 67-yard touchdown. The Chargers then recovered an onside kick and scored again on double-reverse pass from quarterback Josh Raby to Brad Stec. Raby capitalized on Nick Wolfe's fumble return with the go-ahead touchdown run and Rickey Ibarra capped the scoring with a 75-yard burst. Jacobs attempts to shake off last week's loss to physical Huntley ahead of another test from senior-heavy D-C. "We had a very physical practice on Monday and a physical practice on Tuesday and another good practice Wednesday," Jacobs coach Bill Mitz said. "I'm proud of the effort by our kids so far this week. No one hemmed and hawed after (the Huntley loss) because they know they lost to a good team." The Golden Eagles allowed 270 yards rushing last week. D-C's offense features the twin threat of running backs Ibarra (38 carries, 295 yards, 4 TD) and Dunner (22-181-2). "Ricky and (Dunner) do a nice job," Mitz said. "They are both good players. We're excited for the challenge."

Next week: Prairie Ridge (2-0) at Dundee-Crown; Jacobs at McHenry (0-2)

Huntley (2-0, 2-0) at Prairie Ridge (2-0, 2-0)

Game time: today at 7 p.m.

Last year: Prairie Ridge 51, Huntley 43

Last week: Prairie Ridge 57, Hampshire 6; Huntley 42, Jacobs 7

Outlook: One of the key matchups in the Fox Valley Conference this season pits defending league champion Prairie Ridge against Huntley, which finished second a year ago. There's nothing wrong with the Prairie Ridge offense. The Wolves graduated quarterback Samson Evans and lineman Jeff Jenkins, both now at Iowa, yet scored 58 points against Crystal Lake Central in the season opener and 57 points last week at Hampshire. The two-time Class 6A state champs enter Week 3 ranked atop the 6A poll. "They're not a whole lot different than they've been in the past," Huntley coach Matt Zimolzak said. "They have very good wings and a good fullback. Their quarterback is very good, too. They lose a guy like Samson and really didn't lose a step." The PR triple-option offense gets a test from a Huntley defense Jacobs coach Bill Mitz said is of the caliber of Loyola and Lincoln-Way East. That defense was led last week by senior linebackers Michael Talesky (10.5 tackles) and Blake Ottaviano (6 tackles, interception), senior safety Patrick Roppolo (3 tackles, interception) and sophomore lineman Brad Walker (6-1, 240). He forced 3 fumbles. Standouts on offense are two-way lineman Alex Pitrone (6-3, 280), senior wide receiver Michael Boland (13 receptions, 298 yards, 3 TD) and sophomore running back Tyler Havens (41 carries, 330 yards, 3 TD). "He's really come a long way in the last couple of weeks from learning the position to winning the position and, now, playing at such a high level," Zimolzak said of Havens. "It's something we were not expecting but we're very pleased he's been able to do that."

Next week: Prairie Ridge at Dundee-Crown (2-0); Cary-Grove (2-0) at Huntley

Aurora Central Catholic (1-1) at Aurora Christian (2-0)

Game time: today at 7 p.m.

Last year: Aurora Christian 47, Aurora Central Catholic 21

Last week: Richmond-Burton 17, Aurora Central Catholic 8; Aurora Christian 34, Urban Prep/Bronzeville 14

Outlook: This was a nonconference game last year. Not this time. Aurora Christian left the Chicago Catholic League along with St. Francis and Bishop McNamara and joined ACC in the Metro Suburban Conference. The neighboring Aurora private schools used to do battle as members of the Suburban Christian Conference, which disbanded after the 2013 season. "It's really nice that we're back in the same conference with Aurora Christian," Chargers coach Luke Brauweiler said. "It makes it a much tougher conference than it's been the last couple of years. This is one of those games you circle on the schedule. The kids are all from the same neighborhoods. If you look from the top of our press box, you can see their field." The Chargers are coming off a quality loss at Richmond-Burton, the No. 8 team in Class 4A. Senior cornerback Max Ariano and the defense are tasked with slowing Aurora Christian's spread offense, directed by sophomore quarterback Ethan Hampton. He threw a school-record 8 touchdown passes in a 69-14 win over Urban Prep/West in the season opener, breaking the record of 7 held by Jordan Roberts and Drew Clippert. Hampton's top targets are Caleb Beebe (11 rec., 164 yards, 5 TD) and Trey Madsen (11-191-4). "It's the same story year in and year out with those guys," Brauweiler said. "We have to be able to stop the pass. I thought it would get a little easier with their quarterback and top receiver graduated but they just reloaded." The ACC offense doesn't look quite the same on film to Aurora Christian. "They've changed it up a little bit," Eagles coach David Beebe said. "They're throwing the ball a little more with (quarterback) Jimmy Eul. He's doing a really nice job and gets rid of the ball quickly. They're a little more dynamic than last year with that double wing." Aurora Christian is ranked No. 7 in Class 1A.

Next week: Aurora Central Catholic at Chicago Christian (2-0); Aurora Christian at Riverside-Brookfield (1-1)

Larkin (1-1, 1-1) at East Aurora (0-2, 0-2)Game time: today at 7:30 p.m.

The quick hit: Larkin first-year coach Jesus "Zeus" Gonzalez did not participate in last week's win over Streamwood due to "a personal emergency," according to athletic director Ethan Karolczak, nor did Gonzalez coach the Royals at practice this week. Asked Wednesday about Gonzalez's status moving forward, District U-46 community relations director Mary Fergus declined to comment, calling it "a personnel matter." Karolczak confirmed Thursday that offensive coordinator Jason Aubry "is currently our interim head coach." Aubry was the head coach at Joliet West for eight seasons before resigning last November.

St. Edward (0-2) at Chicago Hope Academy (1-1)Game time: today at 7 p.m.

The quick hit: St. Edward looks to avoid an 0-3 start against Hope, a member of the Chicago Catholic League Red Division. The Eagles

won last year's meeting in Elgin 36-33. The Green Wave has been limited to 103 rushing yards in 51 attempts through 2 games.

Marmion (2-0) at Montini (2-0)Game time: today at 7 p.m.

The quick hit: Montini is 16-2 against Marmion since 2000, but the Cadets won last year on a late touchdown. Neither defense has allowed a point. "They have a tough defense," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. "They fly around, and no one goes both ways so that's a huge advantage. It's a great program. We have our hands full."

Streamwood (0-2, 0-2) at West Aurora (2-0, 2-0)Game time: today at 7:30 p.m.

The quick hit: Through 2 games, 11 different Blackhawks have carried the ball 61 times for a combined total of 608 yards and 13 touchdowns. Streamwood enters on a 12-game losing streak.

Glenbard South (2-0, 2-0) at Bartlett (1-1, 1-1)Game time: today at 7:30 p.m.

The quick hit: These schools meet for the first time in an Upstate Eight Conference game that will go a long way to determining which team will be in the playoff hunt. The Raiders defeated Streamwood and Elgin by a combined score of 57-13.

South Elgin (2-0, 2-0) at Elgin (0-2, 0-2)Game time: today at 7:30 p.m.

The quick hit: The Storm play their first road game while Elgin returns home to Memorial Field for the first time this season. Maroons quarterback Jordan West has completed 22 of 42 attempts for 315 yards and rushed 22 times for 80 yards. His top receivers are Xavier Bonds (8 rec., 121 yards) and Darien Jackson (3-95).

Lake Park (1-1, 0-0) at Batavia (2-0, 0-0)Game time: today at 7:30 p.m.

The quick hit: Batavia lifts the lid on DuKane Conference play. Sophomore Trey Urwiler rushed for 198 yards and caught a 36-yard touchdown pass in last week's 41-24 victory over Naperville North. The Lancers bounced back from a 27-0 home loss to DeKalb with last week's 30-0 win at Metea Valley.

Geneva (0-2, 0-0) at Wheaton Warrenville South (2-0, 0-0)Game time: today at 7:30 p.m.

The quick hit: The Tigers, who play their first four games at home, did not allow a point in victories over Metea Valley (26-0) and Lockport (41-0). That presents a challenge for a Geneva offense that has managed 21 total points against quality defenses from Niles Notre Dame and Kaneland.

Hampshire (0-2, 0-2) at Cary-Grove (2-0, 2-0)Game time: today at 7 p.m.

The quick hit: The Trojans are prohibitive favorites in this Fox Valley Conference matchup. Senior quarterback Ben McDonald has carried 39 times for 290 yards and 5 touchdowns. Senior Quinn Priester (6-3, 190) had 4 catches for 75 yards at split end last week.

Crystal Lake Central (0-2, 0-2) at Crystal Lake South (0-2, 0-1)Game time: today at 7 p.m.

The quick hit: The Gators play their first home game after narrow road losses to ranked Class 6A opponents Cary-Grove (29-22) and DeKalb (20-15). Central won last year's battle 34-29. The Tigers allowed 100 points combined in losses to Prairie Ridge and Cary-Grove.

Burlington Central (0-2) at Johnsburg (1-1)Game time: today at 7 p.m.

The quick hit: Central has rushed for a total of 140 yards in losses to Sycamore and St. Francis. Senior Matt Ganziano has 23 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. Senior receiver Kyle Moring (6-0, 185) has 5 catches for 79 yards. Defending Kishwaukee River Conference champion Johnsburg is 1-1 under new coach Sam Lesniak.

Rich Central (1-1) at Kaneland (2-0)Game time: today at 7:15 p.m.

The quick hit: The Knights did not allow a point in the first seven quarters this season. The defense has been paced by junior linebacker Wilson Giffney (33 tackles), senior linebacker Chaz Shaw (24 tackles) and junior defensive back Jimmy Marczuk (21 tackles, 1 sack).

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