March 29, 2024
Illinois High School Football News


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Week 4 game previews: Suburban Life

IC Catholic Prep (3-0) at Bishop McNamara (2-1)

When: 7:15 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: IC Catholic beat McNamara 31-21 in last year's Class 4A state final.

About IC Catholic: The Knights enter this road test, a rematch of last year's Class 4A state final, rolling. Danny Cronin has thrown for 452 yards and rushed for 339. Kyle Franklin went for 125 yards in a 43-8 win over Wheaton Academy. ICCP has won the last four meetings with McNamara since losing the 2015 Class 3A final.

About McNamara: The Irish bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Coal City by blowing out Riverside-Brookfield 56-26. McNamara has averaged 52.5 points in its two wins. Running back/linebacker Owen Jackson, also an All-State baseball player, is one to watch.

Friday Night Drive pick: IC Catholic.

Lyons (1-2) at York (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: York beat Lyons 28-0 last year in LaGrange.

About York: The Dukes come in off a dramatic 28-26 win at Downers Grove North, getting a blocked field goal by Jeff Grace in the final minute. Nick Conroy had a huge game, 168 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries. He could be busy again pending the availability of Patrick Kastner, who left last week's game with an ankle injury. York's three games have been decided by a combined 11 points.

About Lyons: The Lions come in off a 23-13 loss to Oak Park-River Forest, a game in which Blaise Reichert threw for 148 yards and two TDs. Lyons' defense has been pretty steady, but the offense needs to score more points.

FND pick: York.

Nazareth (2-1) at St. Laurence (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Nazareth beat St. Laurence 34-0 in the 2015 Class 5A state semifinal in Burbank.

About Nazareth: The Roadrunners continue to take steps forward, and come in off a solid 28-6 win over Fenwick. J.J. McCarthy threw for 133 yards and a TD to Tyler Morris, and Alex Carillo ran for 105 yards and two TDs. This is Nazareth's first road game, and the opener of the CCL/ESCC Orange.

About St. Laurence: The Vikings come in off a heartbreaking 34-33 loss to Joliet Catholic, Anthony Arrendano's 42-yard field goal as time expired blocked. Nate Thomas ran for 265 yards in Week 2 against Eisenhower. St. Laurence is averaging just a tick over 40 points per game.

FND pick: Nazareth.

Hinsdale Central (3-0) at Oak Park-River Forest (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Hinsdale Central beat Oak Park-River Forest 7-0 last year in Hinsdale.

About Hinsdale Central: The Red Devils, up to No. 5 in the latest Class 8A Associated Press poll, get a tricky road test to start West Suburban Silver play. Michael Brescia threw for 143 yards and a touchdown to Braden Contreras in last week's 27-7 win over Hinsdale South. Owen Goss and the Red Devils' defense has given up a total of 23 points in three games.

About Oak Park-River Forest: The Huskies got a must win last week, beating Lyons 23-13. Junior quarterback Jaden McGill ran for 103 yards and a TD and threw for 220 yards and two TDs. Sophomore Eric Locke had four catches for 104 yards and a TD.

FND pick: Hinsdale Central.

Benet (3-0) at De La Salle (2-1)

When: 7 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Benet beat De La Salle 21-16 in 2002.

About Benet: The Redwings are off to a strong start with wins over Naperville North, Moline and St. Ignatius going into the league opener. Quarterback Colin Gillespie returned from a broken nose to run for two TDs and caught one from backup Michael O'Connor against Ignatius.

About De La Salle: The Meteors stepped up the competition level last week, and got shut out at Marmion 14-0. De La Salle's eight wins in 2018 was its most since 2009.

FND pick: Benet.

Morton (0-3) at Hinsdale South (1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Hinsdale South beat Morton 30-3 last year in Berwyn.

About Morton: The Mustangs' offense has regressed, scoring-wise, in each of the first few weeks. Last week Leyden had three interceptions in a 22-0 Morton loss.

About Hinsdale South: The Hornets' offense has struggled to get on track in both of the team's losses. Marquese Garrett threw for 100 yards and rushed for 93 last week in a 27-7 loss to Hinsdale South, his 71-yard TD to Jaylon Smith the lone score. It wouldn't be that surprising, though, to see the Hornets piece some wins together now that West Suburban Gold play is starting.

FND pick: Hinsdale South.

Riverside-Brookfield (2-1) at Aurora Christian (3-0)

When: 7 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Aurora Christian beat Riverside-Brookfield 6-2 last year in Riverside.

About Riverside-Brookfield: The Bulldogs, after wins the first two weeks, ran into a 56-26 buzzsaw last Friday against Bishop McNamara. It doesn't get much easier this week.

About Aurora Christian: The Eagles have outscored three opponents 182-7. Aurora Christian junior quarterback Ethan Hampton threw for five TDs last Friday in a 66-7 win over Aurora Central Catholic.

FND pick: Aurora Christian.

Downers Grove North (2-1) at Proviso West (0-3)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Downers Grove North beat Proviso West 42-6 last year in Downers Grove.

About Downers Grove North: The Trojans' valiant comeback fell short last Friday in a 28-26 loss to York. This week could be an opportunity for a get-well game. Drew Cassens ran for 177 yards and Josh Lumpkin 111 against York, leading a 330-yard effort on the ground. With Hinsdale Central and Glenbard West next, Trojans need to bank a win.

About Proviso West: The Panthers, 1-8 last year, have been outscored 137-24 through three games this season.

FND pick: Downers Grove North.

Proviso East (2-1) at Downers Grove South (1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Downers Grove South beat Proviso East 35-13 last year in Maywood.

About Downers Grove South: Tough loss for the Mustangs last week, as they led at Willowbrook 15-3 in the third quarter before losing 32-15. That kind of effort on the road bodes well for the rest of the season. Don't be surprised to see Jayden Lambert and Co. to start stacking up the wins.

About Proviso East: The Pirates have already matched last year's win total. However, both their wins came against 0-3 opponents.

FND pick: Downers Grove South.

Oak Forest (0-3) at Lemont (2-1)

When: 7 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Lemont beat Oak Forest 47-0 last year at Oak Forest.

About Lemont: The Indians' defense continues to be rock solid, having only allowed 18 points this season after a 26-0 win over T.F. South. The next three weeks should provide a good opportunity to stack up some wins.

About Oak Forest: The Bengals, 2-7 last year, have been outscored 103-42 in three games thusfar.

FND pick: Lemont.

Christ the King (1-2) at Westmont (1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Westmont beat Christ the King 45-0 last year in Westmont.

About Westmont: It's been a rough couple weeks for the Sentinels, outscored 118-7 at Hiawatha and St. Francis. This week provides an ample opportunity to bounce back.

About Christ the King: Christ the King, 0-9 last year, beat Walther Christian 14-6 in Week 2. But the school on Chicago's west side has been outscored 118-7 in the other two.

FND pick: Westmont.

Glenbard South (2-1) at East Aurora (1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Glenbard South beat East Aurora 42-13 last year in Glen Ellyn.

About Glenbard South: The Raiders, after two close wins to start the year, had a rough one last week – losing 49-14 to Bartlett. Cade Hardtke had a touchdown catch in the loss. The Raiders hit a soft part of their schedule now, so should be able to get well.

About East Aurora: The Tomcats come in off a thrilling 22-21 win over Larkin. Caleb Turner had the go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter and Orlando Garcia threw two TD passes to Kimani Williams.

FND pick: Glenbard South.

Glenbard West (3-0) at Addison Trail (0-3)

When: 7:30 p.m Friday.

Last matchup: Glenbard West beat Addison Trail 27-0 last year in Glen Ellyn.

About Glenbard West: The Hilltoppers' offense has been scary prolific in the early going this season, averaging 53 points in three wins. Joey Richmond had three TDs, two rushing and one receiving, against Proviso West last week. Braden Spiech threw for two scores.

About Addison Trail: The Blazers have fallen on hard times. Addison Trail, 1-8 last year, has been outscored 143-35 this season.

FND pick: Glenbard West.

Wheaton Warrenville South (3-0) at St. Charles East (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: WW South beat St. Charles East 27-14 last year.

About St. Charles East: The Saints had some trouble stopping Glenbard North's rushing attack last week, which could give the Tigers reason to believe they will be able run the ball effectively. Nathan Hayes was able to go to the air often, finishing with 217 passing yards.

About WW South: Few teams have figured out how to stop running backs Jake Arthurs and Prince Lankah so far, and Parker Brown continues to be very solid under center. The Tigers had little problem putting away Geneva last week.

FND pick: Wheaton Warrenville South.

Wheaton Academy (2-1) at St. Francis (2-1)

When: Noon Saturday (at Wheaton College)

Last matchup: St. Francis beat Wheaton Academy 20-9 last season.

About St. Francis: St. Francis' offense exploded last week, scoring 42 points in the first quarter. Tommy Rittenhouse continues to impress by throwing nine touchdowns to just one interception. Enzo Rendina is a top tackler on defense.

About Wheaton Academy: Sophomore quarterback David Dorn made his first start against IC Catholic last week and could be in again Saturday. Dorn threw for 14 completions for 98 yards last week.

FND pick: St. Francis.

Lake Park (1-2) at Wheaton North (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Wheaton North beat Lake Park 7-6 last year in Rochelle.

About Wheaton North: The Falcons come off a tough first loss, as they led a good St. Charles North team 17-7 into the second half before losing 20-17. Sophomore quarterback Mark Forcucci threw for 174 yards and a TD in the loss. Wheaton North, if it's going to make a playoff run, needs to secure victories the next few weeks before a tough closing stretch.

About Lake Park: The Lancers ran into a 56-0 Batavia buzzsaw last week. Senior running back Jordan Colon is a player to watch for a young Lake Park team offensively.

FND pick: Wheaton North.

Glenbard East (3-0) at Fenton (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: First known meeting.

About Glenbard East: The Rams struggled with turnovers, three of them in the first half, but still remained unbeaten with a 42-15 win over West Chicago last week. A Week 5 showdown with unbeaten South Elgin looms, but Glenbard East can't look past league newcomer Fenton.

About Fenton: The Bison, which moved from the Metro Suburban Red to the Upstate Eight this season, own wins over 0-3 teams Larkin and Streamwood. Fenton's last winning season was 2013.

FND pick: Glenbard East.

St. Rita (1-2) at Montini (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Montini beat St. Rita 29-13 last year in Lombard.

About Montini: The Broncos struggled to find consistency in a 27-20 loss to Mount Caravan last Friday. Senior quarterback Deontay Bell ran for 127 yards and threw for 133. This week represents the opener in the CCL/ESCC Green and a good opportunity to get back on track.

About St. Rita: The Mustangs have had quite a schedule to start the season, with a win over Joliet Catholic and losses at Richards and Loyola. St. Rita sophomore running back Kaleb Brown is one of the state's top prospects. He ran for 89 yards and a 41-yard TD in the 24-7 loss at Loyola in which turnovers ruined the Mustangs' chance at an upset.

FND pick: Montini.

Willowbrook (2-1) at Leyden (1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Willowbrook beat Leyden 26-9 last year in Villa Park.

About Willowbrook: Great comeback by the Warriors last Friday, rallying from 15-3 down in the second half to beat Downers Grove South 32-15. Sam Tumilty was 14-for-19 for 210 yards and three TDs. Everett Stubblefield III had five catches for 70 yards and two TDs.

About Leyden: The Eagles notched their first win, 22-0 over Morton after losses to unbeatens Shepard and Glenbard West. Dual-threat quarterback Jimmy Lonigro is one to watch.

FND pick: Willowbrook.