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Batavia at St. Charles East
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: St. Charles East 30, Batavia 29 (2019)
About the Bulldogs: Batavia returns a number of starters on both sides of the ball, including QB Kyle Oroni, wideout Trey Urwiler, linebackers Matt Weerts and Ethan Ethridge and more. Batavia traditionally utilizes a well-balanced backfield, so AJ Sanders, Dondre Phillips, Josh Dornink and perhaps Weerts in short-yardage situations should expect a healthy dose of carries. Urwiler is always a threat for the big play up top. Defensively, look for linebacker Tyler Jansey to rack up tackles early.
About the Saints: The Saints don’t return the high number of starters like Batavia, but it definitely brings back the most important one – and perhaps best quarterback in the conference – in Nathan Hayes. At 6-foot-5, Hayes exhibits excellent traits including his high athleticism and arm talent and will give Batavia’s front seven a definite challenge. St. Charles East typically has a fantastic offensive line, and that should continue with Ty Risberg and Austin Barrett anchoring it.
Pick: Batavia
Burlington Central vs. Cary-Grove
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Last Matchup: Cary-Grove 42, Burlington Central 14 (2019)
About the Rockets: Led by three-year starting quarterback Mark Ganziano, the Rockets enter their second season in the Fox Valley Conference. Flanked by Gavin Sarvis, who had over 700 rushing yards last season, Ganziano has an excellent security blanket in the backfield. Jake Borman, Matt Eshoo and Zach Schultz all return to start on the offensive line. Defensively, linebackers Sean Adkerson and Ryan Gillette return as starters and will lead the defense.
About the Trojans: C-G will obviously miss fullback Blake Skol (1,266 yards, 20 touchdowns last season), who was a three-year varsity starter. They do, however, return Wade Abrams and Arik Mistak in the backfield. Defensively, Gyanni Kanellakis, Anthony Lamantia, Nathan Splitt and Toby Splitt all come back in the secondary, so experience there is a definite plus.
Pick: Cary-Grove.
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Kaneland at Sycamore
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last Matchup: Sycamore 35, Kaneland 14 (2019)
About the Knights: Sam Pryor is the top talent on both sides of the line for Kaneland and he’ll be flanked by three returning starters on the offensive line. Jack McIntire is an exceptional athlete out of the backfield and one could expect him to be a guy who gets the ball and often. Erik Teran is expected by the Kaneland coaching staff to have a big season at linebacker.
About the Spartans: The conference champs a year ago, Sycamore returns RB Nathaniel Altepeter, who took over after an injury to Logan Egler. Senior lineman Dylan Shuman, a three-year-starter, will be a standout on both sides of the ball.
Pick: Kaneland
St. Charles North at Geneva
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: St. Charles North 31, Geneva 6 (2019)
About the North Stars: Standout running back Nick DeMarco, a Notre Dame baseball recruit, isn’t playing football this spring, but Josh Bridges will be a fantastic player in his place. The North Stars graduated some top talent, but quarterback Michael Priami is an intriguing athlete and general word out of North has been positive on the Bartlett transfer. Where the North Stars might shine best is in the trenches, led by Northwestern recruit Carmine Bastone, but don’t sleep on a highly-productive linebacking corps that returns Dan Kowaleski and Zach McClure as starters.
About the Vikings: Offensively, the Vikings return a few intriguing players from last year’s team, headlined by RB Konner Mickelsen (64 carries, 219 yards in 2019) and WR Michael Ignoffo (6 receptions, 98 yards). Two-way starter Caden Naselli is another athlete to keep an eye on. Geneva traditionally likes to establish the run before breaking open the passing attack, so Mickesen should find himself busy throughout the game.
Pick: St. Charles North
St. Francis at IC Catholic Prep
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: St. Francis 20, IC Catholic Prep 19 (2019)
About the Spartans: The Spartans’ last meeting with the Knights was a memorable one, a 20-19 St. Francis’ win in October 2019 that snapped IC Catholic’s 33-game winning streak. Illinois State recruit Tommy Rittenhouse returns for his third season as starting quarterback. Sophomore lineman TJ McMillen has already accumulated five Division I offers. The roster was bolstered athletically with an infusion of transfers including Grayson Griffin and Elijah Lee from Waubonsie Valley and Adam Criter from Downers Grove North.
About the Knights: IC Catholic Prep had its streak of championship game appearances snapped with a 2019 quarterfinal loss to Richmond-Burton, so the Knights are itching to get back on the field. Kyle Franklin, an Indiana State recruit, is back for his fourth varsity season, having already run for nearly 5,000 yards and 74 touchdowns for his career. Eastern Illinois commit Chauncey Lee is a two-way player to watch. It’s a young group.
Pick: St. Francis