Kane County Chronicle Football Capsules for Week 5

DuKane Conference

Batavia (3-1) at Glenbard North (2-2)

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday

Last Matchup: Batavia 24, Glenbard North 21 (2019)

About the Bulldogs: No doubt the Bulldogs had a clunker last week in a surprising 30-7 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South last week. The offense had six turnovers and the defense was nowhere near top form against the Tigers’ talented offense. The Bulldogs could possibly be more limited in the backfield with running back AJ Sanders leaving last week with an apparent leg injury. If he’s unavailable, Josh Dornink and Dondre Phillips would likely be featured more.

About the Panthers: A top focus for the Bulldogs defense will be running back Denhim Betney, who has played very well in recent weeks. The Panthers are coming off a convincing win over St. Charles East last week and have some momentum heading into a home matchup where Batavia was beat soundly last Friday. The front-seven will be busy keeping Dondre Phillips and company in check.

FND Pick: Batavia

Geneva (2-2) at Wheaton North (3-1)

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday

Last Matchup: Wheaton North 21, Geneva 0 (2019)

About the Vikings: The Vikings seemingly are rejuvenated with Alex Porter now entrenched at quarterback and the team seems to have re-set itself after a tough 2019. The Vikings tagged Lake Park last week for 41 points with scores made on both sides of the ball. Michael Ignoffo has emerged as a legitimate speed threat down the field.

About the Falcons: Wheaton North needs to get its offense back on track, after a 14-12 loss to St. Charles North knocked the Falcons from the ranks of the unbeaten. Running back Brayton Maske left the game with an injury. With a date with Batavia looming in Week 6, Mark Forcucci and the Falcons will want a good bounce-back effort this week.

FND Pick: Geneva

St. Charles North (3-1) at Lake Park (0-4)

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday

Last Matchup: St. Charles North 33, Lake Park 14 (2019)

About the North Stars: Wideouts Jordan Nubin and Ryan Doherty have enjoyed solid seasons, combining for 273 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Michael Priami has a 7-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio and running back Josh Bridges is averaging 66 yards per game to round out a emerging offense. Defensively, linebackers Dan Kowaleski and George Litgen have 29 tackles apiece while Paolo Gennarelli has 24. The North Stars have six tacklers with at least 20.

About the Lancers: Geneva carved up the Lancers for 41 points last week, which was more points than the 2019 Vikings scored the entire season combined. It’s been a challenging season for Lake Park, which has been outscored by a combined 161-20.

FND Pick: St. Charles North

St. Charles East (0-4) at Wheaton Warrenville South (3-1)

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: St. Charles East 28, Wheaton Warrenville South 20 (2019)

About the Saints: St. Charles East did generate some better results on the scoreboard last week against Glenbard North, but stringing together consistent drives continues to be a challenge. The Saints are replacing a plethora of starters and it continues to show as the season draws nearer to a close.

About the Tigers: The Tigers’ defense definitely had a spirited effort in holding Batavia to a shutout until the final seven seconds of the contest. Danny Healy had a great game with an interception and fumble recovery. Offensively, the Tigers have plenty of weapons with Kaleb Clousing, Eddie Robinson and Parker Brown all playing extremely well in the last number of weeks.

FND Pick Wheaton Warrenville South

Fox Valley Conference

Dundee-Crown (0-3) at Burlington Central (0-4)

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Last matchup: Burlington Central 15, Dundee-Crown 9 (2019)

About the Chargers: D-C lost to Huntley, 42-6, last week. QB Bryan Ward has thrown for 456 yards.. WR Hunter Guyon leads D-C with eight catches. The Chargers had a slow start to their season, missing the first game with a COVID-19 quarantine and still missing players in its second game against Crystal Lake Central.

About the Rockets: Burlington Central lost to Jacobs, 46-26, last week. RB Gavin Sarvis has rushed for 420 yards on 88 carries. QB Shawn Adkerson put up good numbers last week replacing starter Mark Ganziano (broken arm), completing 12 of 18 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns.

FND pick: Burlington Central.

Interstate Eight Conference

Kaneland (3-1) at Ottawa (0-3)

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Kaneland 61, Ottawa 7 (2019)

About the Knights: Kaneland has won three straight since losing to Sycamore in overtime, with all three wins coming at home. The defense has dominated for the Knights this year, with the starting unit allowing only 12 points so far this season. They’re coming off a 26-6 win against Plano last week. Kaneland coach Pat Ryan said that the offense, on the other hand, still has room for improvement. They’ve had a couple standout performances from running back Corey Phillips and freshman quarterback Troyer Carlson has shown glimpses, but the team has turned the ball over too many times, Ryan said.

About the Pirates: Ottawa goes into its penultimate game of the season and home finale after a 34-6 loss to undefeated archrival La Salle-Peru. Though the Pirates are winless, their improvement and ability to compete – at least in stretches – with the rest of the Interstate Eight has been a light down the tunnel for the squad led by RBs Bryant Schomas (144 yards rushing this season) and Javarius Whitfield (107 yards), QB Braiden Miller (47-83, 470 yards, 2 TDs, 5 INTs) and DL Ryder Miller (4 TFLs, 1 QB sack).

FND Pick: Kaneland

Metro Suburban Conference

Elmwood Park (1-2) at St. Francis (4-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: First known meeting

About the Tigers: A difficult two-week stretch for the Tigers, coming off a 51-6 loss to Bishop McNamara. Elmwood Park actually had three straight winning seasons coming into this spring, but St. Francis is clearly a step up in class.

About the Spartans: It will be hard for Tommy Rittenhouse to top last Friday. The Illinois State recruit threw a career-high six touchdown passes, three to Tyler Bishop, in a 58-7 win over Riverside-Brookfield. The Spartans have been as dominant as any team around this spring, and figure to keep things rolling.

FND Pick: St. Francis