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DuKane Conference
Glenbard North (4-0, 2-0) at Batavia (4-0, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: 49-7 Batavia (spring 2021)
About the Bulldogs: The Bulldogs enter this week with both their offensive and defensive units playing at a high level. Sophomore Ryan Boe has clearly settled in at quarterback and has three receivers with over 100 reception yards. Jalen Buckley continues to establish himself as one of the best two-way players in the conference (503 rushing yards, 95 receinving yards) and another playmaker seems to emerge each week – Eric Newberry being the new one from last week’s win over Lake Park.
About the Panthers: Glenbard North has also cleared each test so far, and has been getting it done with solid marks across all phases as well. In the last two weeks, the defense held Geneva and St. Charles East to a combined seven points. Paulie Robertson headlines a stout defensive front. Look for quarterback Justin Bland to break off a few explosive plays early.
Friday Night Drive Pick: Batavia
Geneva (3-1, 1-1) at St. Charles North (2-2, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: 35-13 SCN (spring 2021)
About the North Stars: St. Charles North has been snake bitten with injuries in the last number of weeks and is seeing its depth tested, particularly on defense. Last week, it struggled heavily to stop the run and the game was out of hand by the third quarter. Quarterback Ethan Plumb has had some growing pains as a young passer, but has gotten good contributions from John Vendl in the backfield.
About the Vikings: Off to its best start in six years, Geneva has surged out of the bottom of the conference for the time being. Mason Pawelko, Graham Borden, Carter Powelson and Alex Porter have all put their stamps on this team. Geneva survived late against Wheaton Warrenville South last week, and if not for a late pick six against Glenbard North, they could’ve vied for undefeated status.
FND Pick: Geneva
Wheaton Warrenville South (2-2, 1-1) at St. Charles East (1-3, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: Wheaton Warrenville South 49, Lake Park 7 (spring 2021)
About the Saints: St. Charles East is coming off a 23-0 loss to Glenbard North, and it doesn’t get much easier this week for a program trying to regain its competitiveness in the DuKane Conference facing a WW South team surely eager to get back on the field. Senior quarterback Nathan Hayes, a North Dakota State commit, is a player to watch. Austin Barrett, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound lineman, holds offers from Illinois, Iowa State and Syracuse.
About the Tigers: WW South is no doubt still smarting from a 13-12 loss to Geneva, a game in which the Tigers missed a potential winning field goal with just under three minutes left. Grant Rylander’s 5-yard TD run, a 38-yard Ben Berkley field goal and a safety accounted for WW South’s only points. With the bruising schedule ahead – games remain with Batavia, Wheaton North and Glenbard North – the Tigers can’t afford any more slip-ups if they hope to be playing football into the postseason. For starters, WW South needs to get its offense back on track. The Tigers have scored a combined 31 points over their last three gams.
FND Pick: Wheaton Warrenville South
-- Joshua Welge
Fox Valley Conference
Crystal Lake South (2-2, 2-2) at Burlington Central (2-2, 2-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: Crystal Lake South defeated Burlington Central, 27-8, in Week 2 of the 2019 season.
About the Gators: South defeated D-C, 39-23, last week. … QB Brady Schroeder had to step in for Justin Kowalak, who was injured, and threw for 244 yards and one touchdown. If Kowalak, who still leads the area with 844 passing yards despite missing a game, is not ready, Schroeder will get the call again. … RB Nate Van Witzenburg has rushed for 399 yards and leads the Gators with 19 receptions. WR Michael Prokos has 18 catches. … WR-DB Cooper LePage has a touchdown in each game, with receiving touchdowns in the first three and a fumble return on defense last week.
About the Rockets: Burlington Central lost to Huntley, 21-12, last week. … The Rockets were driving for a go-ahead scoring in the final two minutes but a fumble was ruled on Huntley’s 2-yard line and defensive back Nick Martino returned it 98 yards to seal the outcome. … RB-LB Gavin Sarvis leads the Rockets with 302 yards rushing, and Shawn Adkerson has 285 yards.
FND pick: Crystal Lake South
-- Joe Stevenson
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Interstate Eight Conference
Kaneland (2-2, 1-1) at Woodstock (2-2, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: First meeting since at least 1995
About the Knights: Kaneland snapped a two-game losing skid last week with a 56-21 win against Woodstock North.
“We got back on the winning side of things after a couple tough losses in Weeks 2 and 3,” coach Pat Ryan said. “We got back rolling again. I think we’re feeling good, and we’ve got some momentum, but the road doesn’t get any easier. We keep getting better but still have room for improvement. We have still got to get healthy.”
Playing without lead running back Corey Phillips, Chris Ruchaj stepped up with 147 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Ryan said Phillips’ status for Friday is up in the air.
“It showed we have someone else who can effectively run the ball,” Ryan said. “We weren’t necessarily expecting that kind of performance. One thing we knew is he is fast – he ran track in the spring. He’s a good athlete for us, playing defense. In a pinch, we threw him in there, and after a week of practice he emerged.”
It was the fewest points the Knights have given up this season, as Ryan said the defense has been steadily improving.
About the Blue Streaks: Woodstock is coming off its worst loss of the season, 63-13 to Morris, and the second time it has given up 60 points in a game this season.
The Blue Streaks like to keep the ball in the air, with quarterback Liam Mickle completing 65% of his passes for 784 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Ryan said with the Knights struggling at times against the run, this seems to be a good matchup for his team.
“Our matchup this week is a little better for us. I think we match up better with the spread than we do against power running type teams,” Ryan said. “We’re feeling good going into this week that maybe we have a better performance. We haven’t been super effective at stopping the run. We’re improving, but we still have room to grow.”
FND pick: Kaneland
-- Eddie Carifio
Metro Suburban Conference
Westmont (0-4, 0-2) at St. Francis (3-1, 1-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: St. Francis 63, Westmont 0 (2019)
About the Sentinels: Westmont lost to St. Edward 38-8 in Week 4, and has been outscored 152-22 on the season. A trip to St. Francis doesn’t sound like a recipe to get that turned around.
About the Spartans: St. Francis returns to the field after Chicago Christian had to forfeit its Week 4 game. Adam Criter has proven to be a playmaker for the Spartans in the early going this season with 381 yards and six TDs in three games. Ryan Calcagno is among the Spartans’ leaders defensively with 18 tackles against Prospect Week 3. This game could be an opportunity to get multiple players on the field with more challenging league games remaining on the St. Francis schedule. St. Francis remains at No. 4 in the latest Associated Press Class 4A poll.
FND Pick: St. Francis
-- Joshua Welge
CCL/ESCC
Marmion (3-1) vs. Marist (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: First meeting since at least 1995
About the Cadets: One thing is for sure: the Cadets can absolutely run the football. Through three weeks, they’re averaging 242 rushing yards per game, while opponents average 82. That also points to how strongly their defense has played. Josh Lim and Tyler Bradshaw headline the strong rushing attack
About the RedHawks: Quarterback Dontrell Jackson Jr. and lineman Deuce McGuire are the standouts on offense. Jackson Jr. is a true dual threat, averaging just shy of 90 passing yards and 80 rushing yards per game. Ak’Tavion Whitlock-Agee has 207 receiving yards and the Red Hawks, after being tripped up by Mount Carmel last week, are poised for a bounce back with a win over Nazareth already on the resume.
FND Pick: Marist