DuKane Conference
Wheaton Warrenville South (2-1) at Batavia (3-0)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: Batavia 42, Wheaton Warrenville South 21 (2019)
About the Bulldogs: Batavia’s defense is as dominant as ever. It only allows an average of 54 rushing yards and 65 passing yards per game. The Bulldogs had no trouble shutting down St. Charles East and Geneva through the first three weeks of the season. Tyler Jansey and Matt Weerts are fantastic at linebacker, but definitely keep an eye on Anthony Roberts and Evan Kopf at corner. Offensively, the Bulldogs have had zero trouble running the ball. The only question mark at this point is whether or not Trey Urwiler can get the passing game going, which Batavia believes it can quickly.
About the Tigers: The Tigers get a tough test this week and running back Eddie Robinson will have his hands full with the Batavia front-seven. Robinson is impressive, though, as he has 344 yards and averages 8.2 per carry. Kaleb Clousing is intriguing on the outside, so he’ll have the eye of quarterback Parker Brown.
FND Pick: Batavia
Lake Park (0-3) at Lake Park (1-2)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Lake Park 41, Geneva 2 (2019)
About the Vikings: The Vikings took one on the mouth against Batavia, but the Vikings are certainly improved from 2019. They are cycling both Jackson Reyes and Alex Porter at quarterback, but the engine of their offense seems to be running back Ethan Mayer, who has over 100 rushing yards on the season. Hayden McCoy is an intriguing player in the secondary for the Vikings.
About the Lancers: It’s definitely been a struggle for the Lancers on both sides of the ball, as they’ve been outscored 120-14 over three weeks. Lake Park’s lone scoring chance last week came at the Glenbard North 1-yard-line, but the Lancers were unable to convert.
FND Pick: Geneva
Wheaton North (2-1) at St. Charles North (2-1)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: St. Charles North 20, Wheaton North 17 (2019)
About the North Stars: The North Stars defense is definitely emerging to be among the top of the conference. Linebacker George Litgen (26 tackles, three sacks) leads it with Dan Kowaleski (21 tackles), Zach McClure (20 tackles) and Carmine Bastone (17 tackles) trail just behind. Offensively, running back Josh Bridges broke out for 130 yards and Jordan Nubin had three touchdowns last week.
About the Falcons: Wheaton North opened eyes with two blowout wins to start the season, but its 17-14 win over Wheaton Warrenville South last week was even more impressive. Junior quarterback Mark Forcucci is a playmaker both with his arm and his legs, as he showed against the Tigers. The Falcons’ big offensive line will be tested against a good North Stars’ defense. Linebacker Ross Dansdill, who leads Wheaton North in tackles, is an impressive sophomore.
FND Pick: St. Charles North
Glenbard North (1-2) at St. Charles East (0-3)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: Glenbard North 21, St. Charles East 7 (2019)
About the Saints: No doubt it’s been a challenging season for the Saints, as they were blown out by St. Charles North 34-0 last week. Offensively, the Saints completed one pass out of 23 attempts and punted nine times, had a missed field goal, a turnover on downs and an interception last week. Nathan Hayes and that group could really use a bounce-back week.
About the Panthers: Running back Denhim Betney carried the ball 34 times for 119 yards and three touchdowns last week, so he’ll certainly be a offensive focal point. The defense also had a number of high-caliber scoring plays. Davis Petty, Anthony Lopez, Colin Gudella are all standouts on that unit.
FND Pick: Glenbard North
Fox Valley Conference
Burlington Central (0-3) at Jacobs (1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Burlington Central 31, Jacobs 30 (2019)
About the Rockets: Burlington lost to Hampshire, 34-6, last week. … The Rockets suffered a big loss two days before last week’s game when QB Mark Ganziano sustained a broken wrist. … RB Gavin Sarvis has run for 308 yards this season on 68 carries.
About the Golden Eagles: First-year Jacobs coach Brian Zimmerman got his first varsity victory last week, 47-12, against Dundee-Crown. RB Ben Ludlum is third on the area rushing list with 329 and ran for four touchdowns last week. RB Nasir Canty has 137 yards rushing.
FND pick: Jacobs.
Interstate Eight Conference
Plano (1-2) at Kaneland (2-1)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: Kaneland 49, Plano 0 (2019)
About the Knights: The Knights head into this game clicking on offense after struggling in Week 1 against Sycamore, a 12-6 overtime loss. Freshman Troyer Carlson has taken over at quarterback, and junior Corey Phillips has taken more carries throughout the season. It also will be the final home game of the season for the Knights.
About the Reapers: Plano started the year with a 20-7 win against Ottawa but has since lost to Morris (35-12) and LaSalle-Peru (14-7).
Tony Licea leads the ground attack with 4.5 yards a carry and three touchdowns. Sammy Siefuentes will be the older of the two quarterbacks in the game. The sophomore has complete 11 of 30 passes for 143 yards and a TD this season. Kam Williams has five catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive lineman Nemo Denton is averaging 10 tackles and a sack per game.
FND Pick: Kaneland
Metro Suburban Conference
St. Francis (3-0) at Riverside-Brookfield (1-2)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: St. Francis 59, Riverside-Brookfield 13 (2019)
About the Spartans: St. Francis has been as dominant as any team over the spring season’s first three weeks, making one wonder how far the Spartans could have gone in a Class 4A bracket had there been a playoffs. Senior quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, with 554 passing yards and 168 rushing yards, is as good a dual threat as there is. Jackson Gerard and Elijah Lee are among a host of the weapons at Rittenhouse’s disposal, two of five receivers with at least five catches.
About the Bulldogs: The Bulldogs got in the win column last week with a 60-0 blowout of Ridgewood, but of course St. Francis represents a huge step up in class. Luke Swiatek is a player to watch, Riverside-Brookfield’s leading tackler and the second-leading receiver for quarterback Owen Murphy.
FND Pick: St. Francis.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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