Huntley (4-1, 0-1) at Jacobs (4-1, 1-0), 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last year: Jacobs 27, Huntley 20.
Key players: Huntley — RB Casey Haayer, WR Brandon Altergott. Jacobs — QB Chris Katrenick, C Jeff Sidor.
Outlook: Katrenick, a sophomore, has been sacked once this year and thew one interception, and that’s understandable with a strong line and defenses worrying about running back Josh Walker. However, Huntley’s strength is the defensive line. How the young Jacobs passer stands up to more pressure and whether Huntley can muster enough running game with Haayer figure to be key points in a Fox Valley Valley battle. Jacobs has won four straight, Huntley is coming off its first loss, to Cary-Grove last week. Jacobs needs a win to set up a showdown with Cary-Grove for first in the Fox Valley Valley next week. Huntley can get in the title chase again with a win.
Glenbard East (3-2, 2-1) vs. Bartlett (2-3, 1-2) at Streamwood, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year: Did not play.
Key players: Glenbard East — QB Drake Pusateri, WR Joey Moore. Bartlett — RB Nolan Bernat, LB Dan Danek.
Outlook: Two teams coming off different types of losses. Bartlett suffered an upset at the hands of West Aurora, which had been winless. Meanwhile, Glenbard East came within a blocked conversion in overtime against one of the state’s best 8A teams, Waubonsie Valley, and did it with backup QB Phil Abruzino throwing for 250 yards. Pusateri is back as the starter for Glenbard East, which lost earlier to Neuqua Valley. Bartlett’s defense, stout early, has been leaking and allowed 220 yards rushing last week to West Aurora. Stopping the run has to be a primary objective for Danek and Co. before they can rush Pusateri.
Burlington Central (3-2, 3-0) at Marengo (4-1, 2-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Last year: Burlington Central 27, Marengo 0.
Key players: Burlington Central — RB Jason Berango, LB Craig Kein. Marengo — RB/WR Jarrell Jackson, LB Kyle Gara.
Outlook: Marengo has had additions to its coaching staff and has turned it around, beating Harvard last week for the first time since 2002, and now Walsweer and Co. look for their first win over Burlington Central since 2004. Marengo’s spread option attack has become explosive. The Indians have scored more points (188) than any Big Northern East team. Burlington Central is coming off a huge homecoming win and has picked it up behind a running attack featuring Berango, and the Rockets will need the ball control to keep Marengo’s attack off the field.
Woodstock North (2-3, 2-0) at Hampshire (3-2, 1-1), 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last year: Hampshire 42, Woodstock North 12.
Key players: Woodstock North — QB Jeff Schroeder, RB Travis Busch. Hampshire — RB Mason Fleury, RB/WR Jake Manning.
Outlook: QB Nick Mohlman’s leg injury makes him a question mark. If he can’t play, the Whip-Purs’ chances would then rest with Fleury and the running game, as well as a defense that has kept them close. Woodstock North’s option running game powered past Crystal Lake Central for over 400 yards as three backs gained 100 yards. Hampshire’s big nonconference road win over Urbana last week put the Whip-Purs in the middle of the playoff hunt.
Streamwood (1-4, 1-2) at Elgin (0-5, 0-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year: Streamwood 41, Elgin 30.
Key players: Streamwood — WR Noah Polich, RB Tae Reetz. Elgin — QB Dontrell Gaddy, SB Jo Jo Span.
Outlook: Elgin went back to Gaddy last week and will stick with him in hopes of ending its 17-game losing streak in an Upstate Eight River game. The Maroons’ pass defense and pass rush will have to be at its best against QB Max Draper and Polich. Last week Polich had 13 catches. The Sabres’ own defense had been a problem area, but has improved the last two games.
