Leo (4-4, 1-2) at Aurora Christian (4-4, 1-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Last year: Did not play.
Key players: Leo — QB Latrell Giles, WR Saheed Adewole; Aurora Christian — QB Austin Bray, WR Jacolby Maxwell.
Outlook: Eagles face must-win to make playoffs. Bray and WR/LB Zach Bosek, who both suffered ankle injuries last week, will try to play. “Even if we win, there is no guarantee,” coach David Beebe said. “Our numbers look good as far as playoff points but we’ll have to see. I’m happy for these kids, though. We’ve had a really tough schedule.” Leo is only second Class 3A team the 3A Eagles have faced this season. The rest have been 5A to 7A.
Marmion (6-2, 2-1) at Montini (5-3, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year: Montini won 27-3.
Key players: Marmion — FB/LB Lucas Warren, QB Rusty Joyce; Montini — WR Leon Thornton III, QB Chuck Norgle.
Outlook: Pocket passer Norgle will test Cadet secondary. Thornton has 37 receptions and Tyler Millikan 27, but Marmion also has to be wary of RB Prince Walker (690 yards). Good test for Dan Thorpe’s team, which has bounced back from tough loss to Fenwick with back-to-back wins to guarantee playoff berth. FB Lucas Warren (540 yards), Nate Traxler (329) and Jordan Glasgow (283) lead cast of many who contribute to strong Marmion ground game (1,866 yards rushing).
Neuqua Valley (5-3, 5-1) at Metea Valley (5-3, 4-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year: Neuqua Valley won 65-28.
Key players: Neuqua Valley — QB Broc Rutter, WR Isaiah Robertson; Metea Valley — RB Bryson Oliver, WR Nick Dodson.
Outlook: Mustangs offense has clicked under QB Kyle Mooney (17 TDs, just 3 interceptions) as they look forward to first winning season. They can guarantee first-ever playoff berth with first program win over district rival. Both teams likely to make playoffs on points with five wins. Big plays likely to decide it. Mustangs have topped 40 points in each win.
South Elgin (5-3, 4-2) at Waubonsie Valley (7-1, 5-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year: Waubonsie Valley won 63-29.
Key players: South Elgin — RB Kyle Ware, QB Hayden Nelson; Waubonsie Valley — QB Zack Bennema, FB Ryan Berg.
Outlook: Warriors opened up offense and unleashed strong passing effort last week to top Neuqua and bounced back from double OT loss to West Aurora, which was preceded by two narrow victories. South Elgin has won three straight. If Storm wins and Metea knocks off Neuqua, there could be four-way tie atop Upstate Eight Valley, all at 5-2.
Glenbard East (3-5, 1-5) at West Aurora (3-5, 3-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year: Glenbard East won 21-0.
Key players: Glenbard East — QB Phil Abruzino, DE Sean Corey; West Aurora — RB/LB DaQuan Cross, QB Johnathon Doyle.
Outlook: Blackhawks hoping to finish the season strong with date against former DuPage Valley rival Rams, who also moved over to Upstate Eight Valley this season. West wants to close with three-game winning streak for best league showing since going 4-4 in 1995. Stable of strong runners on the rise. Glenbard East has lost four straight, but they were by total of 10, one, three and six points.
