Batavia at St. Charles East When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, HighSchoolCube.com Outlook: Despite graduating most of the skill players from last year’s 12-1 Class 6A semifinalist, No. 13 Batavia (7-0, 4-0) has just kept rolling along in the Upstate Eight River. Junior QB Micah Coffey has passed for almost 1,300 yards for the Bulldogs, who have scored 30 or more points in every game this season. St. Charles East (5-2, 4-0) is playoff-eligible for the first time in three seasons thanks in large part to the all-around play of LB/FB Joe Hoscheit, a Northwestern baseball recruit. Marist vs. Benet When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Benedictine University, HighSchoolCube.com
Outlook: No. 7 Marist (7-0, 5-0 East Suburban Catholic) has made a habit of winning close games in the conference, beating Nazareth and Joliet Catholic each by three points and Notre Dame by seven. The RedHawks can move the ball through the air with QB Ian Woodworth and WR Nic Weishar and on the ground with RB Peter Andreotti. Benet (6-1, 3-1) has been one of the season’s biggest surprises, rebounding from last year’s 1-8 finish behind a potent offense that features RBs Porter Ontko and Nick McTarnaghan along with QB Jack Beneventi. Stevenson at Lake Zurich When: 7:30 p.m. Friday. Outlook: After getting past Lake Forest in overtime last week, No. 21 Stevenson (6-1, 4-0) can clinch the North Suburban Lake title by beating the Bears (5-2, 3-1). QB Willie Bourbon has thrown for 1,506 yards for the Patriots, who gave up 63 points in their first two games but just 46 in the next five. Lake Zurich has four shutouts (not including a forfeit win over striking Lake Forest) and is coming off a 3-0 loss to Libertyville. The Bears could be without featured RB Connor Schrader, who was hurt in the Libertyville game. Wheaton North at Glenbard North When: 7:30 p.m. Friday. Outlook: With every other DuPage Valley Conference team having at least two losses, this is the de facto league championship game. No. 6 Wheaton North (7-0, 5-0) may have as many game breakers on offense as anyone in the state with Clayton Thorson and John Peltz, who have split time at quarterback and receiver; RB Patrick Sharp and WR Matt Biegalski. No. 14 Glenbard North (6-1, 5-0) hasn’t lost since falling 42-41 to No. 13 Batavia in Week 1. RB Justin Jackson keys the Panthers’ offense.
