Week 4 game previews

FRIDAY’S GAMES

AURORA CENTRAL (2-1, 0-1) at CHICAGO CHRISTIAN (1-2, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Immaculate Conception 33, Aurora Central 0; St. Francis 49, Chicago Christian 0.

Outlook: Chargers coach Brian Casey is pleased with the way his team came back in practice this week from tough loss. “The kids understand that every goal they set in the preseason is still attainable,” he said. “Chicago Christian will throw the ball significantly more than we have seen so far, so we need to be prepared to defend the pass and can’t allow the big play, especially early.”

AURORA CHRISTIAN (3-0, 1-0) at WHEATON ACADEMY (0-3, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Aurora Christian 56, Walther Lutheran 0; Montini 35, Wheaton Academy 0.

Outlook: It may look like a “breather” for the top-ranked Eagles (AP, 3A) before they embark on a four-game stretch against opponents (St. Francis, Marmion, Immaculate Conception, Montini) that are a combined 9-3, but don’t suggest that to coach Don Beebe. Two of the Warriors’ losses were to two of those four (IC, Montini) and the third was against a team from Missouri.

BARTLETT (2-1, 1-0) at METEA VALLEY (1-2, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Bartlett 67, East Aurora 0; Lake Park 35, Metea Valley 23.

Outlook: The Hawks have had three straight lopsided decisions but this one should be more evenly-matched, especially if the host Mustangs can improve on their 8-5 turnover ratio. Metea workhorse RB Cameron Wilcox (80-401) could use some help. He has more yards rushing than the team’s net (379), but Blaise Bell has thrown for 535 yards.

BROTHER RICE (2-1) at ST. RITA (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m., Me-TV

Last week: Brother Rice 30, Bishop McNamara 25; St. Rita 38, Fenwick 15

The breakdown: When Rice QB Matt Page (66-of-126, 854 yards) has time to throw, he crushes opponents. The Mustangs will likely throw the kitchen sink at Page, who has the mobility to escape pressure and run effectively (21 carries, 190 yards). St. Rita QB John Kelley (28-of-55, 391) has a group of dangerous WRs, led by Julian Crum (12, 185) and Tom McCormick (8, 132). The Mustangs backfield is as lethal, with Derrick Miles (37, 226), Guerby Ministre and Tim Lombard.

BURLINGTON CENTRAL (2-1) AT HARVARD (1-2)

When: 7 p.m.

Last year: Burlington Central 14, Harvard 7

Notes: Burlington Central’s defense forced five turnovers during last week’s 36-3 victory against Rockford Christian. The Rockets could be without senior QB Ryan Ritchie for a second straight game as he recovers from an ankle injury. Senior QB Tyler Majewski started in Ritchie’s place last week and completed 4 of 7 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.

CARY-GROVE (3-0) AT HAMPSHIRE (2-1)

When: 7:15 p.m.

Last year: Cary-Grove 35, Hampshire 6

Notes: Cary-Grove is ranked No. 7 in the AP Class 7A state poll after knocking off rival Crystal Lake South 17-3 last week. Senior RB Ryan Mahoney is a three-year varsity contributor and a key part his team’s option attack, but he left last week’s game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. The Trojans appear on their way to securing a trip to the playoffs for the ninth straight year.

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY (0-3, 0-3) at MOOSEHEART (3-0, 3-0)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Hope Academy 7, Christian Liberty 0; Mooseheart 35, Rockford Christian Life 14.

Outlook: The Ramblers should roll and go into next week’s league showdown with Ottawa Marquette in a battle of unbeatens.

GLENBARD WEST (3-0, 1-0) AT HINSDALE CENTRAL (3-0, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Outlook: No. 3 Glenbard West is missing some key performers due to injury, but you’d never know from watching the Hilltoppers’ first three games: dominant wins over 2011 Class 7A runner-up Wheaton Warrenville South, much-improved Willowbrook and returning Class 8A quarterfinalist Lyons. Glenbard West has a potent run game led by Joe Zito and Scott Andrews, an effective passing attack and a smothering defense paced by Ruben Dunbar among others. No. 12 Hinsdale Central has an explosive offense of its own with a big, experienced line and playmakers such as QB Brian Owens, RB Jack Adams and WR Ian Bunting.

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR (3-0, 1-0) at LINCOLN-WAY EAST (3-0, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Outlook: Does any team in the state have a tougher back-to-back than No. 16 H-F playing at No. 5 Lincoln-Way East and No. 2 Bolingbrook (3-0, 1-0) this week and next? Both teams have some difference makers on offense who have put up big numbers against solid competition; East has wins over Montini and Carmel, while H-F beat Stevenson. The Griffins rely on Northern Illinois-bound QB Tommy Fuessel (326 yards rushing, 201 yards passing, five total TDs) and RB Nick Colangelo (203 yards, two TDs), while H-F has QB Ron Johnson (500 yards, five TDs), TE James Sheehan (12 catches, 217 yards, three TDs) and RB Taje Smith (331 yards, three TDs).

KANELAND (3-0, 0-0) at SREATOR (0-3, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Kaneland 42, Sterling 0; Ottawa 41, Streator 6.

Outlook: Traveling Knights, who play four of their first five on the road, should roll against a team that has been outscored 97-20 this season.

LAKE PARK (2-1, 1-0) at WAUBONSIE VALLEY (3-0, 0-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Lake Park 35, Metea Valley 23; Waubonsie Valley 56, Streamwood 0.

Outlook: The lights on the scoreboard should get a workout with two offenses capable of putting up a lot of points — 144 for Waubonsie and 108 for Lake Park in three games. The Warrior defense should be difference.

LARKIN (2-1, 1-0) at GENEVA (0-3, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Larkin 40, Elgin 12; Batavia 35, Geneva 21.

Outlook: Coach Rob Wicinski and his staff have to scramble to replace sophomore QB Daniel Santacaterina, who suffered broken collarbone last week. The Vikings had no junior or senior QBs entering the season.

LEMONT (3-0) at TINLEY PARK (3-0)

When: 7 p.m.

Outlook: No. 22 Lemont gets its first real test after scoring three straight shutouts against teams that are a combined 0-9. The Indians have two of the best offensive linemen around in LSU-bound Ethan Pocic and Tim McAuliffe, and some capable skill players in RB Chris Giatras (259 yards, four TDs) and QB Zach Brosseau (280 yards, seven TDs). Tinley Park is one of the south suburbs’ up-and-coming programs, having reached the second round of the Class 5A playoffs each of the past two seasons. The Titans have a pair of impact players on offense in RB Preston Thompson (425 yards, three TDs) and QB Christian Plummer (341 yards, three TDs).

LINCOLN-WAY WEST (2-1, 1-0) at ANDREW (2-1, 1-0)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Lincoln-Way West 49, Thornridge 14; Andrew 27, Stagg 20

The breakdown: The Warriors rely a ton on RB Nick Dangles (59 carries, 377 yards), who is a workhorse. Andrew will likely try to force West to the air. The Thunderbolts have a dual-threat at QB in Jacob Platt (20, 186) and a game-breaker at RB in Jarvione Franklin (32, 281).

MANTENO (2-1, 0-1) at SANDWICH (2-1, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Coal City 9, Manteno 6; Sandwich 16, Plano 12.

Outlook: The Panthers are looking to make their third straight playoff appearance and should give the Indians a formidable test after giving the state-ranked Coalers (AP No. 4, 4A) all they could handle last week.

MARIAN CENTRAL (3-0, 1-0) at MARMION (1-2, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Marian 63, Guerin 0; Marmion 49, St. Edward 16.

Outlook: The meat of the schedule begins this week for the Cadets, whose next five opponents are a combined 13-2. That’s definitely when stuff hits the fan.

MCHENRY (2-1) AT JACOBS (2-1)

When: 7 p.m.

Last year: Jacobs 42, McHenry 19

Notes: McHenry rallied from a second-half deficit to defeat Dundee-Crown 40-30 last week. Senior FB John Konstantelos ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns in the triumph. First-year coach Dave D’Angelo is trying to lead the Warriors back to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

OSWEGO EAST (2-1, 0-1) at PLAINFIELD SOUTH (1-2, 0-1)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Plainfield East 33, Oswego East 6; Plainfield North 35, Plainfield South 19.

Outlook: If big-play combo of QB Sean Kennedy to WR Chase Skenadore can continue to produce, Wolves could get on track with a rare SPC win.

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL (3-0, 1-0) at MINOOKA (0-3, 0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last week: Plainfield Central 42, Romeoville 0; Oswego 42, Minooka 0

The breakdown: Plainfield Central is out to prove it is a legitimate title threat in the Southwest Prairie. The Indians feature a strong running game led by Jordan Ellingwood, who has totaled 305 yards. Minooka has struggled, but its three losses are against the only three teams — Morris, Providence and Oswego — that beat the Indians in the 2011 regular season. Minooka topped Central 52-20 last year.

PLAINFIELD EAST (1-2, 1-0) at PLAINFIELD NORTH (2-1, 1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last week: Plainfield East 33, Oswego East 6; Plainfield North 35, Plainfield South 19

The breakdown: Plainfield East played a difficult nonconference schedule and fell to Metea Valley and Batavia. The Bengals may be working their way into contending position in the Southwest Prairie behind the running and passing of QB

PLANO (2-1, 0-1) at PEOTONE (3-0, 1-0)

When: 7:15 p.m.

Last week: Sandwich 16, Plano 12; Peotone 34, Herscher 13.

Outlook: Coach Jim Green is wary of a Blue Devils team that “is gonna be at home, wanting to go to 4-0 because they haven’t made the playoffs in a while.” Peotone has been to the playoffs twice (2007, 2009) since 2004.Jacob Kotopka, but Plainfield North and RB Jay Roberts are a major hurdle. North won last year 38-12.

PRAIRIE RIDGE (2-1) AT DUNDEE-CROWN (2-1)

When: 7:15 p.m.

Last year: Prairie Ridge 55, Dundee-Crown 0

Notes: Prairie Ridge had its seven-game winning streak snapped with last week’s 30-7 loss against Huntley. The defending Class 6A state champions mustered only 138 yards of offense in the defeat after scoring 100 points in their first two games. Despite the setback, the Wolves are still ranked No. 8 in the AP Class 6A state poll.

NEUQUA VALLEY (3-0) AT ST. CHARLES EAST (2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Did not play

Notes: Neuqua Valley continued its best start in program history with last week’s 42-20 victory against South Elgin. Senior RB Joey Rhattigan has 592 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns this season for the Wildcats, who lead the all-time series against St. Charles East 5-4. Neuqua Valley is No. 10 in the Sun-Times Super 25.

ROMEOVILLE (0-3, 0-1) at OSWEGO (2-1, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Plainfield Central 42, Romeoville 0; Oswego 42, Minooka 0.

Outlook: The main concern for first-year coach Brian Cooney is making sure his team doesn’t have a letdown after big win last week against last year’s SPC runner-up.

SOUTH ELGIN (1-2, 0-1) at EAST AURORA (0-3, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Neuqua Valley 42, South Elgin 20; Bartlett 67, East Aurora 0.

Outlook: The Tomcats could use a fast start. “We seem to keep hurting ourselves, whether it’s a penalty or a turnover, early in the game,” said coach Kurt Becker. “We’re not good enough to overcome those self-inflicted mistakes.”

STREAMWOOD (1-2, 0-1) at BATAVIA (3-0, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 56, Streamwood 0; Batavia 35, Geneva 21.

Outlook: The Sabres had to break in a new QB at midweek when their former starter quit the team and it showed against the Warriors. Batavia is ranked No. 6 in AP’s 7A poll.

WEST AURORA (1-2, 0-1) at NAPERVILLE CENTRAL (1-2, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Wheaton Warrenville South 14, West Aurora 7; Naperville Central 41, Glenbard East 7.

Outlook: Linebackers Matt Williams (26 tackles) and Spencer Thomas (20) & Co. on the West defense need to be wary of 5-foot-9 junior speedster Ben Andreas, who returned from a suspension last week and had 198 receiving yards for the Redhawks.

YORKVILLE (2-1, 0-0) at LASALLE-PERU (1-2, 0-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Yorkville 42, Dixon 14; Rochelle 22, LaSalle-Peru 0.

Outlook: The Foxes have excellent shot at climbing to 3-1 before hitting the meat of their schedule, a three-game stretch that includes Morris, Rochelle and Kaneland in ensuing weeks.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

BOLINGBROOK (3-0, 1-0) at JOLIET WEST (1-2, 0-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Bolingbrook 54, Joliet Central 6; Sandburg 30, Joliet West 3

The breakdown: With Illinois-bound QB Aaron Bailey throwing better than ever, Bolingbrook is primed to take its best shot at the SouthWest Suburban Blue title and defense of its Class 8A state championship. Joliet West will attempt to rebound after being outscored 27-0 in the second half against Sandburg. The Tigers fell to Bolingbrook 49-12 last season.

LINCOLN-WAY NORTH (2-1, 1-0) at THORNTON (2-1, 1-0)

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Lincoln-Way North 57, Thornwood 12; Thornton 18, Bradley 7

The breakdown: With the backfield tandem of Julian Hylton (48 carries, 446 yards) and Tyler Gaynor (35, 231), the Phoenix will test the Wildcats’ rush defense. However, the key could be how well the North defense denies Thornton’s big-play ability on offense. RB Jamal Towns (13, 158) and QB JoWahn Brown (22-of-36, 348) are just two of the many weapons the Wildcats have.

LOCKPORT (0-3, 0-1) at JOLIET CENTRAL (0-3, 0-1)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Lincoln-Way East 35, Lockport 0; Bolingbrook 54, Joliet Central 6

The breakdown: Someone will get victory No. 1 when old rivals Lockport and Joliet Central clash in the SouthWest Suburban Blue match-up. The Porters won last year 38-6 and were in the game for most of the first half last week against Lincoln-Way East. The Steelmen were competitive before last week — and at least Bolingbrook is out of the way.rebound after being outscored 27-0 in the second half against Sandburg. The Tigers fell to Bolingbrook 49-12 last season.

PROVIDENCE (3-0, 0-0) at LOYOLA (2-1, 0-0)

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Me-TV.

Outlook: No. 11 Providence figured to rely a lot on the running of Brandon Price (207 yards, three TDs), and he’s been as good as expected. But the Celtics also have some other weapons, which came in handy especially when Price sat out a Week 2 win over Minooka with an injury. Junior QB Dominic Lagone can move the chains with his arm (303 yards, three TDs) and his legs (99 yards, three TDs). No. 6 Loyola bounced back from a one-point loss to prospect-laden Dallas Jesuit in Ireland in Week 2 with an easy win over Lake Forest Academy last week. QB Peter Pujals leads a typically efficient Ramblers’ offense.