Week 9 game previews

FRIDAY’S GAMES

AURORA CENTRAL (6-2, 4-2) at MONTINI (6-2, 5-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Marmion 41, Aurora Central 7; Montini 31, Aurora Christian 27.

Outlook: Another challenging assignment awaits the Chargers in the three-time defending state 5A champ Broncos.

BARTLETT (6-2, 4-1) at NEUQUA VALLEY (8-0, 5-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Bartlett beat South Elgin, 27-7; Neuqua Valley won at Lake Park, 53-23

Outlook: Sitting with eight wins in a season for the fourth time in program history, Neuqua Valley concludes its regular season tonight with the program’s first undefeated regular season at stake, along with a potential top seed in Class 8A.

Bartlett is still alive for at least a share of their third straight Upstate Eight Valley crown after beating South Elgin, 27-7, last week.

BATAVIA (8-0, 5-0) at ELGIN (1-7, 0-5)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Batavia 19, St. Charles East 6; Streamwood 27, Elgin 8.

Outlook: Dual-threat specialist Anthony Scaccia (1,000 yards rushing, 222 receiving) and area receiving leader Zach Strittmatter (46-688) lead No. 8 (Sun-Times Super 25) Bulldogs as they look to lock up a second straight UEC River title and try to secure a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

BENET (7-1, 4-1) vs. JOLIET CATHOLIC (5-3, 4-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. at Joliet Memorial Stadium, HighSchoolCube.com.

Last week: Benet 34, Marist 24; Notre Dame 42, Joliet Catholic 33

The breakdown: One of the year’s greatest turnarounds has been engineered by No. 14 Benet (7-1, 4-1 East Suburban Catholic), which was 1-8 and averaged less than a touchdown a game last season. Sophomore QB Jack Beneventi and junior RB Porter Ontko have been productive on offense for the Redwings, while Benet’s defense has held five opponents to a touchdown or less. Injuries to RBs Ty Isaac, a USC recruit, and Tyler Reitz have slowed Joliet Catholic (5-3, 4-2). But Michael Ivlow, who ran for 211 yards in last week’s loss to Notre Dame, is also a capable back for the Hilltoppers.

BOLINGBROOK (6-2, 4-2) at LOCKPORT (1-7, 1-5)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Bolingbrook 40, Lincoln-Way Central 7; Sandburg 34, Lockport 14

The breakdown: The Bolingbrook offense under QB Quincy Woods came to life last week. In the SouthWest Suburban Blue finale, the Raiders will finalize preparation for defense of their Class 8A state championship. All-State QB Aaron Bailey, sidelined with a right knee sprain since early in the loss to Lincoln-Way East in Week 6, may not return until the playoffs.

BREMEN (4-4, 2-4) at OAK LAWN (2-6, 2-4)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Lemont 47, Bremen 7; Eisenhower 39, Oak Lawn 38

The breakdown: Bremen needs a win to have a shot at qualifying for postseason. RB Devonta Wilson (154-1,016) must produce big for the Braves to take down the Spartans. Oak Lawn likely will focus on stopping Wilson and force the Braves to the air. Oak Lawn QB Bobby Olsen (107-of-202, 1,235 yards) is more than capable of mounting a drive with his arm and has WRs Nick Anderson (37, 456) Sean Altenburg (31, 349) at his disposal. RBs Darius Smith (141, 679) and Ahmad Shatat are dangerous.

EISENHOWER (4-4, 4-1) at RICHARDS (7-1, 5-0)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Eisenhower 39, Oak Lawn 38; Richards 51, Reavis 0

The breakdown: The defending conference champion Cardinals can gain a tie for the top spot with a win. Eisenhower will spread the wealth running the ball between QB Dion Parker (78, 504) and RBs Kenny Baker, Vince Colbert (100, 619) and T.J. Skelton. If Parker can get the ball to WR Lonnell Hill, the Cards would benefit. Richards has a game-breaker in Tommy Mister (95, 780) and a gem in Tacari Carpenter. QB Hasan Muhammed-Rogers will likely target a leaky Cardinal secondary.

GENEVA (3-5, 2-3) at STREAMWOOD (3-5, 2-3)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Geneva 61, Metea Valley 48; Streamwood 27, Elgin 8.

Outlook: The Vikings will miss the playoffs for the first time in nine years but can close with a three-game winning streak behind freshman quarterback Nick Derr, who came on after sophomore starter Daniel Santacaterina was lost for season with a broken collarbone in Week 3.

GUERIN (1-7, 0-6) at AURORA CHRISTIAN (7-1, 5-1)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: St. Francis 49, Guerin 0; Montini 31, Aurora Christian 27.

Outlook: Staying healthy will be the major concern for the Eagles as they look forward to the playoffs and a chance to begin defense of their Class 3A state championship the following week.

JOLIET WEST (3-5, 2-4) at LINCOLN-WAY EAST (8-0, 6-0)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: H-F 49, Joliet West 8; Lincoln-Way East 49, Joliet Central 0

The breakdown: Joliet West’s final hope for a playoff berth is gone, so the Tigers have sights set on spoiling Lincoln-Way East’s perfect season and perhaps the Griffins’ shot an undisputed SouthWest Suburban Blue championship. West’s Jordan Brown has rushed for 517 yards and Korey Rogers for 467. East is outscoring opponents 34.5 to 9.1 on average.

LAKE PARK (3-5, 2-3) at EAST AURORA (0-8, 0-5)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Neuqua Valley 53, Lake Park 23; Waubonsie Valley 49, East Aurora 0.

Outlook: Season mercifully comes to an end for Tomcats, whose losing streak stands at 38.

LOYOLA (7-1, 3-0) at ST. RITA (4-4, 0-3)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Loyola 45, Brother Rice 0; Mount Carmel 27, St. Rita 0

The breakdown: Mustangs need a win to qualify for the playoffs, something they’ve done 12 straight years. St. Rita will need to produce through the air, behind QB John Kelley (57-of-113, 833) and WR Malik Space. RB Tim Lombard will get chances to establish the ground attack against a physical Loyola defense. St. Rita must avoid turning the ball over to have any chance.

METEA VALLEY (2-6, 1-4) at WAUBONSIE VALLEY (7-1, 4-1)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Geneva 61, Metea Valley 48; Waubonsie Valley 49, East Aurora 0.

Outlook: School career rushing leader Austin Guido and the No. 12 (Sun-Times Super 25) Warriors look to knock off their Eola Road and district rivals and solidify their playoff seed.

MINOOKA (3-5, 3-3) at ROMEOVILLE (0-8, 0-6)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Plainfield North 28, Minooka 20; Oswego East 37, Romeoville 12

The breakdown: With Minooka’s playoff hopes dashed last week, the Indians turn their attention to finishing coach Paul Forsythe’s first season a high note. RB Nate Gunn has rushed for 339 yards and is averaging 6.8 per carry. Romeoville won its Southwest Prairie finale last year 49-46 over Plainfield Central to spoil the Wildcats’ playoff bid.

MORRIS (8-0, 4-0) at KANELAND (8-0, 4-0)

Last week: Morris 28, Rochelle 21; Kaneland 30, Sycamore 7.

Outlook: The Northern Illinois Big 12 East title and a No. 1 playoff seed are both on the line in this one between the No. 22 (Sun-Times Super 25) Redskins and No. 24 Knights. QB Drew David, who sat out last week’s win with an arm injury, will start for the Knights.

MOUNT CARMEL (7-1, 2-1) at PROVIDENCE (7-1, 2-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. (Me-TV)

Last week: Mount Carmel 27, St. Rita 0; Providence 43, St. Ignatius 6

The breakdown: Mount Carmel is looking to avenge last season’s 24-18 Catholic Blue loss to the Celtics at Gately. The Caravan relies on the arm of QB Don Butkus and a ball-control running game. Providence, which had six starters out against St. Ignatius, slowly is regaining health. WR Miles Boykin and playmaker Chad Weaver will be game-time decisions. RB Brandon Price (822 yards, 5.6 average) is the Celtics’ go-to threat.

NAPERVILLE CENTRAL (3-5, 3-3) at WEST CHICAGO (0-8, 0-6)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Naperville Central lost to Naperville North, 26-23; West Chicago lost at West Aurora, 35-9

Outlook: Quarterback Jake Kolbe and junior wide receiver Ben Andreas are two building blocks for Naperville Central as it looks towards 2013 and the duo will look to reignite the connection the two of them enjoyed during Andreas’ first three games back from suspension.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats have lost their first eight games of the season and will be looking to avoid going winless for the first time since 2009.Surrendering 42.1 points a game, the Wildcats have eclipsed double-digits on offense only three times this season.

NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY (7-1, 7-1) at MOOSEHEART (7-1, 7-1)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: North Shore Country Day 42, CICS/Longwood 8; Mooseheart 28, Hope Academy 0.

Outlook: This battle for second place in the Northeastern Athletic Conference figures to be evenly matched. Both lost to league frontrunner Ottawa Marquette, the Ramblers by a 35-21 margin and NSCD by a 35-14 count. The winner will likely also wrap up a first-round home game in the playoffs.

OAK FOREST (7-1, 4-1) at T.F. SOUTH (7-1, 5-0)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Oak Forest 42, Tinley Park 0; T.F. South 39, Argo 6

The breakdown: Longtime rivals in the old SICA Central and SICA Orange conferences, Oak Forest (7-1, 4-1) and No. 23 T.F. South (7-1, 5-0) will meet with the South Suburban Blue title on the line. The Bengals, who lost to Lemont by a field goal, will be trying to forge a three-way title tie with the Indians and T.F. South, an overtime winner vs. Lemont. Nick Ciufia has 864 yards and 16 touchdowns as a passer and runner for Oak Forest. Saleem Sanford and Joe Young have been effective backs for T.F. South, which has won seven straight since a loss to Crete-Monee.

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL (6-2, 4-2) at OSWEGO (7-1, 6-0)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Plainfield Central 28, Plainfield East 0; Oswego 52, Plainfield South 7

The breakdown: Plainfield Central may relegate Oswego into a share of the Southwest Prairie title with Plainfield North if it can pull the upset. The Wildcats won the game they had to have to become playoff eligible last week at Plainfield East. Jordan Ellingwood has rushed for 886 yards and Gino Giarratano for 440. Central is hoping to control the ball and keep Oswego’s potent offense on the sideline.

PLAINFIELD NORTH (6-2, 5-1) at OSWEGO EAST(4-4, 2-4)

When: 7 p.m.

Last week: Plainfield North 28, Minooka 20; Oswego East 37, Romeoville 12.

Outlook: The Wolves can be playoff eligible for the first time in program history with a win but their postseason status would still be shaky given their 32 playoff points heading into the final week. That’s probably not enough points to push them over the top but topping the .500 mark for the first time would be significant.

PLANO (5-3, 2-3) at DWIGHT (0-8, 0-5)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Plano 24, Wilmington 20; Manteno 44, Dwight 6.

Outlook: The Reapers can remove any doubts and move from “playoff eligible” by clinching postseason berth, which will be their seventh in the past eight years.

RICH EAST (6-2, 4-0) at CRETE-MONEE (8-0, 4-0)

When: 6:30 p.m., HighSchoolCube.com.

Last week: Rich East 20, Bloom 14; Crete-Monee 56, Rich South 0

The breakdown: No. 10 Crete-Monee (8-0, 4-0) is top-ranked in Class 6A by the Associated Press and hasn’t been tested all year, outscoring opponents by an average of 40-6. WR Laquon Treadwell (42 catches, 900 yards, 11 touchdowns), arguably the top uncommitted senior in the country.

Rich East (6-2, 4-0), which gave the Warriors a scare last season before falling 20-13, has a balanced ground game with five backs who have gained between 272 and 415 yards.

SANDWICH (6-2, 4-1) at LISLE (4-4, 3-2)

When: 7:15 p.m.

Last week: Sandwich 68, Reed-Custer 14; Peotone 35, Lisle 12.

Outlook: The Indians look to improve their seed in the playoffs. Sandwich will be making its fourth postseason appearance in five years.

WALTHER LUTHERAN (2-6, 2-4) at MARMION (3-5, 3-3)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Immaculate Conception 55, Walther Lutheran 13; Marmion 41, Aurora Central 7.

Outlook: The Cadets are out of the playoffs for the first time in three years but can close out the season with a three-game winning streak.

WEST AURORA (2-6, 1-5) at GLENBARD EAST (1-7, 1-5)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: West Aurora 35, West Chicago 9; Wheaton Warrenville South 48, Glenbard East 21.

Outlook: Standout pass-catch combo of junior QB Quintez Jones (106-202, 1,162 yards, 10 TDs) to senior WR Cole Childs (43-649, 9 TDs) looks to finish strong in finale.

YORKVILLE (3-5, 0-4) at SYCAMORE (5-2, 2-2)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Last week: DeKalb 47, Yorkville 0; Kaneland 30, Sycamore 7.

Outlook: The Foxes look to bounce back after a humbling loss to the Barbs. It’s also their last chance to get a win against a team with a winning record.