Rick Armstrong’s five games to watch in Week 5

Bishop McNamara (3-1, 2-0) at Aurora Christian (4-0, 1-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Last year: Did not play.

Key players: Bishop McNamara – RB Jonathan Ward, QB Brent Hakeman ; Aurora Christian – LB Zach Bosek, DE Brock Whalen.

Outlook: Eagles’ defense needs to be aware of talented Ward on every play. “With big games like this and with a young team, you have to make sure we manage the high and lows. They’re gonna make plays and we are, too. Just maintain,” said Aurora Christian coach David Beebe, whose team is “100 percent healthy. I don’t think we’ve been able to say that since Week 1 of the 2012 season.”

IC Prep (1-3, 0-0) at Aurora Central (4-0, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last year: IC Prep won 21-14.

Key players: IC Prep – RB Jordan Rowell, LB Anthony Silva; ACC – LB Ben Ariano, DL/OL Jeff Kus.

Outlook: The six teams in the new Metro Suburban West have combined to go 17-7 through four weeks with only one, IC Prep, sporting a losing record. ACC coach Brian Casey is well aware, though, it would be foolish to overlook the Knights. IC edged the Chargers for first last year in the SCC Gold and has played a tougher schedule so far. IC foes are a combined 10-6, ACC’s 4-13.

DeKalb (4-0, 1-0) at Kaneland (2-2, 0-1), 7:15 p.m. Friday

Last year: Kaneland won 35-12.

Key players: DeKalb – RB Dre Brown, QB Derek Kyler; Kaneland – LB Jake Gomes, QB Jake Marczuk.

Outlook: Another week, another stud running back challenging the Knights’ defense. Barbs are coming off last year’s second playoff appearance in four years following a 20-year absence from the postseason. They beat arch-rival and defending league champ Sycamore 55-40 last week. Illinois commit Brown had 254 yards rushing but junior speedster Tony Tate had a 74-yard touchdown run and a 96-yard kickoff return TD. Coach Tom Fedderly couldn’t be blamed had he instructed his school’s grounds crew to hold off mowing the field this week.

Romeoville (1-3, 1-1) at Oswego (3-1, 2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Last year: Oswego won 31-13.

Key players: Romeoville – QB Kelvin Jones, MLB Justin Brandon; Oswego – QB Carter Turnquist; LB Chad Marsh.

Outlook: Last year, Spartans returned to playoffs for first time since 2002. “They’ve played a really good nonconference schedule in Hinsdale South and Bolingbrook and then lost to Minooka in the last second,” Oswego coach Brian Cooney said. “Then, they beat Plainfield Central in the last seconds. They’re fast.” Jones has passed for 451 yards and run for 182, while Brandon has 44 tackles.

East Aurora (0-4, 0-2) at Neuqua Valley (2-2, 2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

Last year: Neuqua Valley won 52-6.

Key players: East Aurora – RB Nathaniel Booker, LB Michael Gonzalez; Neuqua Valley – QB Broc Rutter, DL Tyler Bromer. .

Outlook: Booker rushed for 110 yards for the Tomcats in the first half of last week’s disappointing 56-6 loss to Glenbard East. “We burned that film,” East coach Kurt Becker said. “Imposters showed up. We’ve been playing better than that and, hopefully, we get back on track.” It won’t be easy. The Wildcats started slow in losing to Naperville North and Central, but have gotten back on track. Rutter has thrown for 601 yards.

Friday’s other games

Marmion 1, St. Francis DeSales 0 (forfeit).

No. 7 Waubonsie Valley at Glenbard East, 7:30 p.m.

Bartlett at West Aurora, 7:30.

Elgin at No. 17 Geneva, 7:30.

St. Charles North at No. 24 Batavia, 7:30.

Yorkville at Morris, 7.

Oswego East at Plainfield South, 7.

Coal City at Sandwich, 7:30.

Plano at Streator, 7.

Saturday’s other games

Metea Valley at South Elgin, 1:30 p.m.