No. 11 Maine South (1-0) at No. 1 Loyola (1-0), Saturday 1:30 p.m.
Defending Class 8A state champs Loyola traveled to Wisconsin for a 36-7 win over Marquette in Week 1. The Ramblers are loaded with talent but Maine South knocked off the defending Class 6A state champion Montini in Week 1. New names for the Hawks include quarterback Nick Leongas, who threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns against Montini. Junior running back Fotis Kokosioulis is a name to watch as well.
Waubonsie Valley (1-0) at No. 15 Glenbard North (1-0), Friday 7:30 p.m.
It didn’t take long for Glenbard North to pass its first test. The Panthers had a convincing 35-6 win over perennial power Naperville Central in Week 1. Running back Vittorio Tricase scored three rushing touchdowns and Northwestern recruit Jace James scaught a 14-yard touchdown from quarterback Shane Conway. Waubonsie Valley is a team to keep an eye on, just flittering outside the Super 25 after at 16-8 victory over Lake Park. This matchup will tell us a lot about how the top of the DuPage Valley might shake out.
No. 18 Batavia (1-0) at No. 17 Libertyville (1-0), Friday 7:30 p.m.
The Libertyville defense showed its power in a 29-0 win at Elk Grove last week. The offense is working to establish an identity, and that will continue over the next few weeks. Batavia charged into Belleville West and took home a 34-24 win behind a strong rushing attack. The Bulldogs offensive line is a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced by four different running backs scoring in Week 1. The staunch Wildcats defense against the Bulldogs ground game should be a fun matchup.
No. 24 Simeon (0-1) at No. 10 Marist (0-1), Friday 7:30 p.m.
A chance for both teams to make up for hard-fought losses in Week 1. Marist was outmanned by Brother Rice 31-7 after keeping the game close for a half. The RedHawks defense looked as advertised for most of the game behind Yale recruit Micah Awodiran and Kansas recruit Rob Topps. Simeon has plenty of speed, including young athlete Jayshaun Jackson, who spent most of the opener at quarterback before flexing out to receiver. The Wolverines waited too long in the season opener to put all the pieces together and Oak Park-River Forest bested them 21-14.
Warren (0-1) at No. 16 New Trier (1-0), Friday 7:30 p.m.
New Trier’s Week 1 victory over York was a close one as the Trevians took home a 14-10 road win on the final play. Playmakers on offense are starting to emerge for the Trevians, including senior running back Francis Fay, who scored a touchdown and starred at defensive back. Warren had a pretty good showing against No. 14 Lyons in Week 1, losing 19-7. The Blue Devils turned the ball over five times, but as their offense works out the kinks it could start to turn some heads.
