No. 1 Loyola (4-0) vs. No. 12 Fenwick (4-0) at Triton, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
The top-ranked Ramblers get another test, as they take on undefeated Fenwick. Loyola shut out St. Francis 55-0 last week, but are coming up against one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the area in the Friars’ Jacob Keller. The 6-4, 195-pound signal caller, also a star basketball player, has offers to play in college in both sports. Fenwick has beaten two defending state champions so far this season in Phillips and Montini. Loyola played three close games to open the season and Friday could be another tough one for the talented Ramblers.
No. 23 Lincoln-Way West (4-0) at No. 2 Homewood-Flossmor (4-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Homewood-Flossmoor has returned to top form this season, with a new set of talented athletes. The undefeated Vikings have been powered by quarterback Bryant Wright, who ran for three touchdowns and passed for four in last week’s 53-24 victory over Lockport. Lincoln-Way West heads into this Southwest Suburban match-up after a staunch defensive effort in a 14-0 win over Stagg last week. Although out with an injury against Stagg, senior quarterback Cal Porte has been one to watch.
No. 11 Lyons (4-0) at No. 4 Glenbard West (4-0), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
With three of the top four teams facing undefeated teams, this week should be a competitive one. The Hilltoppers are always known for defensive stands so that should be an interesting matchup against Lyons quarterback Ben Bryant, who has had several playmakers contribute along with him on offense this season. Glenbard West’s three running backs (Ryan Diver, D.J. Ficarella, Dre Thomas) combined for nearly 300 rushing yards in last week’s 35-0 win over Downers Grove North. Lyons is coming off a 38-13 conference win against Leyden.
No. 14 Glenbard North (3-1) at Naperville North (4-0) Friday, 7:30 p.m.
The Huskies have been one of this season’s surprise teams and they’ve got a chance to turn even more heads as they head into a DuPage Valley match-up that could put them in the driver seat for the conference title. Glenbard North has one loss, to Waubonsie Valley in a 29-28 thriller in Week 2, but has stacked up dominantly against its other opponents so far. Running back Vittorio Tricase has been excellent. Naperville North’s running game has also been a standout, led by seniors Eric Wright and Cross Robinson.
No. 21 IC Catholic (4-0) at St. Edward (4-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
IC Catholic has been a surprise contender this season, pitching three shutouts so far and averaging 56 points per game. Running back Jordan Rowell scored four touchdowns in a 56-0 conference crossover victory over Elmwood Park last week. St. Edward quarterback Dylan Mlinarich has been unstoppable this season, heading up an offense averaging nearly an equally impressive 48 points per game. This one could be a shootout.
