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Sports

Friday Night Lights: Previewing Week 8 High School Football Games

The 5-2 Spartans are set to meet 5-2 Immaculate Conception. The Falcons position themselves for a DVC title, while the Tigers inch closer to a playoff berth.

St. Francis at Immaculate Conception

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Plunkett Park, S. West Ave. and W. Utley Road, Elmhurst

Records: 5-2, 2-2; Immaculate Conception 5-2, 3-1

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Last week: St. Francis 20, Marmion 14; Aurora Christian 35, Immaculate Conception 28

Head coaches: Greg Purnell, St. Francis; Chris VanDyke, Immaculate Conception

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Key players

St. Francis: Dan Beck, RB-DB; Kyle Bosch, OT; Nick Donati, QB; Robert Dwyer, OT; Jack Petrando, RB-LB; Jeff Ruskowski, RB-LB

Immaculate Conception: Dakota Baker, WR-DB; Demetrius Carr, QB; Tim Hipskind, WR-DB; James Peachey, LB; Charlie Pulkownik, DB; Dan Vatch, RB

About the game

The Spartans thwarted a fourth-quarter Marmion rally last Friday and beat the Cadets for a key SCC Blue victory. Petrando scored twice for St. Francis, including what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter. His two TDs give the junior running back 15 on the season.

Another tough opponent awaits St. Francis on Saturday in this SCC crossover game. The Knights were ranked ninth in last week’s AP Class 4A state poll while the Spartans received four votes in the 5A poll.

St. Francis will have to be on its toes defensively when facing Carr, who’s a threat to run as well as pass. And the Spartans’ Donati must be wary of an opportunistic Knights’ secondary, led by Pulkownik, Cody Baker and Pat Kirby, along with Peachey, who’s a 2010 all-SCC Gold team pick. Vatch and Hipskind give Carr nice options at running back and wideout, respectively.

The Spartans, with five wins and enough playoff points, are likely a lock for their fourth straight postseason appearance. But knocking off the Knights would give St. Francis that sixth win and eliminate any doubt.

Glenbard North at Wheaton North

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: , 701 W. Thomas

Records: Glenbard North 5-2, 3-2; Wheaton North 6-1, 5-0

Last week: Wheaton Warrenville South 13, Glenbard North 7; Wheaton North 14, Naperville Central 7

Head coaches: Ryan Wilkens, Glenbard North; Joe Wardynski, Wheaton North

Key players

Glenbard North: Cody Burandt, OL; Daniel Eldridge, DL; Trevor Hackett, WR; Justin Jackson, DB-RB; Phil Jackson, RB; Brian Murphy, QB

Wheaton North: Landon Bruni, OL; John Daniels, WR; Micah Penn, WR; John Peltz, QB; Patrick Sharp, RB; Mike Swider, LB

About the game

Wheaton North has already locked up its fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs. The Falcons’ mission this week: Take care of business, hand Glenbard North its third straight defeat and clinch at least a share of the DuPage Valley championship. A loss would throw the Falcons into at least a two-way tie for first with (guess who?) their old nemesis WWS—and possibly a three-way tie (see the scenario outlined below in the Tigers’ preview).

If the Falcons and Naperville North both lose on Friday, and the Tigers win, the two cross-town rivals would play for the DVC title in the regular season finale. If the Falcons and Tigers both win, Wheaton North goes into Red Grange Field one game up on their arch nemesis and a chance to win the DVC outright.

Whew!

Glenbard North had been at, or near, the top of the AP Class 8A state poll throughout most of the season. But the Panthers are in a bit of a tailspin, having lost two straight after winning their first five games. Glenbard North’s offense, led by Division I prospect Phil Jackson, also has taken a nosedive the past two games. The Panthers averaged 42 points per game during their first five contests; they’ve scored a combined 13 in Weeks 6 and 7.

Sharp is looking like his old pre-ankle injury self after galloping for a 96-yard touchdown in the Falcons’ victory over a solid Naperville Central club last week. Meanwhile, Wheaton North’s defense has raised its level of play. Opponents have averaged only eight points per game on the Falcons over the past four games.

Wheaton Warrenville South at Glenbard East

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard

Records: 4-3, 4-1; Glenbard East 1-6, 0-5

Last week: Wheaton Warrenville South 13, Glenbard North 7; West Chicago 28, Glenbard East 21

Head coaches: Ron Muhitch, Wheaton Warrenville South; John Walters, Glenbard East

Key players

Wheaton Warrenville South: Thaddeus Armstrong, QB; Adam Dansdill, LB; Patrick Garner, RB; Jack Lipinsky, DE; Brandon Peterson, LB; Dan Vitale, RB

Glenbard East: Malysha Flanders, RB; Joe Kotch, QB; Brian Sanborn, LB; Angelo Walker, DL; Don Wichman, LB; Roy Williams, LB

About the game

Four weeks ago, the Tigers were sitting at 1-3 and on the verge of missing the postseason for the first time since 2002. Now, all the Tigers need to do is beat Glenbard East Friday to reserve what should be a ninth consecutive playoff appearance since WWS would have enough playoff points. A victory also would keep the Tigers’ hopes alive for at least a share of the DVC title … and the possibility of winning it altogether.

WWS is facing arguably the DVC’s worst team in Glenbard East, which lost to previously winless West Chicago last week. Assuming WWS wins (a pretty good assumption), Naperville Central beats Naperville North on Friday and Glenbard North defeats the Falcons, the Tigers host Wheaton North in Week 9 to decide the DVC title. However, if Naperville North and the Tigers both win—and the Falcons lose—there would be a three-way tie for first going into the final week of the regular season.

Whatever scenario finally plays out, it’s a testament to the Tigers’ resilience just to be in this position at all with two weeks to go in the season.

The Tigers should be able to tune up their offense at the Rams’ expense this week. Next week, of course, could be a different story, but WWS has been finding ways to win against good competition in recent weeks thanks to its lock-down defense, key plays on special teams … and just enough from the offense.

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