Prep Football Teams Head into Home Stretch

With Week 6 now in the books, local prep teams head into the final three weeks of the 2011 season.

Here’s a look at how each school is faring so far. Schools listed have players who live in either Burr Ridge, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Lisle, Oak Brook, Warrenville or Wheaton.

Benet Academy—The Redwings qualified for the playoffs in Pat New’s first year as head coach last fall. Unfortunately, several key players from that squad were lost to graduation, and Benet is trying to reverse its fortunes following what has been a difficult season.

The Redwings (0-6) nearly posted their first win of 2011 in Week 4. They led 14-0 at halftime over Marist, but ended up losing on a field goal late in the game. Although their record doesn’t indicate it, the Redwings’ defense has played admirably throughout the year. Benet has held each of its opponents—including highly heralded Joliet Catholic—to 14 points or less during the first half.

Downers North—The Trojans’ 1-5 record is a bit deceiving because they’ve been able to keep within striking distance of their opponents most weeks. Downers North trailed its state-ranked , Downers South, by 10 points at intermission before succumbing to the Mustangs. In Week 3, the Trojans were within striking distance of Oak Park-River Forest during the fourth quarter, 13-7. They were marching downfield for a possible game-tying touchdown before a turnover ended the drive.

Senior quarterback Riley McGinnis has surpassed 200 yards passing in a handful of games so far, and Anthony Rada has been solid at running back. The Trojans are trying to avoid a repeat of last year’s 1-8 mark.

Downers South—There’s no stopping standout tailback Josh Williams this season, but the Mustangs’ defensive unit is a big reason why Downers South retains a prominent ranking each week in the AP Class 8A state poll. DGS has three shutouts to its credit, and only two squads have managed to score in double digits on the Mustangs. Scott Daly, Marco Scalzetti, Korey Higgins, DeAndre Washington and Lance Leong are among the mainstays on DGS’ shutdown defense.

Williams amassed more than 1,200 yards through his first five games—including a 336-yard effort in Week 1 and 285 yards in Week 4. He’ll undoubtedly surpass the 2,000-yard plateau before the regular season ends.

The only major test remaining on Downers South’s schedule before the playoffs is Addison Trail, which the Mustangs visit the final week of the season.

Glenbard South—Clearly, Wes Sanders is one of the area’s most talented players, regardless of class affiliation. Sanders is a threat to take it to the house at any time, either running or catching passes out of the backfield, or on kickoffs and punt returns. A three-touchdown performance this past Friday at Riverside-Brookfield gives him 12 for the year.

If Glenbard South, playing in its first Metro Suburban Conference season, happens to win the conference, it won’t receive an automatic playoff berth because the MSC only has five teams (a conference needs six teams for its champion to make the postseason). That said, if the Raiders win out after going 1-3 to start the year, they should have enough playoff points due to their tough non-conference schedule. Three of the teams to whom they’ve lost—Prairie Ridge, Rich East and Crete-Monee—are a combined 17-1 so far.

Glenbard West—The Hilltoppers certainly have lived up to their pre-season billing as the top Class 7A team in the state. Ranked No. 1 in 7A in the Associated Press weekly poll, Glenbard West is clicking on all cylinders. Penn State recruit Tommy Schutt, linebackers Erik Strittmater and Andrew Larkin, and backs Matt and Mike Marston are leading a suffocating defense that’s held foes to six points per game through the first five weeks.

Mobile first-year starting quarterback Justice Odom, a senior, is a great fit for the Hilltoppers’ high-octane, run-oriented offense, which is averaging around 400 yards per game. Odom also has gone to the air more often in recent weeks.

Glenbard West’s already potent backfield of Odom, Avery Balogh and Joey Zito received an additional boost with the return of junior Kendall Johnson. Balogh, Zito and Johnson could very well carry even more of the load, however, if Odom, who Saturday, is on the sidelines. The Hilltoppers are holding their breath that Odom’s injury isn’t serious. They’ll find out more this week. If Odom can’t go, junior Henry Haeffner likely becomes the starter.

Hinsdale Central—Last year, the Red Devils missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons. With a 4-2 record, Hinsdale Central is on track to return to the promised land under new head coach Rich Tarka.

Next week, Hinsdale Central faces Oak Park-River Forest and Jakari Cammon, who’s one of the best backs in the conference. Week 8’s matchup vs. Downers North appears to be a game that, on paper, the Red Devils should win. Always formidable York awaits Hinsdale Central in the regular season finale.

Over the summer, Tarka says the offense put in plenty of work into the passing game, and that work is paying dividends. Quarterback Brian Owens lit up Lyons Township for 312 yards in Week 5, and wideout Ryan Kelleher caught 17 passes for a school-record 157 yards. Owens also threw for over 200 yards against Hinsdale South Friday.

Hinsdale South—Like their District 86 counterpart, the Hornets welcomed a new coach this season, , along with a new four-receiver offense. And it all seems to be jelling well for Hinsdale South (3-3), which should be able to post its first winning season since 2005 with perennial West Suburban Gold doormat Morton and winless Willowbrook remaining on the schedule.

Two of the Hornets’ three victories have been nail-biters. Hinsdale South overcame a second-half deficit to take its season-opener (22-20 over Romeoville). The Hornets also hung on to defeat Proviso East after the Pirates mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally.

Quarterback D.J. Deolitsis runs the Hornets’ offensive effectively, while D.J. King and Keontae Hall have exhibited a knack for making big plays.

Immaculate Conception—The Knights moved up to Class 4A this season, but are in line to punch a ticket to the postseason for the third consecutive year.

Junior transfer Demetrius Carr, who took his lumps last year playing for 0-9 Westchester St. Joseph, is a force both running and passing. He spreads the ball around to a number of receivers, including Dan Vatch, Cody Baker, Andrew Vitek and Tim Hipskind. Vatch, Matt Mesnard and Danny D’Angelo combine with Carr to give the Knights a formidable backfield.

Ranked 10th in last week’s AP state poll, IC cruised past Chicago Christian (0-6) Friday evening to go 5-1. Challenges, though, await the Knights the rest of the way. They have home dates with Aurora Christian (5-1) and St. Francis (4-2), whose only losses this season are to powerful Marian Central and two-time defending 5A champion Montini.

Lisle—Turnovers, penalties and difficulty defending against the pass sums up the Lions’ season so far. Lisle dropped its first four 2011 contests, and lost three of those four by a 137-23 margin. The Lions’ offense, though, has improved, averaging 20 points per game from Weeks 3-5.

Coach Dan Sanko’s club put a stop to its losing skid with a 26-8 Week 5 triumph over Dwight Coop, and followed that up by defeating winless Braidwood Reed-Custer Friday night. Andy Populorum, Brad and Nick Leonard (over 100 yard vs. Reed-Custer) and Robbie Dean have run the ball effectively for the Lions, while junior quarterback enjoyed a breakout game vs. Dwight, passing for 219 yards and two scores.

St. Francis—Running backs Jack Petrando and Jeff Rutkowski are scoring machines for the Spartans. Petrando (13) and Ruskowski (5) have combined for 18 touchdowns through St. Francis’ first six matchups, including four TDs apiece in its 58-19 throttling of Guerin.

Can the Spartans return to the playoffs for a fourth straight year? Well, if they do, it’ll be a well-earned trip because there isn’t a team remaining on their schedule that could be considered a pushover. Immaculate Conception and St. Edward—the Spartans’ Week 8 and Week 9 opponents, respectively—were both 4-1 after five weeks. Marmion, whom the Spartans host next week, handed IC and St. Edward its only losses through that stretch.

Wheaton North—After winning five of their first six games, the Falcons likely have enough playoff points to lock up their third consecutive playoff appearance. But one victory over the next three weeks will ensure it. They’ll line up against Naperville Central, Glenbard North and crosstown rival Wheaton Warrenville South, respectively, the rest of the way. All three foes will be tough, with Central and WWS both on the playoff bubble.

The Mike Swider-led Falcon defense has been particularly stingy lately, surrendering under 10 points per game over the past four games. Offensively, QB John Peltz, who can hurt foes with his feet as well as with his arm, and tailback —back after missing two games with an ankle injury—are already among the DVC’s best at their positions. Wideout Johnny Daniels is a scoring threat, and Mikey Sammer, who had consecutive 100-yard games in Sharp’s absences, gives the Falcons added backfield depth.

Wheaton Warrenville South—Senior transfer Thaddeus Armstrong, who rotates with sophomore Ryan Graham at quarterback, looks more comfortable behind center and has been getting the majority of snaps. But save for their 54-point outburst against West Chicago Friday night, the Tigers’ inability to consistently reach the end zone thus far has been their Achilles heel.

The Tigers’ saving grace this season is their defense, which has kept them in every game. Glenbard West scored 21 points on the Tigers in Week 1; the Hilltoppers have averaged more than 42 points per game vs. the rest of their opponents. The same holds true for Class 8A powerhouse Maine South, which edged the Tigers 13-9 in Week 2. Maine South also has averaged more than 42 points per game outside of its victory over WWS.

If the Tigers don’t win the DVC, they must take at least two of their remaining three games if they hope to return to the playoffs (which this season will be in Class 8A, rather than 7A). One of those victories could very well come against 1-5 Glenbard East, whom the Tigers play in Week 8. Sandwiched between the Rams, however, are Glenbard North (Week 7) and Wheaton North (Week 9).

York—Since suffering a wild 50-49 loss to Rolling Meadows in their season-opener, the Dukes have enjoyed a wildly successful run. They’ve won their last five, including Friday’s 41-0 thrashing of Downers North in the West Suburban Silver.

Looking ahead, the playoff-bound Dukes and Hilltoppers meet at Glenbard West Saturday, Oct. 15—a game that likely will decide the 2011 West Suburban Silver title. Both teams are expected to remain undefeated in WSS play and tied atop the standings going into that faceoff.

Through the first five games, Joe Lucca and backup QB have combined for just over 1,300 yards passing. David Byerley leads the Dukes with 616 receiving yards. Defensively, Jake Rzeszutko is the team’s leader in tackles with 38 (including 27 solos), and Ryan Maher has registered a team-high seven sacks.