Batavia, Oswego, Kaneland, Aurora Christian and Montini are picks to click for Week 5.
Batavia (3-1, 2-0) at St. Charles North (4-0, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Here we go again. St. Charles North and Batavia meet with first place on the line in the DuKane Conference.
Both teams tied with Geneva last season for the conference title. Both will be tested again in the final four weeks of the regular season.
The North Stars are coming off a 34-12 win over Wheaton North that featured three long touchdowns — senior receiver EJ Mondesir with a 74-yard catch, senior running back Carsen Durante with a 73-yard run and Northwestern-bound senior receiver Keaton Reinke with a 71-yard catch.
The Bulldogs countered with 245 yards on the ground in a 42-21 win over Lake Park behind senior running back Henry Hahn with 120 yards and three TDs and senior running back Preston Brummel with 125 yards and two TDs.
X-factor: Matthew Plumb, St. Charles North, senior, linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Batavia.
Yorkville (4-0, 1-0) at Oswego (4-0, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both defenses are coming off strong efforts heading into this Southwest Prairie West showdown between two of the conference’s three unbeaten teams.
Yorkville is led by senior linebacker Caleb Viscogliosi, who has 35 tackles. Junior linebacker Dillon Viscogliosi and senior defensive back Daniel Kraus have 24 tackles apiece as the Foxes have kept it close to the vest, outscoring opponents 83-33.
Equally stingy Oswego is more opportunistic on offense, outscoring opponents 152-35. Senior defensive back Mariano Velasco has two interception returns for TDs. Last week, he chipped in with a 66-yard TD reception.
It could come down to the quarterbacks. If it does, the best bet may be a coin flip, since both have been very good.
Senior Jack Beetham, who has NCAA Division II offers from Upper Iowa, Bemidji State and Sioux Falls, has yet to throw an interception for the Foxes. Junior Drew Kleinhans — coached by his dad, Ben, who is Oswego’s offensive coordinator — is off to a strong start in his varsity career.
X-factor: TJ Harland, Yorkville, senior, running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Oswego.
Morris (4-0, 1-0) at Kaneland (4-0, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Knights will be playing for a share of the Interstate Eight title in the opener of a daunting three-game stretch of challenging conference showdowns. Kaneland travels to Sycamore (2-2, 1-0) on Oct. 3, then hosts Rochelle (2-2, 0-1) on Oct. 10.
Senior quarterback Jalen Carter was sharp during a 56-7 rout of Ottawa, completing 6 of 10 passes for 107 yards, with TD throws to Evan Frieders and Brady Brown. Frieders, a basketball standout, returned to play football this season after sitting out last year.
Carter Grabowski kept rolling along, adding nine carries for 85 yards and two TDs.
X-factor: Brady Alstott, Kaneland, senior, safety.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Kaneland.
Bishop McNamara (4-0, 2-0) at Aurora Christian (3-1, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: With both teams boasting prolific offenses, averaging more than 50 points a game, this one could give the scoreboard a workout. Bishop McNamara has outscored opponents 228-34, while Aurora Christian checks in with a 209-83 edge.
Last season, however, Bishop McNamara survived a 17-14 squeaker over the Eagles.
The Irish have faced just one team this season featuring a .500 record or better in Herscher (2-2). Aurora Christian has played Hope (4-0), Ottawa Marquette (2-2) and Crane (2-2).
Senior running back Julius May leads Bishop McNamara, while Aurora Christian has been powered by senior quarterback Asa Johnson.
X-factor: Jalen Callaway, Aurora Christian, sophomore, running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Aurora Christian.
Montini (4-0, 1-0) at Marmion (3-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Defending Class 3A state champion Montini will provide a strong test for the Cadets in a CCL/ESCC crossover. The Broncos are coming off a thriller, holding on last week to beat Fenwick 31-29 by stopping a 2-point conversion attempt after the Friars scored with no time left on the clock in regulation.
Marmion rolled to a 48-14 win over De La Salle, but sophomore quarterback Roy Magana Jr. faces a tougher test this week in the Broncos.
X-factor: Henry Miller, Marmion, junior, running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Montini.