Football: Week 1 Capsule Previews
August 23, 2012 10:54PM
Updated: September 25, 2012 10:31AM
(Last season’s record in parentheses)
JOLIET CATHOLIC (11-3) at PROVIDENCE (6-4)
Kickoff: 7:08 p.m. Friday
The breakdown: Will Providence be able to slow down a Joliet Catholic attack that features WB Ty Isaac, who rushed for 515 yards and six touchdowns in last year’s Class 5A title game against Montini? Will the Celtics be able to control the clock with senior TB Brandon Price? The answers will go a long way toward determining the type of game the ESPNU national television audience will see.
MORRIS (9-2) at MINOOKA (6-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
The breakdown: In last year’s renewal of the Grundy County rivalry, Morris took advantage of Minooka mistakes and scored a 27-21 victory. The Indians will attempt to return the favor and give new coach Paul Forsythe his first victory. QB Joe Carnagio and WRs Luke Stovall and Max Brozovich lead the Minooka offense. Morris features a pair of two-way Division I recruits, TE/DE Danny Friend (Indiana) and RB/LB Jeff Perry (Central Michigan).
COAL CITY (9-2) at WILMINGTON (7-4)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The breakdown: Coal City returns nine defensive starters and figures to be difficult to score on. Wilmington has excellent returning skill-position players in QB Sean Liaromatis and RBs Chris Tworek and Mike Wolfe. Last year’s game went down to the wire with Coal City winning 20-14. Late heroics may be in the offing again.
THORNRIDGE (0-9) at JOLIET WEST (2-7)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday
The breakdown: Joliet West came within a few plays, a few tough breaks, of winning two or three more games last season. The Tigers are determined to get over that hump and take the next step. QB Ashton McCullough and RB/WRs Kameron Hargove and Korey Rogers provide some of the optimism.
RICH CENTRAL (4-5) AT JOLIET CENTAL (0-9)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday
The breakdown: Joliet Central coach Brett Boyter makes his debut and is eager for the Steelmen to gain their first victory since the separate programs at West and Central were restored two years ago. Boyter thinks the Steelmen have a defensive unit, led by LB Malik Neal, that could lead the way.
LOCKPORT (7-4) at DOWNERS GROVE NORTH (2-7)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The breakdown: Lockport opened last season with a 33-21 victory over Downers Grove North in Don McKillip’s first game as Porters coach. McKillip’s team reached Round 2 of the playoffs. Now he is looking to take the next step. The Porters return three regulars on both the offensive and defensive lines.
PLAINFIELD CENTRAL (5-4) at AMUNDSEN (2-7)
Kickoff: 3 p.m. Saturday
The rundown: Plainfield Central knocked off Amundsen 41-15 to open the 2011 season and is looking for a similar result. RBs Jordan Eillingwood, Gino Giarratano and Tyler Erdman are in their third varsity seasons, and QB Brian Blair has shown well in the preseason. On defense, 6-2, 230-pound NT Bryce Douglas, who committed to Illinois, is difficult to move.
CARMEL (7-4) at LINCOLN-WAY EAST (9-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The breakdown: Interesting beginning of the season for Lincoln-Way East as the Griffins face Carmel and Montini before jumping into the SouthWest Suburban Blue portion of the schedule. QB Tom Fuessel, who can throw, adds another dimension to the East attack with his running ability.
PLAINFIELD EAST (3-6) at METEA VALLEY (4-5)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
The rundown: A 37-28 loss to Metea Valley got Plainfield East started in the wrong direction last season, and the Bengals would like nothing better than to gain revenge and some momentum entering next week’s battle with powerful Batavia. With LB/RB Brennen Rompa and OL Tyler Lancaster the keys, East is thinking in terms of the first playoff berth in school history.
ROMEOVILLE (3-6) at HINSDALE SOUTH (5-4)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
The rundown: Romeoville needs to wipe out memories of 2011, which began with a tough 22-20 loss to Hinsdale South. LB Caleb Bailey, a Division I prospect, will see plenty of action in skill positions on offense, and QB Jake Bambule also is returning.
Compiled by Dick Goss
