Week 5 High School Football Capsule Previews
September 20, 2012 8:46PM
Providence Celtics fullback David Kaminski (37) scores a touchdown against the Minooka Indians Providence High School in New Lenox, Illinois, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. | Michael DiNovo~For the Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 22, 2012 6:09AM
JOLIET CENTRAL (0-4, 0-2) at JOLIET WEST (1-3, 0-2)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last week: Lockport 22, Joliet Central 14; Bolingbrook 44, Joliet West 12
The breakdown: Joliet West prevailed 21-0 in last year’s SouthWest Suburban Blue match-up. For Joliet Central to earn its first victory since the return to separate programs in 2010, the Steelmen must win the turnover battle, limit penalties and prevent Tigers QB Ashton McCullough and WR/RBs Korey Rogers and Kameron Hargrove from breaking big plays.
ST. RITA (2-2, 0-1) at No. 4 PROVIDENCE (3-1, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday (on Me-TV)
Last week: Brother Rice 23, St. Rita 21; Loyola 41, Providence 21
The breakdown: Providence, which lost 19-0 to Catholic Blue foe St. Rita last year, has weapons in RBs Chad Weaver (288 yards, 3 TDs) and Brandon Price (262 yards, 4 TDs) along with QB Dominic Lagone (32-of-54, 413 yards; 165 rushing yards) and WR Miles Boykin (5 catches, 118 yards). St. Rita QB John Kelley (41-of-84, 594 yards) and RB Tim Lombard were injured last week and are questionable.
LINCOLN-WAY CENTRAL (1-3, 0-2) at LOCKPORT (1-3, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Sandburg 7, Lincoln-Way Central 3; Lockport 22, Joliet Central 14
The breakdown: Central has been playing in tough luck, dropping decisions of 21-17 to Homewood-Flossmoor and 7-3 to Sandburg in the last two SouthWest Suburban Blue battles. The Knights’ Kyle Waytek (476 yards) is among the area rushing leaders. Lockport will attempt to build off the ball-control second half it used last week to beat Joliet Central.
No. 3 JOLIET CATHOLIC (3-1, 2-0) at MARIST (4-0, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Joliet Catholic 34, Nazareth 33 (OT); Marist 42, St. Patrick 21.
The breakdown: Marist won the East Suburban Catholic shootout over Joliet Catholic 56-51 last year, the Hilltoppers won 49-42 in 2010 and more fireworks are brewing. Joliet Catholic counts on the improved health of WB Ty Isaac (272 rushing yards) and the passing of QB Craig Slowik (33-of-63, 554 yards). Marist features QB Ian Woodworth (99-for-166, 960 yards), WR Nic Weishar (33 catches, 421 yards) and RB Peter Andreotti (75 carries, 498 yards).
No. 10 PLAINFIELD NORTH (3-1, 2-0) at No. 9 PLAINFIELD CENTRAL (3-1, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Plainfield North 28, Plainfield East 14; Minooka 45, Plainfield Central 14
The breakdown: Plainfield Central had difficulty handling Minooka’s rushing attack and now the Wildcats will be challenged by Plainfield North’s Jay Roberts, who went for 221 yards in last week’s Southwest Prairie win over Plainfield East. Central RBs Jordan Ellingwood (305 yards) and Gino Giarratano (196) could cause problems for North’s defense. The Tigers won last year’s match-up 35-28.
PLAINFIELD SOUTH (1-3, 0-2) at ROMEOVILLE (0-4, 0-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Oswego East 32, Plainfield South 27; Oswego 41, Romeoville 0
The breakdown: Romeoville has scored 10 points all season and has allowed 42 per game, so the only place for the Spartans to go is up. However, Southwest Prairie foe Plainfield South also is in desperate need of a victory after dropping its first two league games. The Cougars won last year’s contest 34-14.
No. 2 LINCOLN-WAY EAST (4-0, 2-0) at SANDBURG (4-0, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last week: Lincoln-Way East 35, H-F 20; Sandburg 7, Lincoln-Way Central 3
The breakdown: QB Tom Fuessel (326 yards rushing, 9.6 average; 16-of-26 passing, 201 yards) is a headache for enemy defenses. The East defense will concentrate on Sandburg RB LeMonte Booker (582 yards, 11-plus per carry) in this SouthWest Suburban Blue rivalry. The Griffins won last year 31-7.
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR (3-1, 1-1) at No. 1 BOLINGBROOK (4-0, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Lincoln-Way East 35, H-F 20; Bolingbrook 44, Joliet West 12
The breakdown: Homewood-Flossmoor’s defense has been allowing some points, and that’s not a good sign when the next Southwest Suburban Blue opponent is Bolingbrook QB Aaron Bailey. The Illinois-bound Bailey is the ultimate run-pass threat. He led the Raiders to a 41-28 win over H-F last season and eventually to the Class 8A state title.
YORKVILLE (3-1, 0-0) at No. 6 MORRIS (4-0, 0-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Yorkville 35, LaSalle-Peru 6; Morris 56, Dixon 6
The breakdown: Since losing to Ottawa 49-0 in Week 1, Yorkville’s offense has exploded under coach Karl Hoinkes, formerly at Oswego. On the other hand, the Foxes’ victims the past three weeks are a combined 1-11. Morris, with designs on a Northern Illinois Big 12 East title, has been sound defensively and Reese Sobol (224 yards) and Jeff Perry (210) have led a balanced ground attack.
No. 8 WILMINGTON (3-1, 2-0) at SENECA (2-2, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Wilmington 56, Dwight 0; Seneca 46, Westmont 13
The breakdown: Apparently the 13-12 loss to Coal City in Week 1 made Wilmington’s blood boil. The Wildcats have outscored their last three opponents by a combined 126-0. Seneca is averaging 25 points and allowing 20. Wilmington won last year’s Interstate Eight Small match-up 34-14.
No. 5 LEMONT (4-0, 1-0) at OAK FOREST (4-0, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Lemont 31, Tinley Park 24; Oak Forest 45, Shepard 21
The breakdown: Lemont is 6-1 since 2006 in head-to-head match-ups against South Suburban Blue foe Oak Forest. The Indians’ rushing attack features Christos Giatras (423 yards, 8 TDs). Oak Forest’s Nick Ciufia (301 yards rushing, 9 TDs) has been dynamite at QB since taking over for the injured Tom Zale at halftime of Week 2. Zale, however, could return. Either way, Bengals RB Matt Barry (472 yards, 5 TDs) is a key.
Compiled by Dick Goss
