Geneva, West Aurora, Burlington Central, Sandwich and Bolingbrook are picks to click for Week 3.
St. Charles North (2-0) at Geneva (1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The air show at the Vikings’ Burgess Field will be on full display, offering a big challenge for St. Charles North’s defense. Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen pointed out that senior quarterback Ben Peterson and senior receiver Bennett Konkey put up yardage numbers in last week’s 44-42 loss to Oswego that he believes were single-game program records.
Peterson, an Eastern Michigan recruit, completed 19 of 28 passes for 445 yards. Konkey, an Illinois commit, caught 10 passes for 223 yards. Georgia sophomore star Talyn Taylor, a Geneva graduate, had a single-game high of 199 yards in a state semifinal win over Cary-Grove in 2024.
“We’re pretty confident,” Thorgesen said. “Our records go back to 2000 and the game was a little more pound and ground in the 1980s and 1990s.”
Will two be enough for North Stars coach Rob Pomazak?
His two-quarterback rotation of Landon Conroy and Dashel Von Qualen have both converted big plays in wins over Minooka and South Elgin.
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X-factor: Luke Ignoffo, Geneva, junior, wide receiver.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Geneva.
West Aurora (0-2) at Streamwood (1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Blackhawks wrap up a three-game road trip to start the season with their Upstate Eight West opener. A much tougher schedule to date should have West Aurora prepared for this game.
The running game led by senior Bryce Riley and junior Michael Williams could be the difference, but don’t be surprised if senior first-year quarterback Tyler Fecht steps up and has a breakout game against the improving Sabres. Riley has 315 yards this season, with Williams adding 143.
X-factor: Richard Bell Jr., West Aurora, senior, wide receiver.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: West Aurora.
Burlington Central (2-0, 2-0) at Cary-Grove (1-1, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This is one of the big tests for the Rockets if they hope to take the next step and capture the Fox Valley Conference title in prelude to a long playoff run.
Senior running back Parker Auxier leads the way on offense, while senior linebackers Liam Schultz and Ben Hultgren head a stingy defense that has allowed just 10 points so far.
X-factor: Tobi Oduwa, Burlington Central, senior, defensive line.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Burlington Central.
Plano (0-2) at Sandwich (1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Will this be the end of the line for the War on 34?
It will for the time being at least. Sandwich is moving in 2027 to what will be the 10-team Illinois Central Eight Conference, allowing no room for a nonconference matchup. The rivalry between the Reapers and Indians dates to 1897. Sandwich, winners of the last four meetings, holds a 58-52-4 edge according to the Reapernation.com website.
The Indians are coming off a 26-14 win over Eureka (1-1) behind the running of seniors Wyatt Gregory, who had 18 carries for 259 yards, and Chase Clark, who added 18 carries for 108 yards.
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Plano dropped a 26-16 decision to Manteno (2-0) despite getting 99 yards rushing from junior Cooper Beaty and 106 yards passing and 74 rushing from senior Braylon Schmidt.
X-factor: Cash White, Sandwich, senior linebacker/quarterback.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Sandwich.
Bolingbrook (1-1) at Yorkville (2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The loaded Raiders stumbled out of the gate, dropping a stunning 31-0 decision to Homewood-Flossmoor, but then bounced back with a 37-6 win over Simeon. Darieon Prescott, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound junior defensive end, is listed as a five-star player by 247 Sports.
Yorkville started strong, beating Crete-Monee 25-15 in the opener and then rolling past Joliet West 37-6 in a Southwest Prairie Conference crossover game.
The Foxes have used two quarterbacks, with junior Max Delgado passing for 229 yards and running for 79 more and senior Quintin Rink throwing for 79 yards.
Senior running back Gavin Geegan is the team’s rushing leader with 179 yards and senior wideout Joel Castillo the receiving leader with 226 yards.
X-factor: Dillon Viscogliosi, Yorkville, senior, linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Bolingbrook.