Geneva, Oswego, Huntley, St. Charles North and Heyworth are the picks to click for Week 6.
Geneva (4-1, 3-0) at Batavia (4-1, 3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: There’s plenty on the line as two of the three DuKane Conference co-leaders square off for the 108th meeting in a rivalry series that dates back 113 years.
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Geneva leads the series 52-50 with five ties, but the Bulldogs have won 14 of the last 15 meetings with coach Dennis Piron at the helm. Vikings coach Boone Thorgesen is 1-4 against Batavia.
Batavia is averaging 44.8 points this season, while Geneva is at 37.6.
“We definitely have explosive capabilities,” Piron said. “We can score quickly and so can they, and both quarterbacks are outstanding. We can score on anyone in Illinois. That’s not a concern.
“It’s just can we slow people down a little bit? Our defense is coming together.”
Both quarterbacks are Division I recruits, Batavia’s Michael Vander Luitgaren (Wyoming) has competed 77% of his passes for 1,509 yards with 19 touchdowns for a 140.3 rating. Ben Peterson (Eastern Michigan) has completed 70% for 1,607 yards with 19 TDs for a 148.9 rating.
Illinois-bound senior receiver Bennett Konkey has 40 receptions for 886 yards and 12 TDs for Geneva. Senior receiver Darin Ashiru, a Western Michigan commit, has 39 catches for 594 yards and five TDs for Batavia.
X-factor: Tate Beran, Geneva, senior, defensive back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Geneva.
Oswego (4-1, 1-1) at Yorkville (3-2, 0-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Look for another knockdown, drag-out Southwest Prairie West game. The Panthers finished second in Class 8A last year, but the Foxes handed them one of their two regular-season losses with a 16-6 decision.
In fact, Yorkville has had Oswego’s number, going 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Last week, the Panthers were without junior running back Ammar Banire, who remains questionable, in a 35-7 win over Plainfield South. Senior fullback Graham Schwab had two TD receptions and a TD run.
Yorkville counters with senior running back Gavin Geegan, who rushed for 183 yards in last week’s 35-14 win over Plainfield East.
Linebacker Cam Loghmani and defensive end Ethan Pilip, both seniors, have two blocked kicks apiece for the Panthers.
X-factor: Dontrell Young, Oswego, senior, defensive back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Oswego.
Jacobs (5-0, 5-0) at Huntley (5-0, 5-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The winner will take control of the Fox Valley Conference race.
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The Red Raiders have been stellar on defense, blanking three opponents and allowing just six points entering last week’s 42-35 win over Cary-Grove that wasn’t decided until the final possession. The Golden Eagles, solid on defense, have come up big in several tight games.
Jacobs’ balanced offense features an improving passing game led by junior quarterback Austin Stennett and junior receiver Owen Crouch. Junior running back Aiden Brunner headlines the ground game.
Dual-threat quarterback Malik Carter, a 6-foot-5 junior, is drawing plenty of high-level Division I recruiting interest for Huntley.
X-factor: Noah Hanson, Huntley, senior, defensive end.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Huntley.
St. Charles East (3-2, 1-2) at St. Charles North (2-3, 0-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The North Stars are still searching for first DuKane Conference win after struggling to stop Batavia in a 55-35 loss, giving up 500-plus yards. Senior quarterback Landon Conroy threw for 346 yards to spark the rally from a 36-6 halftime deficit to getting within 49-35.
The Saints are on the rise, hanging close with unbeaten Wheaton North behind TD passes from junior quarterback Cruz Herrera to junior reciver Luca Munaretto and St. Thomas-bound senior receiver Christian Hirniak before dropping a 16-12 decision.
Could the running of senior Johnny Solano and junior Rowan Slovick be the difference for the Saints?
X-factor: Tommy Vendl, St. Charles North, senior, running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: St. Charles North.
Heyworth (5-0) at Aurora Central Catholic (1-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Freshman Griffin Curry made his first career start at quarterback last week for the Chargers, who finally got the offense going in a 48-0 victory over winless Walther Christian. Curry threw a TD pass on the opening drive and ran for another.
Junior running back Leo Corral ran for two TDs, while senior fullback Aidan Crisci caught a TD pass. Both intercepted passes on defense.
Heyworth figures to provide more of a challenge coming off a 42-8 win over Leroy. Sophomore Nate Godfrey averages 90 yards rushing a game to lead the Hornets.
X-factor: Joey Arch, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, tackle/defensive end.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Heyworth.