Metea Valley, Wheaton Academy, Geneva, Yorkville and West Aurora are clicks to pick for Week 8.
Metea Valley (2-5, 1-3) at DeKalb (1-6, 0-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Mustangs need one more win to clinch the second playoff berth in the program’s short history and should be favored over struggling DeKalb.
Junior quarterback Iggy Amorrortu leads the offense with 1,154 yards passing after throwing for 138 yards in last week’s 17-7 loss to Waubonsie Valley. He ran for 74 yards and a 54-yard touchdown.
“He’s impressive,” Waubonsie Valley coach Adam Pucylowski said of Amorrortu. “He can really run and can throw the ball. You can see the bags under my eyes from worrying about that all week.”
Senior outside linebacker Tito Ajibola, who had 16 tackles last week, leads Metea’s defense with 51 tackles.
The Barbs, who need to win out to get into playoffs, have kept games close for at least a half all season before being hurt by late turnovers and other miscues.
X-factor: Khamari Rodgers, Metea Valley, junior, safety.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Metea Valley.
Aurora Christian (6-1, 4-1) at Wheaton Academy (6-1, 4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Second place in the Chicagoland Christian Conference standings should be on the line, with both teams favored in their respective regular-season finales.
Each team trails league leader Bishop McNamara by a game, the Eagles having dropped a 42-22 decision to the Irish and the Warriors last week losing 34-28 when senior running back Ethan Brooks
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was stopped on fourth down in the red zone in the final 2:00.Even more important will be the impact on playoff seeding.
“It’s interesting because of the rule changes for the playoffs,” Aurora Christian coach David Beebe said. “I don’t know exactly how this is gonna play out, but 8-1 is always better than 7-2. We would’ve gotten a bye at 7-2 last year.”
Sophomore quarterback Jesus “Juju” Vasquez continues to improve for the Eagles and could top 1,000 yards passing. He has 969 yards with 12 TDs. Junior running back Jalen Callaway leads a balanced attack with 995 yards rushing and 16 TDs.
X-factor: Logan Oros, Wheaton Academy, senior, linebacker/athlete.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Wheaton Academy.
Wheaton North (5-2, 3-2) at Geneva (6-1, 5-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Riding a five-game winning streak, all in the DuKane, the Vikings can clinch at least a tie for conference title with a win. A date at St. Charles East closes out the regular season.
Wheaton North is on a two-game losing streak after a 5-0 start following a 21-18 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South and a 28-21 loss to Batavia.
Can Geneva’s aerial show — directed by Eastern Michigan-bound senior quarterback Ben Peterson and featuring Illinois-bound senior receiver Bennett Konkey and junior receiver Luke Ignoffo — be stopped?
X-factor: Alex Abraham, Geneva, senior, safety.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Geneva.
Oswego East (4-3, 0-3) at Yorkville (3-4, 0-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Youth was served for Oswego East in last week’s 42-0 win at Romeoville, with three sophomores stepping up.
Quarterback Carter Meindel passed for 202 yards and two TDs, running back Jeremiah Gbean tallied 164 yards and three TDs on 18 carries and receiver Gavin Ortiz caught four passes for 43 yards and a TD.
Junior quarterback Max Delgado, a dual threat for the Foxes, will be a major concern for senior linebacker Jack Ponto and the Wolves’ defense.
X-factor: Joel Castillo, Yorkville, senior wide receiver/returner.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Yorkville.
Glenbard South (5-2) at West Aurora (4-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This Upstate Eight crossover should provide a second straight strong test for Blackhawks. The Raiders’ lone conference loss was a 20-12 setback to crosstown rival Glenbard East.
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Glenbard South features three-year starters in senior quarterback Tommy Bauman, junior running back Elijah Donahue and junior receiver Anthony Baldauf, all returning all-conference picks.
Senior receiver Richard Bell Jr. caught three passes for 62 yards and senior tight end Brendon Salach added two catches for 82 yards and a TD as senior quarterback Tyler Fecht threw for 177 yards in West Aurora’s 29-27 loss last week to South Elgin on a late field goal.
X-factor: Darius Stewart, West Aurora, senior, linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: West Aurora.