It’s a loaded weekend around the area in Week 2. Here are previews of a few of the best games.
No. 3 Montini at No. 23 Sandburg, 7:30 p.m. Friday
This looks to be the first real test for Montini (1-0), which coasted past outmanned Hoopeston 48-0 last week for its 25th straight win. Five-star quarterback Israel Abrams, a Miami commit, threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns while playing just two quarters. Linebackers Ben Evenson and Orlando Greco each had two tackles for loss. Sandburg (1-0) was missing its returning starting quarterback, Sean Ruisz, in a 28-6 win against Riverside-Brookfield, but backup Max Fahey threw for 214 yards and four TDs.
No. 6 Oswego at No. 12 Geneva, 7 p.m. Friday
Junior running back Ammar Banire — who has offers from Illinois, Indiana and Iowa among others — piled up 286 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns behind a big, experienced offensive line as Oswego (1-0) beat Neuqua Valley 44-22 last week. Iowa State-bound defensive back Dontrell Young leads the Panthers defense. Geneva (1-0) has one of the state’s elite pass-and-catch duos in quarterback Ben Peterson (Eastern Michigan) and receiver Bennett Konkey (Illinois), the defending Class 3A state champ in the 100 and 200 meters. Kinkey returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and finished with 279 all-purpose yards in a 28-14 win against Libertyville last week.
No. 15 St. Rita at No. 10 Glenbard West, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
In his varsity starting debut, senior quarterback John Fennell of St. Rita (0-1) threw TD passes of 37 and 35 yards to TJ Burgos in a 28-21 loss to Providence. Glenbard West (1-0) has long been known for its deep and productive ground game. But this year the Hilltoppers feature an elite passing game led by quarterback AJ Rayford and tight end Brady Johnson, a Northwestern recruit who also is a game-changer on defense.
No. 17 York at No. 18 Nazareth, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Every week brings plenty of intriguing quarterback matchups. This one features York’s Zack Assaad, who passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Dukes (1-0) got past Glenbrook South 20-17 last week. Purdue-bound lineman Owen Roberts leads an experienced York defense. In his debut for Nazareth — a 35-21 loss to IC Catholic — junior transfer JJ Chapman passed for 303 yards and one TD. The Roadrunners had some key players out with injury last week, but are one of the state’s top Class 6A teams when at full strength.
No. 22 Lyons at Wheaton-Warrenville South, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Lyons (1-0) knocked off Barrington 24-19 last week, helping the West Suburban Silver seal a 7-0 opening week, as veteran running back EJ Kuhlman rushed for 132 yards. Linebackers Cole Harris and Aidan Webster helped to contain the Broncos’ powerful ground game and the Lions won the turnover battle 2-0. Junior three-sport standout AJ Rogers threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns and Trent Simpson broke off a 75-yard touchdown run as Wheaton-Warrenville South (1-0) beat Naperville Central 27-7 last week.
