Friday Night Lights: An Inside Look at Wheaton Prep Football, Week 7

Marmion vs. St. Francis

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: College of DuPage football field, Herb Salberg Sports Complex, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

Records: Marmion 4-2, 2-1; St. Francis 4-2, 1-2

Last week: Marmion 24, Wheaton Academy 6; Montini 33, 14

Head coaches: Dan Thorpe, Marmion; Greg Purnell, St. Francis

Key players

Marmion: Garrett Becker, RB; Charlie Faunce, QB; A.J. Friedman, PK; Jake Ruddy, RB; Cory Snodgrass, RB; Dan Wedge, CB

St. Francis: Dan Beck, RB-DB; Kyle Bosch, OT; Nick Donati, QB; Robert Dwyer, OT; Jack Petrando, RB-LB; Jeff Ruskowski, RB-LB

About the game

Prior to the season, Purnell said in a published report that “you’ve got to beat the three M’s” in order to win the SCC Blue Division. Thus far, the Spartans are 0-2 vs. the M’s, having lost to Marian earlier this season and Montini last week.

Friday’s contest is important for St. Francis, not only playoff-wise, but to keep within striking distance of division-leading Marian. The Spartans currently find themselves tied with St. Edward for third place. A victory over Marmion Friday night would tie St. Francis with the Cadets in the standings. If St. Edward can somehow knock off Montini this weekend, there will be a four-way tie for second place. However, if the Broncos and Cadets both win, they would move into a tie for second behind Marian, and the Spartans would be eliminated from contending for the title.

The last of the “three M’s” on St. Francis’ schedule will be a formidable foe. The Cadets’ only losses so far have been to undefeated, Class 6A Batavia (Marmion is 4A) and to the two-time defending Class 5A champion Broncos. Marmion has already defeated St. Edward and Immaculate Conception—the Spartans’ two remaining opponents.

Faunce is more of a runner than a passer for the Cadets, who held off a fourth-quarter charge by IC last week. Becker suffered a hamstring injury vs. IC, and it’s not known whether he’ll suit up Friday night. However, Snodgrass and Ruddy are capable backs, and Ruddy is a receiving threat out of the backfield.

Naperville Central at Wheaton North

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Wheaton North High School, 701 W. Thomas

Records: Naperville Central 4-2, 3-1; 5-1, 4-0

Last week: Naperville Central 10, Glenbard North 6; Wheaton North 38, West Aurora 7

Head coaches: Mike Stine, Naperville Central; Joe Wardynski, Wheaton North

Key players

Naperville Central: Zach Borta, DL; John Dulleck, LB; Sean Goldner, OL; Mike Keller, OL; Ian Lewandowski, QB; Matt Randolph, RB

Wheaton North: Landon Bruni, OL; John Daniels, WR; Micah Penn, WR; John Peltz, QB; Patrick Sharp, RB; Mike Swider, LB

About the game

The Falcons, who have mopped up on their last three opponents—West Chicago, Glenbard East and West Aurora—by an average score of 40-8, now get into the meat of their schedule. On tap for Wheaton North Friday is Naperville Central. The Redhawks are coming off a pivotal win over previously undefeated Glenbard North. The triumph put Central into a four-way tie for second place in the DVC, and one game behind Wheaton North, which is in sole possession of first place.

If the Falcons prevail, they assure themselves of their third straight postseason appearance (with six wins) and take another step towards winning conference for the first time since 2002. A Redhawk victory, though, brings the Falcons down to the rest of the DVC pack.

Sharp returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with an injured ankle, and promptly gained over 100 yards for the third time this season (he had 98 yards in a Week 2 loss to Geneva). The Redhawks like to run, as well, with Randolph and Lewandowski, who ironically combined for a touchdown pass that proved to be the winning score last Friday. Naperville Central’s defense also has come on of late.

Wheaton Warrenville South at Glenbard North

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Glenbard North High School, 990 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream

Records: 3-3, 3-1; Glenbard North 5-1, 3-1

Last week: Wheaton Warrenville South 54, West Chicago 0; Naperville Central 10, Glenbard North 6

Head coaches: Ron Muhitch, Wheaton Warrenville South; Ryan Wilkens, Glenbard North

Key players

Wheaton Warrenville South: Thaddeus Armstrong, QB; Adam Dansdill, LB; Patrick Garner, RB; Jack Lipinsky, DE; Brandon Peterson, LB; Dan Vitale, RB

Glenbard North: Cody Burandt, OL; Daniel Eldridge, DL; Trevor Hackett, WR; Justin Jackson, DB-RB; Phil Jackson, RB; Brian Murphy, QB

About the game

The Tigers turned in their finest offensive performance of the year last week as Armstrong threw for three TDs—two to Brian Welch—while Vitale and Garner combined for over 100 yards rushing. Albeit, these numbers were compiled against West Chicago, but it’s hoped the momentum generated from this outburst will carry over into Friday night.

WWS is part of the aforementioned four-way tie for second in the DVC with the Napervilles and the Panthers, who dropped their first contest of 2011 last week. Both Glenbard North and WWS possess stubborn defenses, so look for this game to mirror the Panthers’ low-scoring affair with the Redhawks. The Panthers experienced a defensive hiccup two weeks ago, surrendering 21 points to West Aurora. But Glenbard North posted three straight shutouts prior to that game.

The Tigers’ defensive line will have its hands full with a Panther line that has beefy seniors Burandt (270), Dan McHale (290) and junior D’Angelo Hodges (280) leading the charge for star tailback Phil Jackson. Jackson put on 20 pounds during the off-season and improved his 40-yard dash time, as well. He’s scored 12 touchdowns and has over 600 yards rushing. His younger brother, Justin, a sophomore, backs him up and is a starting defensive back.