High School Lites Preview: Week Seven

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NBC Sports Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school football games across Chicagoland on the Week Seven edition of High School Lites, Friday at 11:00 p.m. Can Marist go on the road and beat Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park? Is this the year that Oswego East snaps Oswego's 13 game winning streak in this heated Southwest Prairie duel? Can T.F. South beat South Suburban Blue rival Hillcrest? Can Kaneland go on the road and beat upstart Yorkville? And who do you have in a huge West Suburban Silver battle: Hinsdale Central or Glenbard West?

(9) Marist at (2) Nazareth Academy, 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Marist (5-1, 4-0) has won five straight games since losing in Week One to Brother Rice. Coach Ron Dawczak's Redhawks feature a spread offense led by senior QB Mike Markett and a strong group of receivers including Rivals.com four star-ranked junior WR Jadon Thompson. Marist's defense has also been a strength. Senior DB Kendric Nowling (Eastern Michigan) leads an experienced unit. Nazareth Academy (6-0, 5-0), under head coach Tim Racki, have picked things up right where they left off last season. The Roadrunners have been piling up the wins and points so far in 2018. Their offense starts with sophomore QB J.J. McCarthy, senior WR/DB/KR Michael Love and senior WR/S Diamond Evans (South Dakota State). The defense is also deep and experienced. Keep an eye out for senior DL Cameron Leach and Nathan Lugo. Whose defense can rise to the occasion? Can the Marist defense get a pass rush and keep pressure on the Nazareth passing game? Can the Roadrunner defense contain the Redhawks' spread and QB Mike Markett?

EDGY's Pick: Nazareth Academy 35 Marist 28

(11) Oswego at Oswego East, 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Welcome to the 'Game of the Year' in the Southwest Prairie Conference. Oswego (6-0, 6-0) head coach Brian Cooney has his Panthers rolling this season. They'll look to establish the running game with senior big back Charles Coleman and a big and physical offensive line. Oswego can also throw the football behind QB Noah Parker. His main target is senior WR Jamal Fomby. Head coach Tyson LeBlanc also has Oswego East (6-0, 6-0) playing well. East features standout senior ATH Justin Clark (NIU), senior RB/DB Jordan Williams and senior QB Brett Fern. The Wolves defense has allowed a meager six points so far on the season. Can the Oswego East defense matchup with a bigger Oswego offensive line? Can Oswego's defense contain the speedy Oswego East offense? The Panthers have won all 13 previous meetings against Oswego East. 

EDGY's Pick: Oswego 28 Oswego East 21

Marengo at Johnsburg, 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Head coach Paul Forsythe has Marengo (4-2, 3-0) playing well so far this season after posting a 2-7 season in 2017. Keep an eye out for Indians QB Travis Knaak along with RB Finn Schirmer. Johnsburg (5-1, 3-0) features a first-year head coach in Sam Lesniak. The Skyhawks have balance on offense with QB Alec Smith, RB Jacob McKinney and WR Augie Lichenstein. It's an intriguing battle with first place on the line in the Kishwaukee River conference. Can Marengo beat the Skyhawks on the road?
 
EDGY's Pick: Johnsburg 27 Marengo 21

Hillcrest at T.F. South, 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Hillcrest (6-0, 3-0) is one of the top-ranked teams in Class 5A. Coach Morgan Weaver's Hawks have several key names this season including RB Mar'Keise Irving. Senior QB Basil Webber has a primary target in senior WR/DB Corey Crooms (Western Michigan). T.F. South (6-0, 3-0) also has speed and talent this season. RB Jamarrion Gaines is a name to watch along for coach Bob Padjen's crew. Look for QB Kamron Clayton along with leading tackler junior LB Michael Smith to make plays as well. Can Hillcrest contain the South's run/pass game? Can the Rebels defense also take away Hillcrest's multiple offensive weapons?

EDGY's Pick: Hillcrest 29 TF South 17

Lemont at (13) Richards, 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: This South Suburban Conference crossover has a much different feel as Lemont (3-3, 3-1) has struggled to score points so far this season. But coach Bret Kooi's squad flashed some potential in last week's 53-6 romp over Bremen. The Indians will look to QB Luke Bailey and RB Paul Andreotti to lead the charge. Senior LB Cade Campos (Illinois State) is a leader of an experienced Indians defense. Head coach Tony Sheehan might have one of his most talented Richards (6-0, 4-0) teams since the Bulldogs 2013 6A state title runner up squad. Keep an eye on do-it-all senior ATH Sebastian Castro (Iowa) along with junior D-1 recruit RB Leshon Williams. Senior QB Marquel Porter is another name to watch. Can the Lemont offense dent the Richards defense? Can the Indians defense hang with the speedy Bulldogs offense?

EDGY's Pick: Richards 21 Lemont 14

Kaneland at Yorkville, 7:15 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Kaneland (5-1, 2-0) has been perfect so far in conference play. Coach Pat Ryan's Knights are getting a big season from RB Jonathon Alstott along with QB Joe Smith. Senior OL/DL Drew Hahn is an impact player on both sides of the football. Yorkville (5-1, 1-1) and head coach Dan McGuire have already surpassed last season's win total win (2-7) and are now playoff eligible. The Foxes have a big time quarterback to watch in junior Josh Beetham and a strong defense that's allowed just 76 points in six games this season. Can the Yorkville defense slow down Kaneland's balanced offense? 

EDGY's Pick: Kaneland 35 Yorkville 34

(18) Montini Catholic at Fenwick, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Montini Catholic (6-0, 2-0) and head coach Mike Bukovsky have to feel good after last week's big come-from-behind 28-27 win last Saturday over Loyola. The Broncos offense was able to break through in the second half after training 21-0 in the middle of the third quarter. Montini will rotate in two quarterbacks in junior Deontay Bell and sophomore QB Robert Brazziel-- both are effective. Watch for RB Nick Fedanzo (Illinois), senior WR Scott West and junior WR Nate Muersch to make plays as well. Head coach Gene Nudo's Fenwick Friars (2-4, 1-1) will be fighting for their post-season lives. But they come in with momentum after a big 28-27 overtime win last Friday over St. Laurence. The Friars will look towards junior QB Danny Cronin to make a difference. Can he continue to kickstart a Fenwick offense that's scored just 65 points so far in 2018?
 
EDGY's Pick: Montini Catholic 35 Fenwick 12

(12) Glenbard West at (19) Hinsdale Central, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: This is a key game in the West Suburban Silver with the winner getting a big leg up for a conference crown. Hinsdale Central (5-1, 4-0), featuring head coach Dan Hartman, has a playmaker in senior QB Matt Rush. But the Red Devils can also run the football well with senior RB Matt Bobak. Glenbard west (5-1, 3-0) and head coach Chad Hetlet will stick to the Hilltoppers' successful formula: a strong running game led by senior RB Tyquan Cox and a very fast/physical defense. Can Hinsdale Central's defense limit the Hilltoppers running game and RB Tyquan Cox's big play potential? Can the Glenbard West defense disrupt and get pressure on Red Devils' spread passing game?

EDGY's Pick: Glenbard West 24 Hinsdale Central 21 

(3) Batavia at St. Charles East, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Batavia (6-0, 4-0) and head coach Dennis Piron has his Bulldogs winning big so far this season. Batavia has a balanced offense, led by QB Jack Meyers, along with a deep group of backs led by junior RB/LB Quinn Urwiler. The Bulldog defense is also a strength. Keep an eye on senior LB/RB Luke Weerts (North Dakota State) and senior LB/RB Michael Jansey (Northwestern). St. Charles East (4-2, 2-2) head coach Bryce Farquhar wants to run the football. The Saints will establish the option attack as junior QB BJ Crossen is a key along with a big and physical offensive line. They're led by senior Justin Hull plus junior Dylan Barrett. Can the Batavia defense shut down the St. Charles East power game? 

EDGY's Pick: Batavia 34 St. Charles East 20

Viewers' Choice Game 

Goode vs. Chicago Ag Science, 7:15 p.m. Thursday at Gately Stadium

EDGY's Take: In this Chicago Public League Illini Windy City conference showdown, Goode (1-5, 0-2) and head coach Keith Miller will look to find a way this week. Job one includes trying to repair a defense that has allowed 253 points in six games this season. Ag Science (5-1, 2-0) and head coach Shawn Finnin has the Cyclones rolling with an experienced team led by QB Elijah Jones and OL/DL Kam Williams.

EDGY's Pick: Ag Science 42 Goode 7

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