High School Lites Preview: Week Six

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NBC Sports Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school football games across Chicagoland on the Week Six edition of High School Lites, Friday at 11:00 p.m. Can H-F go on the road and stun top-ranked Lincoln-Way East? Can anyone (including Jacobs) slow down the Prairie Ridge run game? Can Waubonsie Valley beat rival Neuqua Valley twice in the same season? Can Geneva turn back the clock and upset Batavia in "The Biggest Game Of The Season? "And, will Evanston or New Trier take a step up, win the rivalry game and gain traction in the Central Suburban South conference?

(4) Homewood Flossmoor at (1) Lincoln-Way East, 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Homewood-Flossmoor (5-0, 3-0) features a strong running game led by RB Leon Tanna and a big offensive line which includes junior OL Marcus Harper. Cocah Craig Buzea's Viking defense has been equally as impressive. Keep an eye on senior DL Isaiah Coe, senior DE Charlie Brooks and senior DB Wynston Russell (Oregon State). Coach Rob Zvonar's Lincoln-Way East Griffins (5-0, 3-0) have as much talent and depth as any program in Illinois. They have received a big season from senior QB Jack Baltz and RB Devon Williams. Injured standout WR/RB AJ Henning has returned to the starting lineup while the Griffins defense has pitched three straight shutouts. Can the H-F offense get the running game going against the East defense? Have the Griffins been tested against a team as strong as the Vikings so far this season? 

EDGY's Pick: Lincoln-Way East 28 H-F 21

Prairie Ridge at Jacobs, 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Prairie Ridge (4-1, 4-1) has been flying a bit under the radar. But Coach Chris Schremp and the Wolves keep rolling behind a potent power running game. Watch for senior FB Jackson Willis, RB Ethan Kirchburg and QB Connor Lydon to carry the offense. Jacobs (3-2, 3-1) and head coach Bill Mitz are looking to bounce back after a 38-21 non-conference loss to Neuqua Valley last Friday. Golden Eagles starting QB Anthony Wilson was injured in that loss to the Wildcats and needed backup QB Cole Bhardwaj to finish the game. Jacobs will hope to keep the Prairie Ridge defense off-balanced with a running game led by senior RB Jake Michels. Can the Jacobs defense find the football and slow down the Prairie Ridge triple-option game?

EDGY's Pick: Prairie Ridge 35 Jacobs 21

Aurora Christian at St. Francis, 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Aurora Christian (4-1, 2-1) will look to bounce back this week after suffering a tough 44-0 loss last Friday against IC Catholic Prep. Eagles head coach David Beebe has always had a potent offense; this year, the 'O is led by sophomore QB Ethan Hampston. St. Francis (4-1, 1-1) and head coach Bob McMillen will look to bounce back after a tough loss last Friday to Bishop McNamara. The Spartans will rely on their running game, paced by RB Henry Plamondon. Can the St. Francois defense slow down the Aurora Christian spread offense?

EDGY's Pick: Aurora Christian 35 St. Francis 27

Conant at Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Conant (3-2, 1-0) head coach Bryan Stortz has the Cougars playing well this season. They're coming of a huge 21-12 upset win last Friday over Barrington. Conant will look towards a balanced offensive attack led by QB Kevin Polack and RB Bradley Spates. Conant's defense has been consistently strong all season. Schaumburg (3-2, 0-1) is looking to rebound from a 14-0 loss last Friday to Hoffman Estates. The Saxons, under coach Mark Stilling, will look to mix it up on offense behind QB Marcus Ross and RB Mike DiGioio. Can Schaumburg get the offense back on track this week? Can Conant win time of possession against the Saxons and also avoid allowing the big play?

EDGY's Pick: Conant 24, Schaumburg 21

(25) Waubnonsie Valley at Neuqua Valley, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Waubonsie Valley (5-0, 1-0) is off to strong start this season, compliments of a strong running game led by junior RB Bryce Logan and a big, physical offensive line. The Warriors are more than capable with the play-action passing game. Neuqua Valley (3-2, 0-0) and head coach Bill Ellinghaus also want to establish the running game with senior RB Will Chevalier. They also mix in the pass behind QB John Gronowski and a deep group of receivers and backs. Waubonise Valley beat Neuqua Valley 17-10 back in Week Three as the Warriors defense held the Neuqua's offense in check. Can Neuqua Valley dial up more offense this time around? Can Waubonsie Valley get their running game going against the Neuqua defense?

EDGY's Pick: Neuqua Valley 14 Waubonsie Valley 13

Geneva at (3) Batavia, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: This will be the 100th meeting between these two longtime rivals. The game draws a packed house every time the Bulldogs and Vikings meet. Geneva (0-5, 0-3) and head coach Rob Wicinski will be looking for their first win of the season. The Vikings will look to get their offense in gear behind junior QB Alex Williams and senior RB Brendan Krohe. Batavia (5-0, 3-0) and head coach Dennis Piron went to the power running game in last week's win over Wheaton South/ Junior RB/LB Quinn Urwiler is one of several running backs to watch. The Bulldogs defense is also a strength this fall behind senior LB Luke Weerts (North Dakota State) and senior LB MIchae Jansey (Northwestern). Can Geneva's offense get on track? 

EDGY's Pick: Batavia 37 Geneva 17

St. Charles East at St. Charles North, 7:30 p.m. #SendEDGY

EDGY's Take: The Battle of St. Charles is easily, year in and year out, one of the biggest and best IHSA football games all season. Coach Bryce Farquhar's St. Charles East (4-1, 2-1) squad will look to establish the power running game with senior FB/LB Justin Jett. The Saints also broke out the passing game last Friday behind QB BJ Crossen in beating Geneva 56-20 as Crossen threw for 256 yards and five touchdowns. St. Charles North (4-1, 3-0), with head coach Rob Pomazak, will also looksto get the running game on track. RB Sam DeMarco will get some looks; WR/S Tyler Nubin (Minnesota) is always involved --and always around the football-- for the North Stars. Can the North defense solve the St. Charles East power-option game this week? Can the East offense keep North's defense off-balanced with both the run and the pass? Expect a very close, last possession type of finish here. 

EDGY's Pick: St. Charles North 30 St. Charles East 29 

(15) Willowbrook at York, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Willowbrook (5-0, 3-0) will look to keep their perfect season alive this week against York (2-3, 1-2) in a terrific West Suburban Conference crossover game. Warriors head coach Nick Hildreth has received a big season so far from QB Sam Tumilty. He is surrounded by plenty of weapons including RB D'onte Gholston and WR Scott Tumilty. York, under first-year head coach Mike Fitzgerald, also has plenty of names to watch this fall including LB/TE Zane Heemsoth, QB Daniel Dunn and RB Ke'von Robinson. Can York's offense dent the Willowbrook defense? Is this a must-win for York?

EDGY's Pick: Willowbrook 28 York 17

(22) Evanston at (23) New Trier, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Evanston (4-1, 0-1) is looking for a bounce-back win after losing to Maine South last Friday. The Wildkits and head coach Mike Burzawa have balance on offense with QB Ben Tarpey along with RB Quadre Nicholson and senior WR Michael Axelrood. Their defense that has been a strength all season. New Trier (4-1, 1-0) has been solid since their Week Two loss to Loyola. The Trevians will rely on senior QB Carson Ochsenhirt and senior RB/LB Brian Sitzer. Senior TE/DL Duke Olges (Northwestern) is a key on both sides of the football. Can the Trevians defense slow down the Kits offensive weapons? Can Evanston pull off a big rivalry game win on the road this week?

EDGY's Pick: Evanston 35 New Trier 34 OT

Viewers' Choice Game 

St. Edward at Chicago Christian, 7:15 p.m.

EDGY's Take: This Metro Suburban Red conference showdown will feature St. Edward (2-3, 2-0) on the road against Chicago Christian (4-1, 1-0). St. Edward head coach Mike Rolando and the Green Wave have won two straight games after starting the season at 0-3 against some top level competition. Chicago Christian and head coach Nick Cook fired off four straight wins to open the season but lost last week to Ridgewood. Last possession wins?

EDGY's Pick: St. Edward 27 Chicago Christian 24

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