Oswego, West Aurora, Rochelle, Geneva and Waubonsie Valley are picks to click for the seventh week of the regular season.
Oswego (6-0, 2-0) at Yorkville (3-3, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: It’s coming down to crunch time for defending Suburban Prairie West champion Yorkville, which hopes to extend its streak of playoff appearances to six.
The Foxes need two more wins with games against the undefeated Panthers, Oswego East (2-4) and Plainfield North (3-3). They have struggled on offense at times, being limited to a combined 14 points in their three losses.
Senior wide receiver Dyllan Malone, who has 23 receptions for 309 yards and four touchdowns, brings an interesting storyline to the game for Yorkville.
This summer, Malone committed to Northern Illinois. He has decommitted from the Mid-American Conference school and switched to Iowa State, a Power Four school coached by Matt Campbell, who previously coached in the MAC at Toledo.
Two weeks ago, Oswego coach Brian Cooney reached the 100-win mark with a 21-13 victory over Plainfield North. Senior linebacker Mikey Claycombe had 15 tackles last week in a 22-7 win over Bolingbrook.
It improved Cooney’s career record to 101-31, a .765 winning percentage in his 13th season.
X-factor: Jamarion Kenniel, Yorkville, senior, defensive lineman.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Oswego.
Larkin (2-4, 2-2) at West Aurora (6-0, 3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The feast-or-famine Royals, who have been outscored 220-50 this season, have been held scoreless in four losses.
The Blackhawks have pitched three shutouts and are allowing an average of 5.7 points.
Senior receiver Terrence Smith, an Iowa recruit, has missed three games with a leg injury but has been cleared to return. West Aurora coach Nate Eimer wasn’t sure if Smith would be ready Friday but expects him back soon.
So far, the Blackhawks have 1,510 yards rushing and 782 yards passing, with 14 players getting carries this season. Six have more than 100 yards rushing, led by sophomore Bryce Riley with 32 carries for 424 yards.
X-factor: Michael Williams, West Aurora, senior, running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: West Aurora.
Kaneland (4-2, 1-2) at Rochelle (5-1, 2-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Knights face the third in a stretch of three tough Interstate Eight Conference games that started with a 50-10 loss to Morris and a 35-7 setback to Sycamore.
Rochelle is coming off a 35-17 win over Morris. All three teams are ranked in by The Associated Press in Class 5A, with Sycamore at No. 2, Rochelle at No. 8 and Morris at No. 10.
Senior quarterback Chase Kruckenberg, a first-year starter, looks to get back on track. He had no interceptions through the first four games.
Sophomore running back Dylan Manning led the Hubs in the win over Morris, scoring on his first two touches and finishing with 217 yards rushing and four TDs.
X-factor: Jake Buckley, Kaneland, junior, offensive line/defensive line.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Rochelle.
Wheaton North (3-3, 1-3) at Geneva (6-0, 4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Vikings will be looking to avoid a letdown after an emotional 30-7 rivalry win over Batavia, snapping Bulldogs’ 13-game win streak in the series.
Geneva can clinch DuKane Conference title by winning out the final three weeks of the season.
Senior running back Michael Rumoro had a breakout 200-yard rushing game against Batavia. He now has 73 carries for 486 yards and six TDs. Senior quarterback Tony Chahino leads the conference with 1,412 yards passing.
The Falcons are looking to stop a two-game slide where they scored just six points in losses to Batavia and Wheaton Warrenville South.
X-factor: Troy Velez, Geneva, senior, linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Geneva.
DeKalb (0-6, 0-1) at Waubonsie Valley (3-3, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Barbs are playing for pride. Senior wide receiver Billy Miller had three TD catches in last week’s 54-21 loss to Andrew, covering 19, 23 and 56 yards.
The Warriors need to keep track of 6-foot-4 junior wide receiver Davon Grant, too. Last season, Grant had 900-plus yards receiving, leading to offers from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Marshall, Akron and Northern Illinois.
Waubonsie won this matchup 42-27 last season and needs at least two wins to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
X-factor: Chrisjan Simmons, Waubonsie Valley, senior, running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Waubonsie Valley.
