Marist brings best to Nazareth
Two of the hottest teams in the state meet Friday when No. 12 Marist visits No. 3 Nazareth at 7 p.m. in La Grange Park. It’s a chance for a statement win for Marist, which has won five consecutive games since a seasonopening loss to Brother Rice.
Nazareth, one of the area’s most talented teams, will provide a tough challenge. The Roadrunners impressed everyone in Week 2 with a 25-0 shutout of Lake Zurich. The offense has exploded behind the leadership of sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy and talented playmaker Michael Love.
Both the Roadrunners (6-0) and RedHawks (5-1) are 4-0 in the East Suburban Catholic. Marist was ranked fifth in the Super 25 but dropped after losing to Brother Rice in Week 1.
No. 4 Oswego (6-0) at No. 16 Oswego East (6-0), 7 p.m. Friday
These two teams enter the Crosstown Classic with Southwest Prairie Conference supremacy on the line. Oswego is coming off a 56-8 victory over Romeoville in which running backs Charles Coleman and Markus Tillmon ran circles around the defense. It will face a much tougher matchup against Oswego East, which has posted five shutouts in six games and has not allowed a point since August.
No. 9 Glenbard West (5-1) at No. 21 Hinsdale Central (5-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Glenbard West faces its toughest matchup since a season-opening loss to Maine South. The Hilltoppers are coming off a blowout win over Lyons at home in Week 6. The Red Devils crushed Proviso West on the road last week and haven’t lost since Aug. 31 to Willowbrook 21-17. Glenbard West may have the leg up in the Super 25 right now, but that could change if Hinsdale Central flexes its muscles Friday.
No. 3 Batavia (6-0) at St. Charles East (4-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday
This game has the potential to be a challenge for Batavia. St. Charles East is a tough team, and last week’s loss to St. Charles North surely provides extra motivation. The Fighting Saints were without top running back Justin Jett, and there is a chance that he returns against the Bulldogs. It’s time to see what both teams are made of.
No. 20 Prairie Ridge (5-1) at Waubonsie Valley (5-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Prairie Ridge and Waubonsie Valley meet in one of the best nonconference matchups in recent weeks. The Wolves are coming off a 42-2 win over Jacobs that kept them in the mix in the Fox Valley. Waubonsie Valley’s lone loss was to Neuqua Valley in a Week 6 rematch. It’s hard to play an opponent twice in one season, but Waubonsie allowed Neuqua Valley to gain over 400 yards of offense. How will the Warriors rebound?