EIGHT PUT PERFECT RECORDS ON LINE
Phillips-Loyola tops four games with teams battling to stay unbeaten
NO. 25 PHILLIPS AT NO. 1 LOYOLA
4:45 p.m. Friday: It’s the fifth consecutive ranked opponent for the Ramblers (4-0), and the second consecutive game scheduled on the fly because of COVID-19 disruptions. These teams last met in a memorable 2017 game at Gately Stadium, when Phillips held on for the biggest regular-season win by a Public League team in years. The Wildcats (2-0) have a talented young quarterback in junior Tyler Turner and a pair of Division I defensive backs: Deavion Pierce (Miami, Ohio) and Willie Jones (Bowling Green). Vaughn Pemberton’s running and a lockdown defense have been an unbeatable combination for Loyola.
NO. 16 PROSPECT AT BUFFALO GROVE
7 p.m. Friday: The Mid-Suburban East title is on the line, with both teams coming in 4-0 overall and in league play. Prospect has been dominant, averaging 46 points per game. Senior quarterback Gary Moeller, who announced Wednesday on Twitter he’ll be a preferred walk-on at Wisconsin, accounted for six touchdowns last week vs, Hersey (four passing, one rushing, one interception return). Cornell recruit Ayden Anderson has been a spark for Buffalo Grove’s offense.
NO. 11 GLENBARD WEST AT NO. 9 HINSDALE CENTRAL
7 p.m. Friday: Glenbard West (2-0, 1-0 West Suburban Silver) returns to action for the first time since Week 2 in one of the most anticipated games of the season in the west suburbs. As usual, the Hilltoppers like to spread the ball around among a variety of backs running behind a line anchored by Syracuse-bound guard Wes Hoeh. Quarterback Michael Brescia, a Colgate recruit, paces a potent offense for Hinsdale Central (4-0, 3-0), which averages 41 points.
NEW TRIER AT NO. 8 MAINE SOUTH
7 p.m. Friday: The Central Suburban South title goes to the winner with both teams coming in 4-0 overall and in the conference. Maine South has one of the state’s premier tight ends in 6-5 junior Chris Petrucci, a three-star prospect who committed to Northwestern on Wednesday. Hawks quarterback Luke Leongas, who returned home after playing last fall at North Fort Myers (Florida), is out after re-injuring his right knee against Glenbrook South last week. Brody Roth has been a difference maker on both sides of the ball for New Trier.
KENWOOD VS. NO. 23 SIMEON
3 p.m. Saturday at Gately: Simeon (2-0, 2-0 Illini Red Bird) has the Public League’s best lineman: 6-8, 300-pound offensive tackle Cameron James, a Minnesota recruit. Threestar senior wide receiver/defensive back George Gumbs and sophomore receiver Malik Elzy, who has a Michigan offer, are two more to watch for the Wolverines. Kenwood (1-1, 1-1) also has a pair of receivers to keep an eye on: Jalil Martin, the Public League’s top junior prospect, and sophomore Logan Lester.