Week 4 football preview capsules

Updated: September 15, 2011 6:56PM

Click the link to view the Herald-News, the Naperville Sun or SouthtownStar preview capsules.

Bartlett at Batavia

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: This Upstate Eight crossover features two of the league’s better teams. Bartlett (2-1), which is a two-point road loss to Wheaton North away from being unbeaten, has one of the state’s top quarterbacks in Air Force-bound A.J. Bilyeu. In last week’s win over Waubonsie Valley, Bilyeu passed for two scores and ran for another. Batavia (3-0) has averaged more than 44 points a game and has a productive quarterback of its own in senior Noel Gaspari (41-of-60, 713 yards, eight touchdowns).

St. Rita at Brother Rice

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Me-TV.

Outlook: It’ll be strength against strength as No. 23 Rice (3-0) and its double-barreled rushing attack takes on No. 10 St. Rita (2-1) and its lockdown defense in a Catholic League Blue opener. Martez and Andrew Walker (who are not related) have combined for 716 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Crusaders, while linebacker Will McNamara and safety Charles Elmore are both D-I prospects for the Mustangs. Another player to watch on St. Rita’s ‘D’ is Zach Soria, who has four interceptions.

Loyola at Providence

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: Providence (3-0), which already has won more games than it did last season, will rely on a balanced ground game that features Andy Hoffmeister, Brandon Price and Jack Klyczek in this Catholic League Blue opener. No. 7 Loyola (3-0) has one of the state’s most exciting players in quarterback Malcolm Weaver, whose passing and running have given opponents fits. The Ramblers also have plenty of other playmakers, including receivers Marquese Martin-Hayes and Charlie Dowdle.

Lincoln-Way East at Homewood-Flossmoor

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: Two of the state’s premier passing games will be on display in this SouthWest Suburban Blue matchup of unbeatens. No. 5 H-F is led by 6-foot-7 quarterback Tim Williams (31-of-40, 601 yards, eight touchdowns), while No. 6 Lincoln-Way East counters with Blake Winkler (41-of-69, 681 yards, 10 touchdowns). Winkler has a Big Ten-bound receiver to throw to: Illinois recruit J.J. Robertson, Williams’ targets include Sean Jones and Sheldon Jones.

Montini at Marian Central

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: The Suburban Christian Blue is one of the state’s premier mid-sized conferences and this could be one of the league’s best games. No. 11 Montini (2-1, 1-0) has the state’s best receiver, Nebraska-bound Jordan Westerkamp, along with some other talented wideouts in Joe Borsellino and Anthony Taylor. For Marian Central (3-0, 1-0), quarterback Chris Streveler has 741 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns through three games.

Hinsdale Central at Glenbard West

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: No. 2 Glenbard West (3-0, 1-0 West Suburban Silver) has been dominant on defense, allowing just one touchdown and 10 points in three games. Penn State-bound lineman Tommy Schutt and identical twin cornerbacks Mike and Matt Marston had interceptions in last week’s win over Lyons. Avery Balogh has emerged as a game-breaking runner for the Hilltoppers. Hinsdale Central (2-1, 0-1) has alternated quarterbacks Brian Owens and Danny Callahan this season.

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