Week 9 football preview capsules

Updated: October 19, 2011 7:00PM

Click the link to check out the Naperville Sun Week 9 preview capsules, SouthtownStar Week 9 football preview capsules or the Herald-News Week 9 football preview capsules.

Downers South at Addison Trail

Outlook: No. 5 Downers South has won 31 straight West Suburban Gold games since losing 6-0 to Addison Trail in 2006, the last year the Blazers (or anyone else) won the conference. The Mustangs have a Player of the Year candidate in running back Josh Williams, who has rushed for more than 1,900 yards and has scored 30 touchdowns. But Addison Trail (7-1, 5-0) showed it can hang with anyone when it lost just 14-0 to No. 2 Glenbard West in Week 7.

Glenbrook South at Maine South

When 7 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: No. 1 Maine South hasn’t (8-0, 4-0) lost a Central Suburban South game on 11th-year coach Dave Inserra’s watch, a streak that has reached 54 games. Quarterback Matt Alviti, one of the top prospects in the Class of 2013, and a stifling defense lead the Hawks, whose only test was a 13-9 win over WW South in Week 2. But No. 23 Glenbrook South (7-1, 4-0) has given the Hawks a better game than most opponents lately and hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in a game all year.

Joliet Catholic at Marist

Outlook: A few bulbs may go out on the scoreboard during this East Suburban Catholic showdown, which features a pair of explosive offenses. No. 14 Joliet Catholic (7-1, 6-1) has the 1-2 rushing combo of Northwestern recruit Malin Jones and Ty Isaac and has scored 56 or more points four times this season. Marist (6-2, 6-1) has made a habit of dramatic wins, getting eight touchdown passes from Ian Woodworth in a 64-63 double-overtime win at Carmel last Friday after beating St. Patrick on a field goal as time expired in Week 7.

Kaneland at Morris

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: In a conference that could produce five playoff teams, No. 20 Morris (8-0, 4-0 Northern Illinois Big 12 East) and Kaneland (8-0, 4-0) have been the best of the bunch. Morris opened the season with a quality win over Minooka and has rekindled memories of some of the Redskins’ great teams of the past. Kaneland hasn’t missed a beat after graduating Joe Camiliere, one of the most prolific passers in state history and the leader of last year’s Class 5A semifinalist.

Wheaton North at WW South

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: A month ago, two-time defending Class 7A champ Wheaton Warrenville South was 1-3 and looking at the possibility of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2002. But the Tigers (5-3, 5-1 DuPage Valley) have rattled off four straight wins thanks to a stingy defense that’s allowing just over 10 points a game. No. 16 Wheaton North (7-1, 6-0) is on a roll too, with six straight victories since a Week 2 loss at Geneva. Quarterback John Peltz sparks a productive offense for the Falcons, who are looking to beat their crosstown rival for the first time since 2002 and just the second time since 1989.

St. Rita at Loyola

When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: This has been a year marked by great defense in the Catholic League Blue, with three teams – No. 4 Loyola (8-0, 3-0), No. 6 St. Rita (7-1 3-0) and Mount Carmel – all giving up 11 points a game or fewer. Don’t be surprised if that trend continues here, with a St. Rita defense keyed by Will McNamara, Charles Elmore and Pat O’Connor going against a Loyola unit paced by Darby Goodwin, Daveed Carter and Lars Lopatka. On offense, watch for elusive Loyola quarterback Malcolm Weaver and St. Rita’s Tim Lombard, who has emerged as a go-to runner.

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