Beacon-News football notebook

WOODSTOCK - In the waning seconds of the first half in Friday night's Marmion Academy-Marian Central Catholic game, it became apparent the Cadets were getting placekicker A.J. Friedman into position for a field goal.

As this was unfolding, a reporter was talking with Marmion's film and stat crew about Friedman's range.

"It's got to be 40 yards, right?," the reporter asked.

"I'll guess we'll find out," came the reply as the drive stalled at the Hurricanes' 30-yard line with 5.5 seconds left.

Friedman, who had made kicks of just 22 and 26 while missing from 33 and 38 in the first three games, trotted out for a 47-yard attempt.

Sure enough, the junior drilled the kick with room to spare.

"Now we know!" exclaimed a member of the Cadets' staff.

Child's play

Before the season started, West Aurora head coach Buck Drach said wide receiver Cole Child was one of the best receiver's he has had in his long tenure on prep sidelines.

Four games into the season, the sophomore is proving Drach correct.

The 6-foot, 180-pound wideout caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in the Blackhawks' 21-7 loss to Naperville North on Friday. Through four weeks, Childs has 12 catches for 190 yards and a score.

Resilient Reapers

The Plano Reapers suffered several devastating injuries to their offensive backfield in a Week 3 loss to Manteno, but Jim Green's crew just keeps on keepin' on. Perhaps that's the true beauty of the double-wing, or Wing T, offense.

Angel Castellanos, a 5-8, 160-pound junior listed as a tight end/linebacker on the Reapers' roster, rushed 13 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns in Plano's 19-14 loss to Coal City. He even showed some speed, busting an 89-yard touchdown run. The Reapers did not allow an offensive touchdown in the loss, proving the defense remains strong as well.

Perfect starts and the road ahead

Kaneland, Marmion Academy and Sandwich all moved to 4-0 with wins Friday, putting them all in excellent position to not only win their respective conferences, but secure high seeds in IHSA playoffs. Waubonsie Valley and Aurora Christian are 3-1 and in good shape to at least become playoff eligible.

Teams with some work ahead of them include West Aurora, Oswego, Geneva, Batavia, Aurora Central Catholic, Yorkville and Plano. Each one of those programs are 2-2 with several tough conference games ahead in the next three weeks.

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