Week 2 football previews

Updated: September 2, 2011 12:00PM

Providence (1-0) at Minooka (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Two area teams with something to prove clash in this attractive match-up. Although Providence got off on the right foot with a 21-6 win over Morgan Park, the Celtics still want to erase any lingering memories of their 2-7 season of 2010 plus build momentum heading toward Chicago Catholic Blue play. Minooka is smarting from last week’s mistake-ridden 27-21 loss at Morris. The Indians could be among contenders for the Southwest Prairie Conference title, and they do not want to enter league play already 0-2. Keys will be which side makes fewer mistakes and which can run the ball consistently against the other’s defense.

Plainfield North (1-0) at Lockport (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Two area teams that may be stronger than billed get together for the first time, and the scoreboard likely will be spinning. Plainfield North gained nearly 400 total yards last week in beating Bradley 36-20. Junior QB Kurt Palandech hit 9-of-14 passes for 124 yards and a TD in his first varsity start, TB Jay Roberts rushed for 198 yards and WR Quest Young caught five passes for 93 and a score. Lockport trumped Downers Grove North 33-21 in coach Don McKillip’s debut. RB Dexter Taylor rushed 12 times for 142 yards and three TDs and the Porters’ defense and special teams chipped in with big plays.

Romeoville (0-1) at Joliet Central (0-1)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday

The rundown: Although Romeoville suffered a tough 22-20 loss last week to Hinsdale South, RB Perez Ford rushed for 162 yards in 25 carries. Joliet Central fell behind Lincoln-Way West 40-0 at half and lost 40-8. The Steelmen must contend with Ford defensively and win the ball-control battle. The Week 1 game at Central was the first varsity contest ever on campus for the Steelmen. If you were not able to attend the debut, this is another opportunity to see high school football in a fan-friendly setting. For those still wondering, the field is a couple of city blocks due east of the Central school building.

Plainfield South (0-1) at Joliet West (0-1)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday

The rundown: Two teams eager to get into the win column square off in West’s home opener. South won the match-up 41-0 in 2010 en route to a 9-2 season. The Cougars are searching for their first victory under coach Ken Bublitz, who took over when Mike Briscoe retired. South unveiled another weapon in its arsenal in last week’s 40-16 loss to Bolingbrook as basketball standout/WR Ed Presniakovas caught a 51-yard pass from QB Austin Howarth that set up an early field goal. West had a few red-zone opportunities it could not convert and allowed 215 yards to touted RB Caz Zyks in last week’s 21-6 loss to Jacobs.

Joliet Catholic (1-0) at Notre Dame (0-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Joliet Catholic pulled out an incredible 32-31 win over Carmel last week and now must come back down to earth against East Suburban Catholic foe Notre Dame, which lost to Marist 35-21. Junior WB Ty Isaac and K Isaac Grashoff were heroes in the final minute for Joliet Catholic vs. Carmel. The Hilltoppers are ranked No. 1 in Joliet area and are No. 5 in the Chicago area by the Sun-Times.

Plainfield Central (1-0) at St. Charles N. (0-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Plainfield Central trampled Amundsen 41-15 last week as RB Jordan Ellingwood rushed for 104 yards and three TDs. But St. Charles North, a 27-26 loser in overtime to Hinsdale Central last week, will be a much more formidable foe. Central LB Nana Aikins delivered a grand-slam play against Amundsen — sack, forced fumble, recovery and 38-yard TD run with the recovery.

Batavia (1-0) at Plainfield East (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Plainfield East started slowly against Metea Valley, trailing 31-13 at halftime, and dropped a 38-26 decision last week. East WR Myles Walters returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD and caught five passes for 87 yards and a score. Batavia whipped Marmion 36-7.

Morris (1-0) at Richards (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Opportunistic Morris scored a huge 27-21 victory over Grundy County rival Minooka last week, and the Redskins jump right back into the fire against Richards, which beat Harlan 28-6. Morris, ranked fourth in the Joliet area, forced five turnovers against Minooka and used two long returns to help seal the deal.

Thornridge (0-1) at Lincoln-Way Central (0-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Coming off a 1-8 season in 2010, Lincoln-Way Central showed promise in last week’s 26-18 loss to Lincoln-Way North. The Knights trailed 19-0 but scored 18 straight points to make it interesting. Thornridge opened with a 41-6 loss to Crystal Lake South.

Dunbar (0-1) at Lincoln-Way East (1-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Dunbar’s defense was a no-show in a 58-34 season-opening loss to Vernon Hills, and Lincoln-Way East’s offense was in midseason form as the Griffins buried Edwardsville 45-14. The Griffins, ranked second in this area and eighth by the Sun-Times in the Chicago area, figure to keep the scoreboard operator busy in this one.

Crete-Monee (1-0) at Lincoln-Way West (1-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Crete-Monee, which beat T.F. South 32-8 last week, is ranked 15th in the Chicago area by the Sun-Times, so Lincoln-Way West will have its hands full in its home opener. The Warriors, with linebacker Gus Mendez scoring on returns of B.J. Bello’s blocked punt and a fumble and QB Kyle Millner throwing three TD passes, led 40-0 at halftime and won 40-8 at Joliet Central last week.

Bolingbrook (1-0) at Belleville East (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Bolingbrook’s offense was on fire in last week’s 40-16 victory at Plainfield South. Behind junior QB Aaron Bailey, the Raiders, ranked third in the Joliet area and up to 18th in the Chicago area by the Sun-Times, piled up 536 total yards. Belleville East, a 35-7 winner over Hazelwood, Mo., last week, visited Bolingbrook last season and whipped the Raiders 31-8.

Lemont (1-0) at Riverside-Brookfield (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Lemont’s game last weekend against Little Village came out about as expected, a 54-0 Indians victory. Riverside-Brookfield opened with a 20-14 loss to Wheaton St. Francis. The Indians, ranked fifth in the Joliet area, expect much more of a challenge in this one.

Around the Interstate Eight

The rundown: The Interstate Eight Large cleaned up on the Interstate Eight Small in last week’s crossovers. One was Manteno’s 14-11 win at Wilmington, where the Wildcats seldom lose. Peotone opened with a 40-0 win over Reed-Custer, so the Wilmington at Peotone game Friday night becomes interesting. Elsewhere, the Friday lineup includes Lisle at Coal City, Reed-Custer at Herscher, Seneca at Plano and Dwight at Sandwich.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.