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Wheaton North (2-3, 0-3) at Wheaton Warrenville South (3-2, 1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: WW South beat Wheaton North 10-3 last year at WW South.
About Wheaton North: It's been tough sledding for the Falcons since they flipped over to DuKane Conference play, losers of three straight games. Junior receiver Ben Bonga has been a playmaker for Wheaton North and a favorite target of sophomore quarterback Mark Forcucci. Northwestern recruit Xander Mueller keys the defense.
About WW South: The Tigers face a bit of a gut-check game, after a rough loss to Batavia last Saturday. Turnovers have plagued them lately; WW South committed four last week, and threw three interceptions in a loss to St. Charles East before that. Parker Brown threw for 242 yards and Kaleb Clousing had 108 receiving yards against Batavia.
Friday Night Drive pick: WW South.
Montini (4-1, 1-0) at Notre Dame (5-0, 1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: First known meeting.
About Montini: The Broncos, ranked No. 2 in Class 5A, are proving to be quite the second-half team. Last week, they scored three late touchdowns to rally past St. Viator 33-14. The week before, they scored the last 28 points against St. Rita. Deontay Bell ran for 196 yards and three touchdowns and C.J. Bufkin 150. It would behoove them to start better as the competition stiffens on the road.
About Notre Dame: The Dons, a Class 6A state semifinalist last year, are ranked No. 5 in the latest Class 8A AP poll. Junior cornerback/receiver Nick Giamarusti is a two-way standout for Notre Dame, who already own wins over Marist and Providence. Junior quarterback Anthony Sayles is a top 10 basketball prospect in Illinois' junior class.
FND pick: Notre Dame.
Willowbrook (4-1, 3-0) at Hinsdale South (3-2, 2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Willowbrook beat Hinsdale South 20-10 last year in Villa Park.
About Willowbrook: The Warriors can all but wrap up their third straight West Suburban Gold title with a win. Sam Tumilty and the Willowbrook offense is starting to pick up steam, averaging 38.7 points in three league games. Tumilty ran for three TDs against Addison Trail, and threw for one to Everett Stubblefield III.
About Hinsdale South: The Hornets come in off an emotional high, Marquese Garrett's 50-yard TD pass to Jaylon Smith in the final minute to stun Downers Grove South. Smith is a dynamic two-way threat at receiver/defensive back. Garrett, like Tumilty, can make plays with his arm and feet.
FND pick: Willowbrook.
Hinsdale Central (5-0, 2-0) at York (3-2, 2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Hinsdale Central beat York 35-13 last year in Hinsdale.
About Hinsdale Central: The Red Devils are up to No. 3 in the latest Class 8A AP poll. Michael Brescia threw for three TDs and Nick Franko made big plays late in last week's 35-26 win over Downers Grove North. Colgate commit Owen Goss is a man to watch on the back line of the Hinsdale defense.
About York: A tough three-game stretch continues for the Dukes, who lost 47-7 last week at Glenbard West and are at Willowbrook in Week 7. Owen Pechous has been a playmaker for junior quarterback Max Assaad.
FND pick: Hinsdale Central.
Aurora Central Catholic (1-4, 0-2) at IC Catholic Prep (5-0, 3-0)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: IC Catholic beat Aurora Central Catholic 59-0 last year in Aurora.
About IC Catholic: Knights' junior running back Kyle Franklin had his first huge breakout game of the season in a 35-3 win over Aurora Christian, going for 241 yards and three TDs. Danny Cronin threw for two TDs. Kevin Cooke, with a whopping 66 tackle, anchors the defense.
About ACC: It's been a tough season for the Chargers, a program fielding only a varsity team with several freshmen. ACC is giving up 37.4 points per game.
FND pick: IC Catholic.
Lyons (2-3) at Leyden (1-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Leyden beat Lyons 31-3 last year in LaGrange.
About Leyden: The Eagles come in off a heartbreaking 25-20 loss to Proviso East, losing on a 48-yard TD pass in the game's final minute. Jim Lonigro leads the Leyden offense.
About Lyons: The Lions' busted out in a big way last week in a 48-0 win over Proviso West. Sophomore quarterback Joey Antonietti threw for two TDs and Lyons had three pick-sixes. With three finishing games against teams with winning records, two of them unbeatens, a win here would be ideal.
FND pick: Lyons.
DeLaSalle (3-2, 0-1) at Nazareth (4-1, 1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Nazareth beat DeLaSalle 28-0 in 2017 in LaGrange Park.
About Nazareth: J.J. McCarthy and the Roadrunners' offense is starting to roll, topping 50 points in each of the last two weeks. The defense, meanwhile, has allowed just 42 points during a four-game win streak. Incredibly, this is Nazareth's last regular-season home game. The last three games are a bear, at Marist, Notre Dame and Benet.
About De La Salle: The Meteors got back on track last week, snapping a two-game skid with a 43-12 win over St. Joseph. De La Salle has struggled mightily to score in its two losses with a total of seven points against Marmion and Benet.
FND pick: Nazareth.
St. Francis (4-1, 2-0) at Aurora Christian (3-2, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: St. Francis beat Aurora Christian 28-20 last year.
About the Spartans: Any conversation about the offense has to begin with the play of quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, who has thrown for 17 touchdowns with just one interception on the season. The Spartans average 219 receiving yards and are coming off a massive win over Bishop McNamara last week, a game in which Rittenhouse threw for five TDs and the game-winner with a minute left.
About the Eagles: This could have the makings of a track meet. The Eagles posted scores of 63, 53 and 66 the first three weeks of the season. The Eagles ran into a tough IC Catholic team last week, but this game could see some offensive fireworks. Junior quarterback Ethan Hampton is one to watch.
FND pick: St. Francis
Proviso East (3-2, 2-1) at Morton (0-5, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Proviso East beat Morton 32-21 last year in Maywood.
About Morton: It's been a tough season so far for the Mustangs, which came in with potential playoff hopes. Morton gave up 49 points last week to Oak Park, but the struggles have started offensively. Morton has scored a combined 19 points the last four weeks.
About Proviso East: The Pirates, coming off a thrilling 25-20 win over Leyden, already have won the program's most games since 2008. They have a realistic shot at a playoff berth, which would be the first since that 2008 team and only the third in the history of the school known more for its basketball excellence.
FND pick: Proviso East.
Ridgewood (2-3) at Riverside-Brookfield (4-1)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Riverside-Brookfield beat Ridgewood 14-3 last year in Norridge.
About Ridgewood: The Rebels' struggles can be traced back to their defense. Ridgewood has given up 44.7 points per game in its three losses, 46-14 last week to Chicago Christian.
About Riverside-Brookfield: The Bulldogs, already enjoying a nice bounce-back season from a 2-7 2018, can become playoff eligible with a win. They might want to do it here, because R-B's last three opponents have a combined 12-3 record.
FND pick: Riverside-Brookfield.
Benet (5-0, 1-0) at St. Laurence (3-2, 0-1)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Benet beat St. Laurence 27-10 last year in Burbank.
About Benet: The Redwings, 6-0 for the first time since 2013, are up to No. 9 in the Class 7A AP poll. Colin Gillespie threw three TDs in the first half last week against Marian Catholic. The next four weeks are quite a gauntlet for Benet.
About St. Laurence: The Vikings snapped a two-game losing streak in resounding fashion, a 48-0 win over DePaul Prep. Quarterback Darius Wilson ran and threw for a TD in the win. St. Laurence's next three games – Benet, then at Brother Rice and Providence – are daunting, and hold the keys to a playoff bid.
FND pick: Benet.
Glenbard West (5-0, 2-0) at Downers Grove North (3-2, 1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Glenbard West beat Downers Grove North 35-14 last year in Glen Ellyn.
About Glenbard West: The Hilltoppers, third in the Class 7A AP poll, have looked unstoppable through five weeks, averaging over 50 points per game. Glenbard West's deep backfield continues with impress. Jalen Moore, Joey Richmond, Samson Zander and Nic Seifert led a 384-yard effort on the ground against York.
About Downers Grove North: The Trojans put up a good fight last week in losing the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry game to Hinsdale Central 35-26. Unfortunately for them, it doesn't get any easier this week. Downers Grove North needs to control the clock with Drew Cassens running the ball to keep Glenbard West's potent offense off the field.
FND pick: Glenbard West.
Downers Grove South (2-3, 1-2) at Addison Trail (0-5, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Downers Grove South beat Addison Trail 29-26 last year in Downers Grove.
About Downers Grove South: The Mustangs need to regroup after a stunning loss to Hinsdale South in the final minute. They seem to have the right opponent to do so this week in the struggling Blazers. Jayden Lambert continues to be Downers Grove South's playmaker to watch, with two long rushing TDs last week. The Mustangs' next three opponents have a combined 1-14 record, so a run to a playoff bid looks very possible.
About Addison Trail: It's been a tough go of it this season for the Blazers, which lost to Willowbrook 42-12 last week. Addison Trail has given up over 40 points in each of its losses.
FND pick: Downers Grove South.
Westmont (1-4, 0-2) at Guerin (1-4, 0-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: First known meeting.
About Westmont: The Sentinels have had tough sledding, dropping four straight games since a season-opening win. Westmont's defense held firm in a 13-0 loss to Elmwood Park, but the offense has had its share of struggles
About Guerin: Guerin will have a short week, after a 56-0 loss to St. Edward Monday night in a game originally scheduled for last Friday. Guerin gained just 51 yards in the loss, and like Westmont has dropped four straight games.
FND pick: Westmont.
Tinley Park (2-3, 1-1) at Lemont (4-1, 3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Lemont beat Tinley Park 10-3 last year in Tinley Park.
About Lemont: The Indians have completely put a Week 1 loss to St. Charles East behind them with four straight dominant wins, the last a 57-22 rout of T.F. North. Lemont's stretch run could provide a better barometer as the schedule stiffens – the last three opponents hold a combined 12-3 record.
About Tinley Park: The Titans have shown the ability to score, averaging 36 points through five games. Stopping people has been another story. Three opponents have topped 30 points, which isn't a good harbinger going against Lemont.
FND pick: Lemont.
Fenton (2-3, 2-3) at Glenbard South (4-1, 4-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Glenbard South beat Fenton 24-20 in 2017 in Glen Ellyn.
About Glenbard South: The Raiders pulled out a 12-6 win last week against Larkin on Nick Plaso's second TD run in the game's waning moments. Three of Glenbard South's four wins have come by single digits.
About Fenton: The Bison come in losers of three straight games, the last 48-22 at Bartlett. It's a tough three-game stretch with Glenbard East, Bartlett and Glenbard South.
FND pick: Glenbard South.
East Aurora (2-3, 2-3) at Glenbard East (4-1, 4-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Glenbard East beat East Aurora 42-8 last year in Aurora.
About Glenbard East: The Rams saw their 15-game regular season winning streak end with a thud last week, a 35-7 loss to unbeaten South Elgin. Deon Cook continues to be Glenbard East's big-play threat with 555 receiving yards and five TDs. With a win the Rams can become playoff eligible. The program has never made the playoffs in back-to-back years.
About East Aurora: The Tomcats have won two of their last three games, 19-6 last week over Streamwood, and have already matched last year's win total for second-year coach Nick Kukuc. East Aurora hasn't won more than two games since the 2000 team went 5-4.
FND pick: Glenbard East.