Prep Zone: Budmayr is likely out vs. Montini

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The return Marian Central football fans have anticipated for the past month might be put on hold for one more week.

Hurricanes coach Ed Brucker said quarterback Jon Budmayr is more likely to see action next week when Marian hosts Driscoll rather than this Friday when the ’Canes host Montini.

Budmayr suffered a badly strained left hamstring Sept. 8 at Immaculate Conception and has missed the three games since. With Andy Stochl at quarterback, the Hurricanes (6-0 overall, 4-0 Suburban Catholic Conference) have remained atop The Associated Press’ Class 5A state rankings. Montini, which also is unbeaten, is No. 2.

“He’s closer, but he hasn’t run that much yet,” Brucker said. “I don’t want to bring him back too early and not have him at all.”

Budmayr began running Monday and tried to hold out hope he might play Friday.

“There’s not so much [pain],” Budmayr said. “My therapist has done a great job with the ultrasound and deep massages. I just have to stay positive.”

Budmayr has been throwing after practice to maintain his arm strength. He led the area in passing yardage last season as the ’Canes (13-1) were Class 5A state runners-up.

As important as the next two weeks are in the SCC race, Marian needs Budmayr ready for another potential deep playoff run.

“We’re hoping he’ll get some series in against Driscoll [next week], then we can play him against St. Francis [in Week 9],” Brucker said.

Fun in the Valley: Jacobs’ football upset of Crystal Lake South last week could make for an even more interesting finish in the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division’s final three weeks.

Cary-Grove visits McHenry on Friday in a battle of the two remaining unbeatens in the division. The Trojans, who  have won FVC or FVC Valley titles in the last three seasons, then travel to South next week.

McHenry has Jacobs and South remaining on its schedule after Friday.

South plays Friday at Dundee-Crown, then gets C-G and McHenry at home to finish.

It would not be surprising at this point to have co-champs or even tri-champs.

A team with sting: Two weeks ago the Big Northern Conference East Division looked like a four-team race in football with Burlington Central, Hampshire, Harvard and Richmond-Burton.

Harvard has established itself as the team to beat with wins against R-B and Hampshire. The Hornets run the ball well with James Matteson and Jimmy Cradic and have played outstanding defense. The Week 9 game with the Hornets hosting Burlington likely will decide the BNC East champion.

• Joe Stevenson covers high school sports for the Northwest Herald. He can be reached at 815-526-4513. He also can be reached by fax at 815-459-5640 or by e-mail at jstevenson@nwherald.com.