Week 3: Prep football preview capsules

Northeastern Athletic

Conference

Alden-Hebron (2-0, 2-0) at Chicago Hope (2-0, 2-0)

When: 7 p.m. today

About the Giants: A-H defeated Kirkland Hiawatha, 10-7, on Saturday, despite gaining only 100 yards of total offense. The defense limited Hiawatha to 132 yards and produced two turnovers.

About the Eagles: Hope was 8-2 last season and started the year with a 20-14 overtime victory against Hiawatha.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Hope 21, Alden-Hebron 20

Suburban Christian

Conference Blue Division

Aurora Cen. Catholic (0-2) at Marian Central (1-1)

When: 7 p.m. today

About the Chargers: ACC has lost 12 consecutive games and has been outscored 58-10 this season.

About the Hurricanes: Marian had a rough time with Cary-Grove last week, but has a potent running game with RBs Corey Cavitt and Jared Koch. This is both teams’ first division game.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Marian Central 31, ACC 7

Non-conference

Stillman Valley (2-0) at Richmond-Burton (2-0)

When: 7 p.m. today

About the Cardinals: Stillman Valley is ranked No. 4 in The Associated Press Class 3A poll after beating Spring Valley Hall, 42-0, and St. Joseph-Ogden, 42-27.

About the Rockets: R-B leads the area in offense with 396 yards a game. The Rockets’ Kenny Riordan (245) and Chad O’Kane (243) are second and third in area rushing yards.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Richmond-Burton 17, Stillman Valley 14

Oregon (0-2)

at Hampshire (0-2)

When: 7 p.m. today

About the Hawks: Oregon suffered lopsided losses in its first two games to Richmond-Burton, 35-7, and Sherrard, 33-7.

About the Whip-Purs: Hampshire has scored only one touchdown in its first two games.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Oregon 21, Hampshire 7

Genoa-Kingston (2-0)

at Harvard (1-1)

When: 7 p.m. today

About the Cogs: G-K hasn’t allowed a point in its two games, victories against Aurora Central Catholic, 44-0, and Iroquois West Co-op, 41-0.

About the Hornets: RB Vince Gabrys leads Harvard with 135 yards rushing in two games. The Hornets defeated Lakes, 21-14, last week.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Genoa-Kingston 28, Harvard 14

Winnebago (2-0)

at Marengo (2-0)

When: 7 p.m. today

About Winnebago: Winnebago is 2-0 after victories against Canton, 42-7, and Hampshire, 10-0.

About Marengo: The Indians are 2-0 for the first time since 2004 after wins against Chicago Christian, 20-0, and Aurora Central Catholic,
14-10. RB Bobby Gaines is fourth in the area with 215 yards rushing.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Winnebago 14, Marengo 7

Dundee-Crown (1-1)

at Johnsburg (2-0)

When: 7 p.m. today

About the Chargers: D-C sophomore QB Tanner Kotlan has completed 27 of 49 passes (55.1 percent) for 398 yards and three touchdowns.

About the Skyhawks: Johnsburg RB Justin Peete scored the last four touchdowns last week in a 42-28 win at Jacobs. QB George Bielis has completed 19 of 31 passes for 364 yards, fourth in the area.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Johnsburg 34, Dundee-Crown 14

Cary-Grove (2-0)

at Woodstock (1-1)

When: 7:15 p.m. today

About the Trojans: C-G is ranked No. 3 in the AP’s Class 6A poll and has defeated its opponents by a combined score of 87-0. RB Alex Hembrey leads area players with 250 yards rushing.

About the Blue Streaks: Woodstock WR Mike Kremske tops the area list with 11 receptions for 194 yards. QB Logan Kunzie leads the area in passing yards with 464.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Cary-Grove 42, Woodstock 0

Grayslake Central (1-1) at CL South (2-0)

When: 7:15 p.m. today

About the Rams: Grayslake Central’s defense looks much improved this season. The Rams gave up 363 points last year but shut out Woodstock North, 27-0, last week and lost to Johnsburg, 12-7, in the opener. The last shutout for the Rams came in a 3-0 victory against Cary-Grove in the 2002 season opener.

About the Gators: South is ranked No. 7 in Class 7A and has outscored its opponents, 64-7. The Gators’ defense has limited opponents to 65.5 yards a game.

Lester Johnson’s pick: CL South 37, Grayslake Central 0

Woodstock North (0-2) at Huntley (2-0)

When: 7:15 p.m. today

About the Thunder: North is playing its first season as a varsity program and opened with losses to the two Grays-lake schools.

About the Red Raiders: Huntley moved into the Class 7A rankings this week at
No. 10. RB Brett Kleckner (144 yards) leads the way for the Raiders, who have won two games by a total of seven points.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Huntley 36, Woodstock
North 7

Prairie Ridge (1-1)

at Jacobs (1-1)

When: 7:15 p.m. today

About the Wolves: Prairie Ridge lost to Crystal Lake Central, 35-14, last week. FB Tim Deering is sixth among area runners with 170 yards.

About the Golden Eagles: FB Ben Albano is fifth in the area with 187 yards rushing. RB Dale Cook has 142 yards. Jacobs is coming off a 42-28 loss to Johnsburg.

Lester Johnson’s pick: Prairie Ridge 31, Jacobs 21

Elgin (0-2)

at CL Central (1-1)

When: 7:15 p.m. today

About the Maroons: Elgin lost to Dundee-Crown. 19-18, in overtime, then to West Aurora, 28-6.

About the Tigers: Central got on track last week with a 35-14 win against Prairie Ridge. RB Gage Harrah had a big game with 162 of his 169 rushing yards for the season.

Lester Johnson’s pick: CL Central 28, Elgin 7

McHenry (0-2)

at Grayslake North (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. today

About the Warriors: McHenry QB Thomas Rose has completed 43 of 65 passes (66.1 percent) and is third in the area with 395 yards.

About the Knights: North split with the Woodstock schools in the first two weeks.

Lester Johnson’s pick: McHenry 21, Grayslake North 7

– Joe Stevenson

jstevenson@nwherald.com