PREP FOOTBALL ROUND 1 PREVIEW CAPSULES

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Class 7A: Rockton Hononegah (7-2) at St. Charles East (7-2)
When: 1 p.m. today

Last playoff appearances: Both teams qualified in 2008.
About the Indians: A Wing-T team, Hononegah aims to put the ball in the hands of dual threat quarterback Chase Robinson while spreading carries between wingbacks Quai Chandler and Bryan Rothmaier and fullback Tyler Zimmerman. The Indians unquestionably feature a run-first attack but execute it well, averaging 36.6 points per game. Hononegah, which scored seven points in both of its losses (to Machesney Park Harlem and Rockford Boylan), runs a 3-3 stack on defense. Nose guard Matt Dwyer and middle linebacker Cody Eaton lead the aggressive unit.

About the Saints: East built its current seven-game winning streak on defense and a running game by committee. Quarterback Nolan Possley, who also sees time at linebacker among a glut of two-way contributors, is a threat to take off out of the shotgun when he isn’t passing or handing off to Zach Zajicek or Corey Campbell. Senior defensive linemen Jess Striedl and Jon Voytilla anchor a speedy front seven geared to get as many tacklers as possible to the ball.

Bottom line: East’s defense yields just more than 10 points per game and will look to tame another explosive offense. With first-year coach Mike Fields playing cowboy to the Indians – he was part of a Geneva staff that handled Hononegah last fall – the Saints can keep the game the way they’ve liked it lately: low-scoring and close.

Class 7A: Shepard (7-2)at Geneva (8-1)
When: 1 p.m. today

Last playoff appearances: Shepard qualified in 2001. Geneva advanced to the 7A state title game in 2008.

About the Astros: Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said he knew “next to nothing” about the Shepard program entering the week, but here’s a telling detail: the Astros lost, 32-29, to 1-8 Rich South and split their only games against playoff teams. Shepard stresses balance on offense but, like Geneva, sometimes veers more reliably toward the run. Quarterback Dontae McCoy runs out of the I-formation nearly as often as backs Rakeem Smith and Kevin Ludwig while Sean Knoerzer is a top target at wide receiver. Knoerzer also is a top linebacker for the Astros, who were 1-8 a year ago.

About the Vikings: Though the core of last year’s 13-1 team has graduated, the Vikings return several players with postseason experience in key positions, including running back/safety Michael Santacaterina, linebacker Bret Shannon and defensive tackle Frank Boenzi. The Vikings will want to shake off an up-and-down end to the regular season. The offense managed just three points through three quarters against 2-6 Batavia last week before breaking through in the final period.

Bottom line: Until Rochelle gritted out a victory in Week 7, Geneva was working on a streak of nearly three years without a loss on Burgess Field. Running behind a jelling offensive line, the Vikings will look to take control from the start and hope to remain healthy for a likely second-route date with powerful Wheaton Warrenville South.

Class 5A: Sycamore (6-3) at Kaneland (6-3)
When:  6 p.m. today

Last playoff appearances: Sycamore qualified in 2007. Kaneland was part of of the field in 2008.
About the Spartans: Sycamore’s offense will look a little different than the unit that just fell short against the Knights, 21-14, in Week 4 at Sycamore. Senior running back Marckie Hayes collected 87 yards in the Western Sun Conference game while quarterback Ryan Bartels ran for two scores, but Hayes since has grown accustomed to running for 87 yards in a half while Bartels will miss the playoff opener with disciplinary issues. The Spartans allowed the fewest points in the WSC (113) and feature a pair of defensive backs poised to slow Kaneland’s spread attack in Victor Bundy and Eric Ray.

About the Knights: The defense inched closer in prestige to quarterback Joe Camiliere and the offense this fall, setting the tone with a season-opening shutout of Burlington Central. Linemen Eric Dratnol and Jimmy Boyle and linebacker Brett Ketza are part of a unit that has taken pride in equalizing the team’s identity. Camiliere, a junior in his second season under center, gets lots of receivers involved – including Ryley Bailey and Blake Serpa – but could use a complement in the running game.

Bottom line: Mother Nature might also have a hand in grounding the Knights if the rainy forecast holds out. Though the Kaneland defense yielded just 114 points in the regular season, the Knights could be left in the cold with a suspect running game that rarely found its niche in the first nine weeks.

Class 5A: Montini (5-4) at St. Francis (7-2) (at West Chicago)
When:  2 p.m. today

Last playoff appearances: Both teams qualified last season, with the Spartans capturing the 5A state title.

About the Broncos: Montini lost, 51-31, to the visiting Spartans in Week 4 as quarterback Brandon Pechloff and Co. were unable to overcome a shaky start that included three interceptions and a lost fumble.

About the Spartans: St. Francis owns the recent postseason edge, eliminating the conference rival Broncos in last year’s quarterfinals to avenge its lone loss. Fullback Bob Miller and the running game appreciate the move to a turf field.

Bottom line: Running back/safety Tony Vargyas enjoyed a breakthrough on both sides during the regular season meeting, and should play a key role again for the Spartans.

Class 3A: Aurora Christian (6-3) at Winnebago (7-2)
When: 1 p.m. today

Last playoff appearances: Aurora Christian advanced to the 4A state title game last season. Winnebago qualified in 2007.

About the Eagles: The spread offense still garners the spotlight here, with quarterback Grayson Roberts stepping in for record-setting brother Jordan. Another pair of siblings – running back John Magee and receiver Sheldon Magee – stand at Roberts’ disposal.

About the Indians: Winnebago wants to be aggressive on defense, using defensive end A.J. Thomas and linebackers Kolton Kuczynski and Michael Sojka to slow the speedy Eagles. The Indians’ run-first offense contrasts to Aurora Christian’s wide-open spread.

Bottom line: Playing down one class from its title game run last year, the Eagles could find themselves with a rare size advantage up front this postseason.

Class 1A: Mooseheart (5-4) at Dakota (9-0)
When: 1 p.m. today

Last playoff appearances: Mooseheart qualified in 2007; Dakota qualified in 2008.

Bottom line: The Indians have shuffled between Class 2A and 1A this decade but went unbeaten to win 2A titles in 2005 and 2007.
 

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