West Aurora, Burlington Central, Marmion, Yorkville and East Aurora are the picks to clicks for Week 4.
South Elgin (1-2) at West Aurora (2-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Matchup breakdown: The biggest challenge to the defending champion Blackhawks’ supremacy in the Upstate Eight West? Just maybe.
Junior quarterback Carter McDonald, senior running back Darrion Thurman and 6-foot-6 senior tight end Gavin Mueller, a Colorado recruit, will give West Aurora’s defense plenty to think about. Thurman rushed for over 1,000 yards last year.
The Storm’s defense will be in a similar position against junior running back Bryce Riley, who leads West Aurora with 358 all-purpose yards in three games, and senior running back Lesroy Tittle, who has totaled 246 all-purpose yards in just two games.
The linebacker trio of junior Darius Stewart and seniors Kellen Younie and Will Gray lead West Aurora’s defense with 20, 19 and 17 tackles, respectively.
X-factor: Jayden Garcia, West Aurora, senior, defensive back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: West Aurora.
South Elgin’s Gavin Mueller (1) gets open against Batavia during a nonconference game in South Elgin on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Prairie Ridge (3-0) at Burlington Central (3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Something has to give as a pair of unbeatens battle in this showdown between two of the three Fox Valley Conference co-leaders with Huntley (3-0, 3-0).
Last season, the Rockets won this matchup 52-21, their first in the five times the teams have met.
Both quarterbacks — Prairie Ridge’s Luke Vanderwiel and Burlington Central’s Landon Arnold — are capable of putting up big numbers running the ball.
Could the arm of first-year starter Arnold be the key for a second straight win in the series for the Rockets?
X-factor: Liam Schultz, Burlington Central, junior, linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Burlington Central.
Burlington Central’s Landon Arnold (18) runs to the sideline against Hampshire during the fourth quarter of a Fox Valley Conference game in Burlington on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
De La Salle (0-3) at Marmion (2-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Cadets were young to begin even before Samuel Ramirez, a two-way starter on the lines, was lost for the season due to a broken leg in the opener. It leaves Marmion with just six of 22 starting spots manned by seniors.
Even so, the Cadets rate as strong favorites to repeat as CCL/ESCC Red champs.
Sophomore quarterback Roy Magana Jr., has thrown five touchdown passes, plus running for one, with just one interception. Junior running back Henry Miller provides a nice complement with 35 carries for 355 yards and four TDs.
Senior middle linebacker Vinnie Testa paces the Marmion defense with 35 tackles.
X-factor: Colin McEniry, Marmion, junior, wide receiver.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Marmion.
Yorkville (3-0) at Plainfield East (3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: For the Foxes, senior quarterback Jack Beetham has completed 57% of his passes (34 of 60) for 552 yards and five TDs without an interception. Taking care of the ball has been important for Yorkville with a pair of close wins already in hand.
Beetham has spread the ball around with 10 catches to senior running back/receiver TJ Harland, followed by junior receiver Joel Castillo with eight catches for 181 yards and senior receiver A.J. Divito with eight catches for 150 yards.
Yorkville coach Dan McGuire expects his defense to be tested in the skill positions by the Bengals, who tout a pair of senior speedsters in receiver Joe Owusu and running back David Croom. They’re both capable of turning a missed tackle into a TD.
Plainfield East has outscored opponents by a combined 165-8, but those foes are a combined 1-8.
X-factor: Jayden Ruth, Yorkville, sophomore, defensive back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Yorkville.
Larkin (0-3) at East Aurora (1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Junior quarterback Joseph Becker and East Aurora, looking to get back to the .500 mark, will try to rebound on offense against a Larkin defense that has given up 160 points in three games.
East Aurora coach Nick Kukuc said junior defensive end Jeremiah Jackson “moves like a running back,” and Jackson will try to help keep Larkin’s attack under wraps.
Senior quarterback Julius Yandell Jr. and 6-2 senior wide receiver Aden Mora have both received recruiting interest for the Royals despite a struggling offense.
X-factor: Jonathan Ortiz, East Aurora, junior, fullback/linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: East Aurora.
