West Aurora, Oswego East, Geneva, South Elgin and Wheaton Academy are picks to click for Week 8.
East Aurora (2-5, 1-3) at West Aurora (5-2, 3-1)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The 128th meeting in the longest-running rivalry series in the state has an early start at Ormond Stadium’s Ken Zimmerman Field. The series dates to 1893 and resumed last season, with West Aurora winning 47-6 to increase its lead to 67-48-12.
The teams did not meet from 2019 through 2023 as the Blackhawks moved to the Southwest Prairie Conference. East Aurora was limited to playing within the Upstate Eight Conference.
At stake is the Century Trophy, commissioned in 1992 for the 100th year of the series that has been updated by East Aurora graduate Robert Waterman of Midwest Awards.
The Blackhawks, led by Ball State-bound senior quarterback Mason Atkins, can clinch a third straight playoff berth with a win. Junior quarterback Joseph Becker leads East Aurora.
X-factor: Jeremiah Jackson, East Aurora, junior, defensive end.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: West Aurora.
Oswego East’s Jasiah Watson (2) runs the ball to the outside against Romeoville during a Southwest Prairie Conference game in Oswego on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Oswego East (6-1, 2-1) at Oswego (5-2, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: There will be plenty on the line when these crosstown rivals meet for the 21st time in the series. At stake is the Prairie Cup Trophy. The Wolves will be looking for their third win in the series.
Oswego East is also one of four teams tied for first place in the Southwest Prairie West, one game ahead of the Panthers, who can lock up a playoff berth with a win.
The statistics say look for a defensive struggle since both teams have been stingy. Oswego has given up a league-low 67 points and the Wolves are second, allowing just 71 points. Both teams, however, have been able to put up big numbers on offense multiple times.
Senior running back Jasiah Watson has been on a tear for Oswego East.
X-factor: Mariano Velasco, Oswego, senior, defensive back/wide receiver.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Oswego East.
Oswego’s Mariano Velasco (10) hauls in a long TD pass against Yorkville late in the fourth quarter of a Southwest Prairie West game in Oswego on Friday, Sep. 26, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)
Geneva (3-4, 2-3) at Wheaton North (2-5, 1-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Safe to say the playoffs begin with this game for Geneva, which needs to close out the regular season with two victories to become playoff eligible. Five wins are likely to get them into the postseason.
Coach Boone Thorgesen and the Vikings will end the regular season at home next week against an improving St. Charles East.
Last week, Geneva dropped a 16-13 decision to Glenbard North, with junior kicker Anthony Gibson making a 31-yard field goal with 2.4 seconds remaining for the difference.
Junior quarterback Ben Peterson came through with a 35-yard touchdown run for the Vikings.
X-factor: Dane Turner, Geneva, senior, defensive back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Geneva.
Geneva’s Ben Peterson (4) throws a pass from deep in the pocket against Oswego during a nonconference game in Oswego on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Elgin (5-2, 3-1) at South Elgin (5-2, 4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both teams are looking to lock up a playoff berth with a sixth win. The Storm, who could move within a game of clinching the conference title with a win, face East Aurora next in the regular-season finale.
Which defense will step up? Elgin allows 23.8 points a game, while South Elgin checks in at 23.4.
Last week, junior running back Anthony Foster complemented an 18-year TD run with three TD catches for the Maroons in a 25-6 win over Streamwood.
Senior running back Darrion Thurman topped 200 yards rushing for the Storm in a 55-19 rout of Bartlett.
X-factor: Julius Huerta, South Elgin, sophomore, wide receiver.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: South Elgin.
Aurora Christian’s Dominic Klimpke (9) finds running room against St. Edward’s Jivonni Leix (11) in the first quarter of a Chicagoland Christian Conference game in Elgin on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Wheaton Academy (3-4, 3-2) at Aurora Christian (5-2, 3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both teams have conference losses to co-leaders Hope and Bishop McNamara. Aurora Christian could keep Wheaton Academy, which has nonconference losses to Providence and a team from Michigan, out of the playoffs by handing them a fifth loss.
The senior connection of quarterback Asa Johnson to receiver Dominic Klimpke continues to power the Eagles.
X-factor: Cole McCall, Aurora Christian, senior, safety.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Wheaton Academy.
