Batavia, St. Charles North, Sycamore, Yorkville and Burlington Central are picks to click for Week 6.
Batavia (3-2, 2-1) at Geneva (3-2, 2-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: It’s rivalry week for DuKane Conference teams. Geneva prevailed 30-7 last season, snapping Batavia’s 13-game winning streak in a series that dates back to 1913. The Vikings hold a 52-49-5 record in 106 meetings.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 43-42 loss to St. Charles North, which won on a touchdown pass and 2-point conversion pass with :01 left to seal the win. Both of their losses have come on the final play. Michael Vander Luitgaren threw for a season-high 302 yards and four TDs.
Junior quarterback Ben Peterson engineered Geneva’s 35-17 win over Lake Park, throwing for three TDs, running for one and catching a pass from junior receiver Bennett Konkey for a fifth TD.
X-factor: Jack Brown, Batavia, junior, linebacker/fullback.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Batavia.
Geneva’s Bennett Konkey (8) catches a screen pass against Oswego during a nonconference game in Oswego on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
St. Charles North (5-0, 3-0) at St. Charles East (1-4, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: It’s a homecoming of sorts for senior quarterback JT Padron, who transferred from St. Charles East. Padron led the North Stars in last week’s thrilling comeback against Batavia, boosting them into sole possession of first place in the DuKane Conference.
Northwestern recruit Keaton Reinke leads St. Charles North in receptions with 34. Senior linebacker Wyatt Brandt paces the defense with 53 tackles.
The Saints will turn again to sophomore quarterback Cruz Herrera in looking to snap a five-game losing streak in the series. Herrera connected with senior receivers Sheko Gjokaj Jr. and Gavin Matejko in last week’s 24-20 win over Wheaton North, breaking an eight-game losing streak.
X-factor: EJ Mondesir, St. Charles North, senior, wide receiver.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: St. Charles North.
St. Charles North’s Tommy Vendl (25) celebrates his TD with Axel Anderson (77) against Batavia during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Kaneland (4-1, 1-1) at Sycamore (3-2, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Knights lost senior quarterback Jalen Carter to injury after the first series of last week’s 42-21 loss to Morris and then senior linebacker Jack Parker in the second half.
Both are expected to return before the season ends but are questionable for this week’s game against the defending Interstate Eight Conference champions.
Sophomore quarterback Brody Guthrie filled in last week with a pair of TD throws to Colton VanDyke. Senior running back Carter Grabowski has rushed for 554 yards.
X-factor: Brady Brown, Kaneland, senior, wide receiver.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Sycamore.
Yorkville’s AJ Divito (9) celebrates with teammate Jayden Ruth (4) after scoring a long TD against Oswego during a Southwest Prairie West game in Oswego on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)
Plainfield South (1-4, 1-1) at Yorkville (5-0, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Foxes appear to be heavily favored in a Southwest Prairie Conference crossover but won’t take the Cougars lightly, not after losing 3-0 in last year’s season opener.
Yorkville went on to finish 4-5, missing the playoffs by one game. The players feel that loss cost them a playoff berth.
Senior quarterback Jack Beetham is much improved with eight TDs and no interceptions this season. Taking care of the ball has helped the Foxes fare well in close games.
Senior running back TJ Harland has rushed for 453 yards, already topping last year’s total of 348.
X-factor: Caleb Viscogliosi, Yorkville, senior, linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Yorkville.
Burlington Central’s Parker Auxier (22) makes a tackle against Geneva during a Class 6A second-round playoff game in Geneva on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2024. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Burlington Central (4-1, 4-1) at McHenry (2-3, 2-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Rockets aim at becoming playoff eligible this week, seeking a second straight berth.
Last week, senior quarterback Theo Curtin started his second game of the season in a 40-14 win over Hampshire as senior quarterback Landon Arnold battled an illness. Curtin also started a 10-7 win over Cary-Grove in Week 2, with Arnold dealing with a minor injury.
Coach Brian Iossi confirmed that Arnold would have started the game had it been the playoffs but decided to hold him out.
Senior running back Tyler McGladdery was the headliner against Hampshire with 113 yards and two TDs on 12 carries.
Iossi continues to employ a committee of running backs behind a talented, deep offensive line.
X-factor: Parker Auxier, Burlington Central, junior, defensive back/running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Burlington Central.
