WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:05.040 Hello everybody, and welcome back to the Western Suburbs or 2 00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:09.000 Friday Night Drive Western Suburbs Podcasts. This is Josh Welge. 3 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:15.560 I'm here with Joe Bennett's Joel. It's July seventeenth. We're 4 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:18.079 taking this on a Thursday afternoon. It's I believe if 5 00:00:18.199 --> 00:00:21.280 Edgie Tim is accurate, it's forty three days until the 6 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:24.800 first football Friday. He counts it down. We're about six 7 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:28.199 weeks away. How are you feeling. We're getting pretty close. 8 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.679 Yeah, I mean it's it's feeling a lot more like 9 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:35.479 football season. I mean we're seeing a lot of seven 10 00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:38.560 on seven's happening. I mean, you know, last week I 11 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:41.039 was at Battle of the Big Butts obviously one of 12 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:44.719 the bigger seven on seven events that happens here in Illinois. 13 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:48.280 So it's really feeling like, you know, football season is 14 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:51.280 really coming alive now. 15 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:55.960 So yeah, really times we can only hope that this 16 00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:58.240 season will be as exciting as last season that ended 17 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:00.920 with you know, I think we had local teams and 18 00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:03.159 in every every game of the last day of the 19 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:06.040 season last year, So hopefully it'll be just like that. 20 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:08.359 And uh, you know, it's I know it's in July 21 00:01:08.599 --> 00:01:11.799 but UH, we're kind of reaching a point in the 22 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:14.599 counter that becomes kind of a you know, where it 23 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:16.920 starts to get a little bit realistic that season's coming. 24 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:21.959 The the I just say releases the the official schedule 25 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:28.040 for for football UH on on Friday, UH and US 26 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:29.959 at Friday Night Drive. We are gonna have wall to 27 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.799 wall coverage on that. We're gonna have week by week 28 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:37.120 UH breakdowns for every market that we cover of the 29 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:40.159 games that we're looking forward to. Steve Susie has a 30 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:43.319 couple analysis pieces lined up that I was able to 31 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:45.920 read this morning, so that's going to be pretty exciting. 32 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:48.799 And then UH, it's gonna be four podcasts coming people's 33 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:51.560 way if if they're into the podcast game. Joel and 34 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:54.359 I of course taping Susan and I doing kind of 35 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:59.480 an overview type piece podcast. And then Susan Mason Schweizer 36 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:03.079 from our uh, you know, kank Key newspaper they they 37 00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:06.799 jumped on for a podcast about that neck of the woods. 38 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:10.319 And then j T Penalty, Eddie Griffel and San Ramirez 39 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:13.280 with their South and West podcast looking at the Calb 40 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:17.199 County and UH and and SOCC suck in South Valley 41 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:20.120 area and the Illinois valleys, So a lot of stuff 42 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:23.639 coming your way if you're into football in July Friday 43 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:27.159 night drive his place to go. So but but yeah, no, 44 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:30.639 we just wanted to uh Joe today. Wanted to maybe 45 00:02:31.159 --> 00:02:33.759 first start off by looking at some of the you know, 46 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:37.120 kind of new matchups, uh, particularly early in the year 47 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:40.080 that kind of excited me and excited as you as 48 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:42.759 we as we looked at him, and we kind of 49 00:02:42.759 --> 00:02:46.919 had a little bit of sneak preview we have. You know. 50 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:49.919 The the thing is that the official release is tomorrow 51 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:52.919 on Friday, but the schedules are kind of out there, 52 00:02:52.960 --> 00:02:55.840 so you kind of know what games are going on, 53 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:58.520 it's just you know, not the official official is tomorrow, 54 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:00.599 so we we do a pretty good yeah about what's 55 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:03.280 going on. But uh, but yeah, I mean, uh, you know, 56 00:03:03.479 --> 00:03:06.560 I'm gonna start uh week one. Or's some really you know, 57 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:10.080 interesting kind of new matchups that I saw and one 58 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:13.599 of the ones that really that that Sus told me. 59 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:17.280 It kind of came together very last minute in the 60 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:19.680 last month or so of the the offseason, as teams 61 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:23.520 were scrambling to phil openings. Lion's township is going to 62 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:27.039 be at Joey at Catholic Week one. Uh I saw 63 00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:30.960 that and I think I texted Sue's like, Ooh, I 64 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:34.240 mean Lion's Township a team that they won the Western 65 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:37.879 Westernbourban Silver last year, they reached the Class eight A 66 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:41.919 quarterfinals and they are continuing to emerge as a threat 67 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:44.479 in eight A and obviously the Westbourbon Silver that they 68 00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:48.159 won last year. Then they're going down to Joel Yet 69 00:03:48.199 --> 00:03:51.039 to play Joey a Catholic of course, the defending Class 70 00:03:51.080 --> 00:03:54.800 five A runner up. Really good tradition there, and just 71 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:59.080 not only two really good programs, but two really good conferences. 72 00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:01.520 You know, not gonna right off the bad in Week one. 73 00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:04.360 So that's gonna be a really fun one to watch. 74 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:06.280 But Joe, I know there there's a couple ones that 75 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:08.680 you're looking at. One specifically that I could think. 76 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:13.000 Of, Yeah, yeah, the big one for me that I've 77 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:16.360 been keeped my eye out for is Saint Charles North 78 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:21.000 heading down to Minooka. Obviously North Stars past couple of years, 79 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:25.800 they've played their Week one game against Palatine, and those 80 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:28.439 games that were always really fun to watch because they 81 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:30.920 always came down to the you know, last second players, 82 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:34.120 it felt like, But I mean Minooka obviously eight and 83 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:37.959 three last season. I mean, you know, they're coming off 84 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:42.120 a pretty solid season in the Southwest Prairie. So it's 85 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:45.199 gonna be really interesting to see, you know, if that 86 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:49.199 Week one game against the team like Minooka stands up 87 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:51.800 to you know, how their Week ones had been in 88 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:55.399 the previous seasons against Palatine. Obviously, I'm a little upset 89 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:57.160 that I think or that I never got to see 90 00:04:57.160 --> 00:04:59.920 a game like that, but I'm sure, you know, obviously 91 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:03.839 Charles north is returning a lot of good players. Obviously 92 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:06.639 they did lose their for your starting quarterback and Ethan Plumb, 93 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:10.000 but they are still you know, having guys like Ring 94 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:13.480 he'd come back, who's now committed to Northwestern. So I'm 95 00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:15.600 really excited to see how that game is gonna, you know, 96 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:18.199 pan out to start off the season for them. 97 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:21.600 Yeah. Kind of interesting in that the Duquesne Conference and 98 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:24.560 the Southwest Prairie Conference are matching up in that Week 99 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:27.079 one game. They're also matching up in Week two in 100 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:31.199 a different game. Geneva going to Oswego. That was another 101 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:32.720 one that I saw. I'm like, oh, it's kind of 102 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:34.639 a it's kind of a fun one. A Swego's actually 103 00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:37.879 playing in April Central Week one, and then they have 104 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:40.680 Geneva coming there. And you know, both of those teams, 105 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:42.879 I mean, Oswego was nine and er last season in 106 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:45.680 the regular season, got to the second round of the playoffs. Geneva, 107 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:48.680 as we know, reached the state championship game. Those teams, 108 00:05:49.079 --> 00:05:50.680 both teams that they're gonna get have a little bit 109 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:52.759 of different look this year. I mean, Geneva, you know 110 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:56.879 graduates talent Taylor, Tony Jahino, Oswego. I think they returned 111 00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:00.800 like maybe four or five starters total, but they did 112 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.759 a lot of success to lower levels. So yeah, that 113 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:05.439 that'd be a that'd be a good one early on 114 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:06.000 in the season. 115 00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:09.079 Yeah, it seems like it's gonna be about of two 116 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:13.079 kind of rebuilding programs this year because obviously, you know, 117 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:15.279 you kind of mentioned us we Go only returning like 118 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:19.160 four or five starters. Geneva their offense is only returning 119 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:22.639 three starters of you know, their star studded cast from 120 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:25.920 last season. Uh, their defense a little bit less to 121 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:30.000 have to build back up. But you know, it's gonna 122 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:33.399 be kind of interesting to see, you know, how much 123 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:36.839 you know the younger guys that are going to be 124 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:39.480 stepping up this season. It's gonna be interesting to see 125 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:42.800 how they step up, you know, before they head into 126 00:06:42.839 --> 00:06:43.480 conference play. 127 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:47.360 So yeah, any other kind of new games that you 128 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:50.439 see on the schedule that that that that jump out 129 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:52.160 to you before we kind of deep dive into the 130 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:52.879 week by week. 131 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:56.279 Yeah. One, I thought that was interesting, kind of looking 132 00:06:56.680 --> 00:07:00.680 a similar DUKEUN conference that somebody that you cover a 133 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:04.879 lot more, Wheaton North obviously last year, they're two non 134 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:09.079 conference games against Providence Catholic and Lockport. Those literally came 135 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:11.839 down to the wire, both of them decided by the 136 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:15.480 last play against two pre quality teams. They're gonna have 137 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:18.439 a very similar non conference schedule. They're facing off against 138 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:21.079 Simeon in week one and then Stevenson in week two. 139 00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:24.600 Stevenson obviously went ten to two last year, Simeon seven 140 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:28.680 and four, you know, both really high quality programs that 141 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:31.319 they're going to face off against before heading into Duking 142 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:35.040 conference play. And I think considering how young they were 143 00:07:35.079 --> 00:07:38.160 for the most part, you know, last season, especially on offense, 144 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:41.639 it's gonna be interesting to see how those guys face 145 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:45.279 off against teams like Sidney and Stevenson this year. 146 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:47.560 Yeah. Yeah, you know, one more game that I did 147 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:49.279 notice this morning when I was kind of just kind 148 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:52.560 of combing over things, is Ice Catholic is playing Woodstock 149 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:55.279 North in Week two. I see Catholic. Obviously, they missed 150 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:57.759 the playoffs last year, which they had not. It's been 151 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:00.160 a long time since they they have missed the playoff 152 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:03.279 got probably a decade or something. And I mean, obviously 153 00:08:03.319 --> 00:08:06.720 they want to stay titles and whatnot. They're playing Woodstock North. 154 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:09.240 Who you know, maybe some people in the suburbs might 155 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:11.800 not realize they had a really good year last year. 156 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:13.720 They won eight games, they got to the second round 157 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:16.600 of the playoffs. I believe they have their best player, 158 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:20.040 David Rendecker fallback coming back. So I think they're going 159 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:22.560 to be a team to watch in the Kishwaukee River. 160 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.720 We'll see how they do against Icy Catholic. I feel that. 161 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:26.959 So maybe a little bit of a you know, step 162 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.720 up in class a little bit to play a team 163 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:31.000 from the CCL, but definitely a matchup. I think it's 164 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:33.960 Week two that I did notice, and I'm like, oh, 165 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:36.200 that's kind of it's kind of interesting, you know, I 166 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:37.759 wonder how they found each other. I mean, they're they're 167 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:40.679 kind of like in different areas. But I mean teams, 168 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:44.519 you know, sometimes matchups come together late in the offseason. 169 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:46.480 I mean, I know, like there's some teams that are 170 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:49.559 still looking for games a few weeks. I know, Montini 171 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:52.799 the defending three eight champion, they won it as far 172 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:55.679 as I know right now, I think Loyola is week 173 00:08:55.720 --> 00:08:58.000 two doesn't have an opponent right now. So I mean 174 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:01.840 we're sitting here in July seventeenth. You know, well, we'll 175 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:04.080 see what happens with that. But but yeah, that Icy 176 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:07.039 Catholic Whitstack North game in week two, I believe was 177 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:10.159 another one that stood out. So yeah, we wanted to 178 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:12.559 to kind of look at a week by week and 179 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:14.120 you know, maybe each of us can give a shout 180 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:15.799 out to a game that we're kind of looking forward 181 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:19.279 to each week. You know, I'll start at week one, Joel, 182 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:21.759 What is there a game that kind of like jumps 183 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:23.320 off the page to you or it's like, wow, I 184 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:24.360 can't wait to see that one. 185 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:28.080 I think the big one, uh, you know, kind of 186 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:32.279 considering you know, the historic programs that are facing off 187 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:34.559 and kind of a game that they provided last year. 188 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.320 Batavian Glenbard West is a is always gonna be one 189 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:39.960 of those games that you know, I was gonna be like, oh, 190 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:41.879 I kind of want to see how this goes. Obviously, 191 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:44.639 Glenbard West is coming off of, you know, a shocking 192 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:48.240 season where they didn't make it into the playoffs, so 193 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:50.759 I'm sure they're probably gonna want to get off on 194 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:53.679 the right foot against a team like Batavia and obviously 195 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:56.320 Bulldogs last year made it all the way to the 196 00:09:56.320 --> 00:10:00.320 state title game before losing to Mount Carmel. I know 197 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:05.000 they're they're returning a lot of fun offensive weapons. Some 198 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:07.879 may be in different positions from what I hear, So 199 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:11.360 you know, I'm gonna be really interested to see, you know, 200 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:15.080 kind of how that kind of stats up in that 201 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:17.720 Week one matchup there. So that one's definitely caught my 202 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:18.440 eye for sure. 203 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:22.200 Yeah, Glenbard West hosted Batavia last year and Deshaun Field 204 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.320 the first time. I think those programs have played each 205 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:26.399 other at least since their current head coaches have been there, 206 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:29.159 and they've been there for a little while between Dennis 207 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:33.000 Puron and Chad Hetlett. But I know Batavia won that game. 208 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:35.679 It's kind of a close game, even though Batavia controlled 209 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:39.039 the game, but kind of set an unfortunate tone for 210 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:41.200 Glenbard West because they started the season zero and four 211 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:43.000 and they were really battling back the rest of the 212 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:45.440 year and they almost they almost kind of snuck in 213 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:48.039 the back door, but they didn't quite get there. So 214 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:49.879 they want to get off to a better start of 215 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:52.559 the year. But man, it will not be easy because 216 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:54.919 they go to Batavia and then they played Joliant Catholic 217 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:59.600 week two, so hello, the first week season before they 218 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:02.559 go into the conference. So but yeah, no, that's you 219 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:05.039 and I both, I mean we saw Glenbard West TAVI 220 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:07.279 week one. He're like, yeah, that's that's That's definitely one 221 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:10.600 of the better ones. Uh. In week one, another game 222 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:13.039 that I'm looking forward to, not only because I think 223 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:15.399 it might be a good game, but because it's gonna 224 00:11:15.399 --> 00:11:18.440 be maybe the first game played in the state this year, 225 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:22.039 and that's Saint Francis Is going to Gateley Stadium on 226 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:26.480 Thursday night. They're playing Kenwood, who Ken's had a lot 227 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:29.639 of really good, high end talent the last few years. 228 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:33.120 They maybe slipped maybe a touch, but I mean, you 229 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:36.360 never really know what they have coming. I do know 230 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:39.279 that Saint Francis had has a lot of talent they 231 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:41.120 have one of the best receiving cores in the state, 232 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:44.679 led by Zach Washington. It's going to Michigan State. You know, 233 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:48.159 their entire offensive linebacks. So but they they have a 234 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:50.759 brutal schedule. I think you and I have both thought 235 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:53.080 about it. So man, they they really want to get 236 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:55.559 that win right off the bat. But again, Thursday night. 237 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:58.120 I remember when I taught to coach McMillan and I 238 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.960 asked him about the schedule. He's like, they were playing Thursday. 239 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:02.799 I'm like, thank I think my first word in was 240 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:05.679 thank you or thanks because you know, that's the chance 241 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:08.519 for us to see some football before before right Friday 242 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:10.919 rolls around. So yeah, that should be a good one. 243 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:12.919 Week two. What are what are some of Is there 244 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:14.159 a game that kind of stands out to you? 245 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.360 Yeah? I mean, you know, last year this game was 246 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:21.519 kind of a blowout in my eyes or both not 247 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:24.200 in my eyes, I saw it firsthand. But this year, 248 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:26.279 I think it's going to be really interesting, you know, 249 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:29.840 especially considering some of the talent that the losing team 250 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:32.879 has added to their side. I'm talking about Batavia and 251 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:36.279 South Elgin. I mean, obviously South Elgin has Gavin Bueler, 252 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:40.720 coming in now Colorado commit uh, you know, coming in 253 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:42.799 at tie end for them, So that adds a lot 254 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:46.879 to you know, that potent offense. And I think also 255 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:49.159 on top of that, Patavia lost a lot on the 256 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:53.360 defensive side to graduation. I mean talking about Chase Osborne, 257 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:57.080 who was you know, literally everywhere almost every single game 258 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:59.879 for them, you know, Josh Cally also in the backfield. 259 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:02.279 You know, they lost a lot up front as well. 260 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.200 So I think it's gonna be really interesting to see. 261 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:06.320 You know, it's gonna be a big test for that 262 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:08.960 new defense, you know, heading into this game, and I 263 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:10.879 think it's gonna be really interesting to see, you know, 264 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:13.759 kind of how that dynamic is, especially facing off against 265 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:16.799 somebody as talented on the field as Gavin Eeler. 266 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:20.159 So yeah, well you mentioned South Elgin coming out of 267 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:22.600 the Upstate Eight. Another matchup I'm looking forward to is 268 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:26.440 week two. Is two other very good teams from that league. 269 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:29.320 It's Glenbard East and West Arora. They I believe they 270 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:33.519 won their respective divisions in the conference. Last year. They 271 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:36.840 did play West Arora beat them kind of handling by 272 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:40.720 a few touchdowns. But I mean it's two of the 273 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:42.720 teams that are gonna be the best in that league. 274 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:45.039 I expect both to get to the playoffs. They both 275 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:47.240 went last year. I think Westroer went nine and zero 276 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:49.519 during the regular season. I think they both might have 277 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:52.360 reached the second round of playoffs. But that'll be a 278 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:54.799 nice little game, you know early in the year kind 279 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.639 of gets an idea about where those teams are at 280 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.000 Week three. 281 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:00.480 What do you think the Week three I think it's 282 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:04.360 the matchup that decided part of the Duking Conference last 283 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:07.720 year at St. Charles North versus Geneva. They're going to 284 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:11.000 be heading to you know St. Charles North for this game. Obviously, 285 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:14.480 two kind of different programs heading into this. I mean, 286 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:16.559 obviously we kind of mentioned it. Geneva was gonna be 287 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.279 on the rebuilding side on the offense. 288 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.080 Meanwhile St. 289 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:22.519 Charles North on the other side, they're returning a good 290 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:25.399 majority of their offense besides of course Ethan Plump, but 291 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.840 from what I hear, they have plenty of options in 292 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:30.440 the back or in that Backeld bill in that position. 293 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:32.879 So you know, it's gonna be really interesting to see, 294 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:35.600 you know, what the dynamic is going to be between 295 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:40.399 these two returning co Duking Conference champions so you know, 296 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:42.559 I'm really interested to see how this game pans out. 297 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:45.279 So I'm gonna cheat for a week three and I'm 298 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:48.200 gonna pick two games because one of them, one of 299 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:51.320 them is you know, wow, wow wow. Is Mount Carmel 300 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:55.559 playing Nazareth and Nazareth. Mount Carmel defending seven eight champs 301 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:58.279 mount or Nazareth defending five eight champs. They're both going 302 00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:00.399 to be you know, moved up a class this year 303 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:03.960 to eight A and six A assuming they reached the playoffs. 304 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:07.399 But but obviously two of the you know, just the 305 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:10.639 two of the great programs in the state. Nazareth did 306 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:14.440 graduate a lot of really good seniors from last year's team, 307 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:16.559 but man, I mean, I still expect to be good. 308 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:20.720 Mount Carmel, Mike, Mike Goodness. They have so many like 309 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:23.600 high major Division one recruits in that team. It's really 310 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:27.600 scary the talent that they've assembled for this team on 311 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:30.240 this team this year. So those two teams are playing 312 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:33.320 Mount Carmel on and Nazareth. Coincidentally, I saw on the schedule. 313 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:36.080 I believe it's Nazareth's only home game in the first 314 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:38.440 five weeks of the season, so they're gonna be on 315 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:40.120 a road quite a bit, starting with their going to 316 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:44.519 Kankakey week one, so that should be a matchup that 317 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:47.120 everybody's attention is going to be on. And then the 318 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:50.159 other one, you know, at least in Sandwich Plano, all 319 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:53.240 the attention is gonna be there is Sandwich and Plano 320 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:56.200 meeting up, those two teams, those two schools and Metal 321 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:59.519 on the football field since eighteen ninety seven. Pretty big 322 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:02.720 game in those towns, and usually a pretty good game 323 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:05.360 as well. Sandwich has beat in the last couple of years. 324 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:07.679 But man, it's a rivalry that I think it's like 325 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:11.399 fifty seven to fifty three all time, so it's really close. 326 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:14.799 But you know, everybody in those communities is going to 327 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:17.480 be keeping a close eye on that one. So some 328 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:19.720 good ones there Week four. What do you think? 329 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.600 I think a big one that you got to look 330 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:25.720 at for Week four is obviously Saint Francis versus Saint Rita. 331 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:30.240 I mean two returning you know, semi or state semifinal teams. 332 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:33.559 Obviously Saint Francis in five A, uh, Saint Rita in 333 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:36.720 seven A this or last year. I mean, you know, 334 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:40.080 two quality programs are facing off against each other again. 335 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:43.120 I think it's going to be really you know, interesting, 336 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:44.799 and it might be a little bit closer this year, 337 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:47.440 so I think it's gonna be a good matchup. 338 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:50.200 I feel like you could pick a Saint Francis game 339 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:52.840 probably eight out of the nine weeks. I mean, they're 340 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:57.960 just crazy good, are crazy tough, whichever way you want 341 00:16:57.960 --> 00:17:00.000 to call it. But that should be a good one. 342 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:02.200 One Another one in the c C L E SEC 343 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:06.759 that I got my eye on is Fenwick playing at Montini. Montini, 344 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:10.400 of course the defending Quest three A state champions, but 345 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:14.279 Fenwick was the last team to beat them. Uh Mantini 346 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:16.599 won the last ten games they played, including the playoffs, 347 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:18.880 but Fenwick beat them. It was a good one too. 348 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:21.640 It's thirteen to ten, low scoring game. Fenwick had a 349 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:24.519 really good defense last year. We'll see what they look 350 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:27.119 like this year. But but but that should be a 351 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:30.039 really good one. It's one of Montini's probably, you know, 352 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:34.079 games that I'm kind of watching in their schedule, like 353 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:36.279 the last years. I feel like if Montini can just 354 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:40.160 survive the regular season and get to five wins or 355 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:42.200 maybe six wins, then they're gonna be a tough out 356 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:44.880 once the playoff starts. But but that should be a 357 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:48.519 really good one. Fenwick and Montini Week four, Week five? 358 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:51.200 What games are on your map? 359 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:55.279 Well, Week five, I think, uh, you know, kind of 360 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:59.519 sticking with the Code D King Conference champion matchups, I 361 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:02.680 think got to go with Saint Charles North and Batavia. 362 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:06.079 They get I think, you know, both of those offenses 363 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:10.119 have a lot of returning talent, and I think that's gonna, 364 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:13.359 you know, show on the field. Last year game was 365 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:17.039 super fun. It didn't look close for the most part 366 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:22.880 or on paper, but I mean it required a very 367 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:26.200 big effort from Nathan wentwell for Batavia to pull off 368 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:28.720 that victory. I mean five second half touchdown or rushing 369 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:31.200 touchdowns for him. He honestly could have had a six 370 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:34.400 if they didn't put Grayson Kelly in for that play. 371 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:37.480 But yeah, no, I think, you know, this is going 372 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:41.079 to be once again a really good game with two 373 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:46.119 really talented offenses. And yeah, there's a chance that this 374 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:48.440 is going to determine who wins the Duke in Conference 375 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:51.480 in my opinion, So I think he's given fun. 376 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:54.000 Yeah, no, that should be a lot of fun again. 377 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.599 I got there's a couple that I'm looking at for 378 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:59.640 Week five. I start with again Nazareth. They're going to 379 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:02.720 Joey Catholic. I mean, it speaks for itself. These are 380 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.519 two teams that have played for the state title the 381 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:08.039 last two years and five A and NADS have beat 382 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.720 them both times. They beat them last year in the 383 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:12.839 regular season. Two all of them were very close games, 384 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:15.319 so that one should be a lot of fun. Another 385 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:17.359 really good matchup. I mean, you could probably pick three 386 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:19.799 or four games every week in the C C L E. 387 00:19:19.880 --> 00:19:21.920 S CC that that are really good games. But that 388 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:24.680 is definitely one that I'm looking at. And the other 389 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:28.720 one out there in Kendall County area, Yorkville is playing Oswego. 390 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:32.839 You know, neighboring towns, kind of close rivals, friendly type rivals, 391 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:37.279 but you know Oswego got them last year, Yorkville got 392 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:41.039 them the two previous years. Yorkville another team that's had 393 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:43.000 a lot of success the last decade, but they missed 394 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:45.480 the playoffs at four and five last year, so they're 395 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:47.640 gonna be looking to get back and that'll be one 396 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:50.359 of the games that they certainly have circle on their calendar. 397 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:53.480 So so that should be a really fun h you know, 398 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:56.720 week five matchup. Week six, we're already into October, or 399 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:58.359 at least close to it. Maybe lads some times. 400 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:04.720 Yeah, for sure. Well, Week six is obviously a rivalry 401 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:09.279