Morgan Park at Richards
Kickoff: 7 p.m. at 10601 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn.
What to watch: Who plays QB for Richards. With starter Matt Whitney out for at least two games with a slight ACL tear, either younger brother Steve Whitney or Phil Ziemba–both juniors–will get the call. “It will be a game-time decision,” Richards coach Gary Korhonen said. See if Wisconsin-bound RB Dion Foster can pick up the slack for the No. 13 Bulldogs (1-0). No. 11 Morgan Park will look to spring loose RB Pierre Jones behind linemen Otis Brown (6-4, 310), Terel Brown (6-4, 310), German Morales (6-3, 275) and Allen Moore (6-1, 295), TE Ben Ford (6-3, 250) and FB Mozale McHenry (5-11, 255). The Mustangs’ defense is headed by five Division I prospects: Sam Porter (6-2, 235) and Phillip Brown (6-1, 225) at LB, Ronald McClennon (6-1, 275) at DT and Melvin Rice and Lester Richmond at DB.
Bob Sakamoto’s pick: Morgan Park.
Conant at Prospect
Kickoff: 7:40 p.m. at 801 W. Kensington Rd., Mt. Prospect.
What to watch: No-name Prospect, ranked ninth, hopes its swarming defense continues to wreak havoc. Prospect junior QB Matt Bowman enjoyed a successful debut last week in a 14-7 victory at Downers Grove North. Senior Matt Davis (three receptions, one TD and one interception) also came up big for the Knights. Conant QB Pat Kramer starts his first varsity game after successfully subbing for the injured Jonathon Kosrow in a 31-13 triumph over Waubonsie Valley last week. The No. 14 Cougars rely on the running of senior Tyler Rice (22 carries, 199 yards, 3 TDs).
Sakamoto’s pick: Prospect.
Lockport at Bolingbrook
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at 365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook.
What to watch: Bolingbrook christens its new football field with the school’s first home night game. After scoring 32 points in a Week 1 loss to Class 8A runner-up Maine South, the Raiders will need similar production against top-ranked Lockport. The two-time defending state champion Porters feature All-State QB Jake Christensen, who threw for 295 yards and four TDs in a 33-14 victory over Moline last week. Zach Lammers was the main target, but the Porters have other talented receivers, like George Kadlec and Rich Bonko. Bolingbrook has big-play producers of its own, including sophomore RB Dale Martin, who rushed for 211 yards in the opener but may miss this game with a hamstring pull. QB Javon Stewart and WR Carl Fisher also are dangerous. It’s a good thing the Bolingbrook scoreboard is new, because both teams figure to light it up.
Sakamoto’s pick: Lockport.
Maine South at Warren
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Warren’s O’Plaine campus, 500 N. O’Plaine Rd., Gurnee.
What to watch: Expect offensive fireworks from teams that combined for 85 points in season-opening victories. The No. 2 Hawks have All-State QB Sean Price, but last Saturday the tandem of Andy Cupp (two rushing TDs and an interception) and junior Jake Backmeier (80-yard kickoff return for a score and an interception) led the way. Warren looks for its second straight home upset after a 36-7 drubbing of New Trier last Friday, when Mitchell Moore ran for two touchdowns and answered the Trevians’ only score by returning the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for another TD. The Blue Devils’ running game needs to control the clock to keep Maine South’s offense on the sideline.
Sakamoto’s pick: Maine South.
