By Bobby Narang
St. Francis High School in Wheaton and IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst are on their to a collision course in week nine football.
However, Riverside-Brookfield might have something to say in the Metro Suburban Red Conference standings.
The Metro Suburban Red Conference has four teams with at least two victories through the first four games. St. Francis, 4-0, 2-0, has outscored its opponents 146-33, and Riverside-Brookfield, 3-1, 2-0, is at 119-77. Westmont, 2-1, has opened up some eyes with strong play through the early part of the season. Aurora Christian, 2-2, 0-1, is looking for victory No. 3 against Chicago Christian.
In the Metro Suburban Blue, Wheaton Academy, 4-0, 2-0, and IC Catholic Prep, 3-1, 2-0, are on top of the Conference standings.
St. Francis will play at Champaign Central Saturday, Sept. 24 before jumping back into Conference play against Aurora Christian September 30.
St. Francis head coach Bob McMillen said running back Amari Head has provided a jolt for his offense.
“Amari has done really well for us,” McMillen said. “He didn’t get a chance to run the ball much the last two years, maybe a handful of carries when the game was out of hand. He wasn’t that guy for us. Now he’s getting a chance to run the ball a lot. He put on 20 pounds of muscle, is explosive and quick with power and vision, and making people miss in the hole. The kid is going to be a 1,000-yard running back for us. He’s doing a phenomenal job for us. He’s an excellent student and bigger, thicker, and stronger, than last year and it shows in his numbers.”
McMillen praised junior linebacker Dom Beres for being one of the leaders on the defense.
In three games played, Beres has collected 40 tackles, three sacks, and an interception in three games. In a breakout sophomore season, Beres netted 61 solo tackles, 37 assists, and 5.5 sacks.
“He’s been all over the field making tackles,” McMillen said. “He’s a very good player.”
McMillen said his team is excited for their upcoming road trip. They will tour the University of Illinois campus and the football facilities.
“We’re going to take a tour of Illinois and go to Urbana High School for a walk through and stay overnight,” he said.
“It’s something different. A lot of high schools don’t get a chance like this. This is for our juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, to see what it’s like to be a Power 5 football player, and how hard you have to work in weight room and classroom. This is a great opportunity to go to see what it’s all about.”