It doesn't get much better than a matchup of a pair of two-time defending state champs. Class 5A Nazareth (2-0) is as experienced a team as there is in the state with multiple four- and three-year varsity starters. Savvy quarterback Logan Malachuk is one of the four-year starters, coming off a career-best six passing touchdowns vs. Kenwood. The Roadrunners have plenty of playmakers on defense, including edge rusher Gabe Kaminski, a Stanford recruit; defensive back Garrett Reese (Indiana) and linebacker Lesroy Tittle. Class 7A Mount Carmel (1-1) also has an elite quarterback in Vanderbilt recruit Jack Elliott, who had 330 total yards and three touchdowns in last week's shutout of St. Rita.
Maine South (1-1) had a big bounceback from its Week 1 loss to Lincoln-Way East, dominating Warren 35-18. Michael Dellumo is an impact player on both sides of the ball, running for a pair of scores and intercepting two passes against the Blue Devils. Quarterback Constantine Coines accounted for 346 total yards and three TDs in the win. Hersey (0-2) intentionally beefed up its nonconference schedule after going 9-0 in each of the last two regular seasons before losing in the second round of the IHSA playoffs. After falling to Warren and Barrington, the Huskies will try to get back on track behind quarterback Colton Gumino (UCLA).
No conference had a more successful first two weeks than the DuKane, which went 13-3 against non-league foes. Wheaton North (2-0) has a pair of quality wins, both by one point, against Providence and Lockport. Nick Johnson passed for 284 yards and a TD last week, while Dylan Jung had a touchdown run and an interception. St. Charles North (2-0) is yet another team with an elite quarterback in four-year starter Ethan Plumb. Keaton Rinke and Aidan McClure had big games in last week's win against Crete-Monee. Rinke returned the opening kickoff 77 yards for a TD, caught a touchdown pass and threw a TD pass. McClure had a 45-yard pick-six, blocked a punt, recovered two fumbles and had two tackles for loss.
Fenwick (2-0) is coming off a solid 34-24 win against St. Ignatius. Sophomore back Jalen Morgan had 152 yards on 19 touches for the Friars. The defense is anchored by the state's No. 2 senior and a top-50 national prospect, lineman Nate Marshall (Auburn). Joliet Catholic (1-1) will try to get its offense back on track after losing 17-0 at Oswego. The Hilltoppers were held to 117 rushing yards, including 67 from Nate Magrini, and 31 passing yards.
A case could be made that no team in the state has four tougher games to start the season than Glenbard West (0-2), which has lost 35-28 to Batavia and 42-7 to Loyola. Next up are a pair of West Suburban Silver powers in Downers North and Lyons, both currently 2-0. The Hilltoppers have an impact player in multitalented Iowa State commit Mason Ellens. Downers North has a potent pitch-and-catch duo in quarterback Owen Lansu (Minnesota) and receiver Owen Thulin.
