It’s a loaded weekend around the area in Week 7. Here are previews of a few of the best games.
No. 7 Fremd at No. 15 Barrington 7:30 p.m. Friday
It’s the year of the quarterback in high school football, and Fremd (6-0, 2-0 Mid-Suburban West) has one of the best in Northwestern commit Johnny O’Brien. The 6-3, 200-pounder has completed 70% of his passes for 1,359 yards with 18 touchdowns and two interceptions. His top target is Western Illinois commit MarQuan Brewster, who has 33 catches for 596 yards and eight TDs. Barrington (5-1, 2-0) has some elite skill players of its own in quarterback Luke Tepas (1,335 passing yards, 13 TDs), sophomore running back Lamar Osterhues (682 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and wide receiver Austin Coles (35 catches, 624 yards, five TDs).
No. 17 York at No. 11 Downers Grove North, 7 p.m. Friday
For a team that reached the Class 8A title game last season, York (5-1, 3-0 West Suburban Silver) has kept a fairly low profile this season. But the Dukes’ only loss was to Glenbrook South in the season opener, and they’ve been rolling since, including a 28-18 victory last week against Hinsdale Central. Senior running back Henry Duda, one of the mainstays back from the state team, had 314 total yards and three TDs against the Red Devils. Downers North (5-1, 3-1) has been without Minnesota-bound quarterback Owen Lansu for much of the season because of injury but still has some playmakers in Kevin Jay and Illinois-bound tight end Will Vala.
Stevenson at No. 12 Warren, 7 p.m. Friday:
These are two of the three remaining unbeatens in the North Suburban, along with Lake Zurich. Warren (5-1, 4-0) features the premier running back in the state in Illinois football and wrestling commit Aaron Stewart, who has 177 carries for 1,709 yards (9.7-yard average) and 28 TDs. Stevenson (5-1, 4-0) has won five games in a row since losing by 10 to Prospect in its opener. The Patriots have one of the top kickers in the state in Caden An, who booted a program-record 52-yard field goal last week against Lake Forest.
No. 5 Glenbard West at No. 19 Hinsdale Central, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Both teams are among the best in the state after going 4-5 and missing the playoffs last season. Glenbard West (6-0, 3-0 West Suburban Silver) has marquee victories against Batavia, Downers Grove North and Lyons. Mobile quarterback AJ Rayford adds an extra dimension to a Hilltoppers offense that, as usual, has a deep group of capable running backs. Hinsdale Central (4-2, 1-2) has a rarity among Class 8A teams: a quarterback — Riley Contreras — who’s also an elite defensive player.
No. 4 Loyola at Providence, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Loyola (4-1) usually has been senior-dominated, but the Ramblers are trending younger this fall. Quarterback Matthew Lee, wide receiver Jordan McKinley and running back Melo Maldonado are sophomores making a major impact. Running back Broden Mackert has a team-high 10 TDs for Providence (4-2), which is looking to return to the playoffs after finishing 4-5 last season.