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Week 5 High School Football Capsule Previews

Mike Bettinardi Marist takes catch for first down against Brother Rice Brother Rice Friday August 31st 2012 Chicago IL. |

Mike Bettinardi, of Marist, takes a catch for a first down against Brother Rice at Brother Rice, Friday, August 31st, 2012 in Chicago IL. | Gary Middendorf~For Sun-Times Media

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Updated: October 22, 2012 6:11AM



NO. 5 LEMONT (4-0, 1-0) at NO. 6 OAK FOREST (4-0, 1-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Lemont 31, Tinley Park 24; Oak Forest 45, Shepard 21

The breakdown: Oak Forest is 1-6 since 2006 in head-to-head match-ups against Lemont. Can the Bengals turn the tide? To do so, they must put the brakes on the Indians’ running attack, led by Christos Giatras (423 yards, 8 TDs). Oak Forest’s Nick Ciufia (301 yards rushing, 9 TDs) has been dynamite at QB since taking over for the injured Tom Zale at halftime of Week 2. Zale, however, could return here. Either way, it’s likely Lemont will key on stopping the Bengals’ running game, which also features Matt Barry (472 yards, 5 TDs).

NO. 3 LINCOLN-WAY EAST (4-0, 2-0) at SANDBURG (4-0, 2-0)

When: 7:15 p.m. Friday

Last week: Lincoln-Way East 35, H-F 20; Sandburg 7, Lincoln-Way Central 3

The breakdown: The Griffins’ mode of attack on offense is pretty simple: As QB Tom Fuessel goes, so go the Griffins. But stopping the fleet-footed, elusive Fuessel (326 yards rushing, 9.6 yards per carry) is easier said than done. RB Nick Colangelo (303 yards) and WR Justin Corbett are other options for East. Sandburg has played musical chairs at QB. However, it appears Sean Leland will take the snaps here. RB LeMonte Booker has rushed for 582 yards, averaging more than 11 yards per carry. The East defense will have its hands full denying Booker the big play.

NO. 2 MOUNT CARMEL (4-0) at NO. 10 BROTHER RICE (3-1, 1-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Mount Carmel 58, St. Joseph 0; Brother Rice 23, St. Rita 21

The breakdown: With the exception of Marist in Week 1, no one has been able to stop Rice’s high-powered offense. QB Matt Page has passed for 1,257 yards and 13 touchdowns and has a go-to receiver in Chris Rozell (23 catches, 376 yards). Mount Carmel will do what it does best: methodically run the football and eat time off the clock, which it hopes will keep Page and Co. on the sidelines. QB Don Butkus and RB Draco Smith (230 yards, 7.9 yards per carry) lead the Caravan attack.

ST. RITA (2-2, 0-1) at PROVIDENCE (3-1, 0-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Brother Rice 23, St. Rita 21; Loyola 41, Providence 21

The breakdown: Don’t look now, but St. Rita, at 2-2, has entered must-win territory with games remaining against Mount Carmel and Loyola. QB John Kelley (41-of-84, 594 yards) and RB Tim Lombard suffered injuries last week and are questionable. Providence has multiple weapons in RBs Chad Weaver (288 yards, 3 TDs) and Brandon Price (262 yards, 4 TDs) and WR Miles Boykin.

NO. 7 HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR (3-1, 1-1) at BOLINGBROOK (4-0, 2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Lincoln-Way East 35, Homewood-Flossmoor 20; Bolingbrook 44, Joliet West 12

The breakdown: The Vikings must contain Bolingbrook QB Aaron Bailey, a dazzling multi-weapon threat who has game-changing abilities. H-F would be wise to mix it up on offense, allowing RB Taje Smith (68-463) and QB Ron Johnson (44-of-73, 589) to keep the Raiders defense guessing and Bailey on the sideline.

NO. 9 RICHARDS (3-1, 2-0) at OAK LAWN (1-3, 1-1)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Richards 55, Argo 14; Oak Lawn 35, Reavis 14

The breakdown: Oak Lawn picked up a much-needed win in Week 4 and with it, an uptick in confidence. To make it two wins a row, the Spartans will need to effectively run the ball, stay away from penalties and turnovers, and limit the Bulldogs’ big-play strikes. Richards, with the two-headed monster of Tommy Mister and Hasan Muhammed-Rogers at QB and an attacking defense, looks to remain perfect in conference.

Compiled by Pat Disabato





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