The Game of the Week...

...this week features (again) two teams I have never seen --Wheaton North (7-0) and Glenbard North (6-1) -- at a school (GBN) in a town (Carol Stream) I've never been. (Although I did write about it last year.)

Both teams compete in the DuPage Valley Conference, which, if you ask anyone in the DVC, is without question the toughest in the state. (You may get an argument for the Catholic League Blue from some people I know, and you may -- just may -- even get an argument for the Southwest Suburban Blue from me.) But suffice it to say, the DVC is really, really good. And the winner of this game should go deep in the playoffs.

The Falcons of Wheaton North are led by quarterback John Peltz, above, who has passed for over 900 yards this season, mostly to receiver Matt Biegalski. Meanwhile, running back Patrick Sharp has rushed for just over 500 yards.

A look at their schedule reveals that they've outscored their opponents, 299-49. Wow! But, with the exception of Bartlett (5-2), the Falcons really haven't played the toughest schedule around. Sure, the Naperville teams are usually among the more competitive in the state, but not this year. Central, for example, has been shut out the last two outings (by Wheaton North and GBN) even though they were Class 8A semifinalists last year!

Wheaton North 49, BARTLETT (5-2) 0
WHEATON NORTH 34, Geneva (2-5) 7
Wheaton North 21, NAPERVILLE NORTH (4-3) 7
WHEATON NORTH 52, West Chicago (0-7) 0
Wheaton North 57, GLENBARD EAST (1-6) 7
WHEATON NORTH 41, Aurora West (1-6) 28
Wheaton North 45, NAPERVILLE CENTRAL (3-4) 0

Glenbard North, on the other hand, lost by a point in Week One to undefeated Batavia, one of my dark horses in the postseason. The Panthers also beat Carmel, which, although having an off year, is usually a tough team to beat. Those two teams right there make up a good non-conference schedule. (And, as readers of this blog know, I love schools that schedule tough non-conference opponents.) After that, GBN beat Naperville Central and Wheaton Warrenville South, another perennially good team having an off year.

The Panthers are led on offense by Brian Murphy at quarterback, who has thrown for over 500 yards, mostly to Ryan Storto. Justin Jackson, above, needs almost no introduction as he is one of the finest running backs in the state this year. (And quite a student as well, apparently.) Jackson has rushed for a little over 1400 yards so far in seven games. (That's over 200 yards a game, according to my slide rule!)

Batavia (7-0) 42, GLENBARD NORTH 41
Glenbard North 31, CARMEL (2-5) 16
Glenbard North 48, WEST CHICAGO (0-7) 6
GLENBARD NORTH 56, Glenbard East (1-6) 14
Glenbard North 28, AURORA WEST (1-6) 14
GLENBARD NORTH 23, Naperville Central (3-4) 0
Glenbard North 27, WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH (3-4) 21

While I fully expect this to be one of the very best games of the year (I say that every week, don't I?), a look at recent history isn't terribly encouraging for the Falcons. Last year was the first time they beat the Panthers since ... I don't know when (my source only goes back to 2004). I was actually surprised; I would have thought the series had been more competitive in recent years.

2011: WHEATON NORTH 27, Glenbard North 17
2010: GLENBARD NORTH 17, Wheaton North 14
2009: Glenbard North 32, WHEATON NORTH 0
2008: GLENBARD NORTH 35, Wheaton North 14
2007: Glenbard North 36, WHEATON NORTH 13
2006: GLENBARD NORTH 29, Wheaton North 26
2005: Glenbard North 30, WHEATON NORTH 14
2004: GLENBARD NORTH 43, Wheaton North 7

Although I mentioned earlier in the year that Wheaton North would be one of my "sleeper" teams, I'm going to call an audible and say that the home team prevails on Friday night. I'm afraid this kid Jackson is just going to run all over the squad from Wheaton. But I'll say it'll be close, though.

BOWG prediction: Glenbard North 28, Wheaton North 24.

See you at the game!