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St. Charles East (3-1, 1-1) at Geneva (0-4, 0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last matchup: 56-20 St. Charles East in 2018.
About the Saints: Sophomore Nathan Hayes has emerged as the starting quarterback after splitting reps with BJ Crossen for the first two weeks of the season. Hayes has a strong arm and is a deceptively strong runner given his frame and size.
About the Vikings: Geneva is hanging tough despite a difficult start. The Vikings are averaging less than 100 yards per game in both receiving (93) and rushing (88), pointing to at least some of the struggles.
Friday Night Drive pick: St. Charles East
Batavia (3-1, 2-0) at Wheaton Warrenville South (3-1, 1-1)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: 41-20 Batavia in 2018.
About the Tigers: WW South is coming off a crushing loss to St. Charles East last week after a late fourth-quarter rally. Quarterback Parker Brown has shown plenty of flashes, but turnovers last week cost him. The Tigers weren't able to run the football much last week, though they'll try to against an aggressive Batavia front seven.
About the Bulldogs: Glenbard North gave Batavia all it could handle last week. Sam Barus played the hero with a blocked field-goal attempt late in the game. Batavia's offense continues to settle in nicely as conference play is heating up.
FND pick: Batavia
Jacobs (3-1, 3-1) at Burlington Central (1-3, 1-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: First time since at least 1995
About the Rockets: Burlington Central continues to work its way through a tough schedule. The Rockets have given up more than 30 points the past two weeks, while the offense has scored more than 20 points once so far this season. Gavin Sarvis continues to be solid at running back.
About the Golden Eagles: Jacobs quarterback Cole Bhardwaj was intercepted three times in the first half last week against McHenry, the Eagles' first loss of the season, but still managed 188 yards of total offense. Jacobs, which has allowed just 28 points all season, sits in a five-way tie atop the Fox Valley Conference.
FND pick: Jacobs
Kaneland (3-1, 1-1) at Rochelle (1-3, 0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: 31-13 Rochelle in 2018.
About the Knights: Sophomore Cole Pugh threw two touchdown passes in his first varsity start last week, but Joe Smith is expected to return this week under center.
About the Hubs: After a hot start offensively with 35 points against Pekin in Week 1, the Hubs have scored a combined 20 points the past three weeks, including an 11-0 shutout loss to LeSalle-Peru last week.
FND pick: Kaneland
Mount Carmel (4-0, 1-0) at Marmion (4-0, 1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Mount Carmel 28-7 in 2018.
About the Cadets: Major Haas continues his outstanding senior season. Quarterback Padraig Fitzgerald and others also have had a great start to the season offensively, but Mount Carmel poses the Cadets' greatest challenge to this point.
About the Caravan: Everyone knows the perennial state powerhouse is coached by former NIU star Jordan Lynch, but his younger brother, Justin, a junior, is emerging as a star. Justin Lynch threw for 155 yards and ran for 112 two weeks ago in a win over Montini.
FND pick: Mount Carmel
St. Charles North (3-1, 2-0) at Lake Park (2-2, 1-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last matchup: 28-8 St. Charles North in 2018.
About the North Stars: Ryan Thiesse continues to build a reputation for being one of the most complete two-way players in the conference. In four games, Thiesse is tied with a team-high 26 tackles and leads in receptions (14) and yards (263).
About the Lancers: Lake Park is coming off a crucial overtime victory over Wheaton North last week. Quarterback Nathanael Merchant threw for over 100 yards. The Lancers did suffer a tough loss in the game, as running back Jordan Colon is out for the season with a broken and dislocated ankle.
FND pick: St. Charles North
St. Francis (3-1, 1-0) at Bishop McNamara (2-2, 1-1)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: 51-20 McNamara in 2018.
About the Spartans: It's hard to find many holes with an offense that continues to excel. The Spartans put up 40 points last week and Tommy Rittenhouse continues to grow more confident each week. Defensively, the Spartans defense has forced three shutouts.
About the Irish: McNamara was in the Class 4A state title game last year and returned 12 starters, including quarterback Tyler Hiller.
FND pick: Bishop McNamara