Prep previews

October 4, 2001 7:39 PM CDT

Naperville Central vs. Naperville North

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at North Central College, 30 N.

What to watch: How effective will No. 2 Naperville Central's offense be without star running back Kyle Griffith, who is out for the season with a torn knee ligament? Jason Paquette is expected to fill the void along with Joel Barenbrugge.

Central quarterback Phil Horvath, who has passed for 1,038 yards and 13 touchdowns, will assume more of the offensive burden. His favorite targets are receivers Tyke Spencer and Dan Passarelli, who are both averaging 20 yards per catch.

Naperville North will look to keep Naperville Central's offense idling on the sideline with a deceptive double-wing running attack featuring Steve Sarm, Mike Costantino and Corey McKeon. Naperville North's defense will be out to contain Horvath & Co. behind DL Peter Hwang, LBs McKeon and David Choi and DBs Bryan Vavruska, Mark Kieso and Sarm. Central's defense is led by LBs Mike Lucas and Nick Ehrlich and DBs Dave Atkinson, Bob Siciliano and Josh Rubin.

Bob Sakamoto's pick: Naperville Central.