:quality(70):focal(520x76:530x86)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/XF5LS4S4WNUN3TSKSW7IQLFSYQ.jpg)
Here is a preview of first-round playoff games involving area teams in the Suburban Life coverage area.
Class 8A
Bolingbrook (6-3) at Hinsdale Central (8-1)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Oswego/Elgin winner.
About Bolingbrook: The Raiders have stumbled a bit down the stretch, losing to Homewood-Flossmoor and Andrew the last two weeks. But that could make them dangerous, and there is pedigree. Wide receiver Antonio King is a four-year varsity fixture and an offensive threat. Devyn Suggs is a talented dual-threat quarterback. Safety Justin Walters has an offer from Michigan, and leads a defense that's allowed just 104 points.
About Hinsdale Central: First-year coach Brian Griffin piloted the Red Devils to a tremendous regular season, an overtime loss at Glenbard West the only blemish. Junior quarterback Michael Brescia and senior receiver Braden Contreras have quite a connection going. Owen Goss and Guy Henry Goss lead the Red Devils' defense.
Friday Night Drive pick: Hinsdale Central.
Class 8A
Downers Grove South (5-4) at Glenbard West (9-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Loyola/Maine South winner.
About Downers Grove South: The Mustangs are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Jayden Lambert is Downers Grove South's top playmaker, but sophomore Eli Reed has emerged as a talented option opposite him. The Mustangs have benefited from health at quarterback with Cole Warehime. They played just two teams with winning records, though, and how they handle Glenbard West's physicality on the line will be something to watch.
About Glenbard West: The West Suburban Silver champs were dominant during the regular season, outscoring opponents 414-67 with only Hinsdale Central staying within 17 points. The run game is clearly where the Hilltoppers' bread is buttered with Jalen Moore, Joey Richmond and Nic Seifert, but quarterback Braden Speich had a big game in Week 9. The linebacking corps led by Greyson Metz and Will Skowronski are fast and physical. Glenbard West's undefeated regular season was its first since 2015, the year the HIlltoppers won their second of two state titles this decade.
FND pick: Glenbard West.
Class 8A
Marist (5-4) at Glenbard East (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Huntley/Taft winner.
About Marist: The RedHawks got in the playoffs with a 14-6 upset of Loyola in Week 9. Marist, a Class 8A semifinalist last year and quarterfinalist in 2017, survived a bruising schedule that included eight playoff teams including 9-0 Mount Carmel and 9-0 Nazareth. Sophomore dual-threat quarterback Dontrell Jackson has an offer from Illinois. Hayden Mikesell, who has rotated with Jackson at quarterback, and running back Amari Watkins are other playmakers.
About Glenbard East: The Rams qualified for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history, impressive when you consider the talent they graduated. Deon Cook is one of the area's elite receivers, a great guy to have around for sophomore quarterback Connor Cerkas.
FND pick: Marist.
Class 7A
Libertyville (5-4) at Nazareth (9-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Thornton/Pekin winner.
About Libertyville: Libertyville won its last three games to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons after an uncharacteristic 2-7 mark in 2018. Junior quarterback Blake Ellingson leads a Wildcats' offense that starts two sophomores – Josh Sears and David Freedman – on the offensive line.
About Nazareth: The reigning 7A champs are peaking at the right time, with road wins over Marist, Notre Dame and Benet. Junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a Michigan recruit, is the man to watch, and Tyler Morris, who had nine catches for 112 yards and two TDs, is an ultra-talented sophomore receiver. Don't sleep on Marcus Griffin and the Roadrunners' defense.
FND pick: Nazareth.
Class 7A
Downers Grove North (5-4) at Maine West (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Wheaton Warrenville South/Harlem winner.
About Downers Grove North: The Trojans are here after beating crosstown rival Downers Grove South in Week 9. Quarterback Drew Cassens is a talented runner and clearly the Trojans' go-to guy with more than 1,300 yards while also playing safety, but running back Josh Lumpkin comes in off a big game. Downers Grove North's last playoff win was in 2013 – coincidentally, they knocked off WW South in the second round that year and there's a playoff history between those two programs.
About Maine West: The Warriors won the Central Suburban North and are on a six-game winning streak after a 14-7 loss to Hoffman Estates. Maine West last year won the first playoff game in program history, beating Benet before losing to Willowbrook in the second round. Maine West quarterback Denny Kentgen threw for six touchdowns in a Week 9 win over Highland Park, coincidentally where Downers Grove North coach Joe Horeni coached before he came to Downers Grove.
FND pick: Maine West.
Class 7A
Wheaton Warrenville South (6-3) at Harlem (7-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Maine West/Downers Grove North winner.
About WW South: The Tigers, with a very different cast, have returned to the playoffs for the second straight season. Tommy Barnett helps lead the defense along with fellow linebackers Will Cassens. Jake Arthurs, who committed to Northwestern this week, and Prince Lankah, carry a big load offensively as experienced backs. The Tigers come in off a high, avenging a quarterfinal loss to St. Charles North from last year with a commanding Week 9 win.
About Harlem: The Huskies, out of the NIC-10, are making their 12th straight playoff appearance. – but are 0-7 in their last seven postseason games. A potent Harlem offense averaging 41.4 points per game is led by junior quarterback James Cooper, who's thrown for 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.
FND pick: WW South.
Class 7A
Benet (6-3) at Glenbard North (6-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Mount Carmel-Eisenhower winner.
About Benet: The Redwings are back in the playoffs for the eighth straight year. They're ready for a clean slate after dropping their last three regular-season games. Benet expects to get quarterback Colin Gillespie back from injury, which would be huge for an offense that struggled mightily against Nazareth. Miami-Ohio recruit Jacob Snell anchors a strong defense.
About Glenbard North: The Panthers have made a remarkable turnaround from 0-9 in 2018 to DuKane County co-champs with wins over St. Charles East and St. Charles North. Quarterback Mike Vazquez makes Glenbard North's traditionally run-heavy offense go.
FND pick: Glenbard North.
Class 7A
Moline (5-4) at Willowbrook (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Yorkville/T.F. South winner.
About Moline: Libertyville won its last three games to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons after an.
About Willowbrook: The Warriors won the West Suburban Gold for the third straight year, and have won eight straight games since a season-opening loss to Providence. Quarterback Sam Tumilty has accounted for over 2,500 yards of offense, and also starts at defensive back. Everett Stubblefield III and Deandre Holliday are talented weapons outside. The Warriors have reached the quarterfinals the last three years, and surely want more.
About Moline: The Maroons, back in the playoffs for the third straight season, started the season ranked but finished fourth in the Western Big Six. Moline needed to beat Quincy in Week 9, and did 48-21, because of a clerical error. Junior running back Kaeden Dreifurst played for Moline last year, moved to Arizona but moved back and there was an issue with the transfer paperwork upon his return. It forced the Maroons to forfeit their win over Rock Island and Dreifurst to be suspended two games. Dreifurst, though, had TD runs of 73 and 63 yards against Quincy.
FND pick: Willowbrook.
Class 6A
Riverside-Brookfield (6-3) at Kenwood (7-1)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday at Gately Stadium
Advancement: The winner plays the Deerfield/Crystal Lake South winner.
About Riverside-Brookfield: The Bulldogs have enjoyed a solid bounce-back season after going 2-7 in 2018. Luke Gentile, who plays running back, receiver, linebacker and punts, does it all for R-B.
About Kenwood: The Broncos are back in the playoffs for the third time in five years after going almost three decades without an appearance. They've done so on the strength of a defense that's allowed just 34 points. They're able to play this weekend after the Chicago Public Schools teachers' strike was settled Thursday.
Friday Night Drive pick: Riverside-Brookfield.
Class 6A
Springfield (7-2) at Lemont (7-2)
When: 5 p.m. Saturday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Chatham Glenwood-Danville winner.
About Springfield: The Senators are making their third straight playoff appearance with their most wins since 2010 – also, the last time the program won a postseason game. Their only losses are to Rochester and Chatham Glenwood. Scoring 40.3 points per game but giving up 30.4 points, expect scoring. Quarterback Rashad Rochelle, with offers from Central Michigan and Eastern Illinois among others, had 469 yards and six touchdowns in a 50-24 Week 9 win over Jacksonville.
About Lemont: The Indians are making their sixth straight playoff appearance, and have made the postseason all but one years since 2004. Lemont bounced back well from a loss to Hillcrest to rout Bremen 45-14 in Week 9. Wide receiver Anthony Sambucci, a Western Michigan recruit, headlines an offense that scores 39.2 points per game.
FND pick: Lemont.
Class 5A
Glenbard South (6-3) at St. Rita (6-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Sterling-Marian Catholic winner.
About Glenbard South: The Raiders are making their ninth straight playoff appearance. Dual-threat quarterback Nick Plaso makes Glenbard South's offense go, and Trevor Burnett will surely be busy. The records are similar, but this is a tough draw.
About St. Rita: The Mustangs are red-hot and dangerous going into the playoffs, winners of five straight games and beat Notre Dame 7-0 in Week 9 to get in. St. Rita is certainly battle-tested, having played eight teams that made the postseason. Running back Kaleb Brown is the second-ranked sophomore in Illinois, with offers from Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.
FND pick: St. Rita.
Class 5A
Elmwood Park (6-3) at Montini (7-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Sycamore-Evergreen Park winner.
About Elmwood Park: Elmwood Park, second in the Metro Suburban Red, is making its third straight playoff appearance after reaching the postseason just once the previous 25 years. Wide receiver Keon Grimes has rewritten the Elmwood Park receiving record book and is a favorite target of four-year starter and quarterback Michael Stranski.
About Montini: The Broncos, making their 27th straight playoff appearance, seek a return to the championship game. Nate Muersch, who had three TD catches in Week 9, is a big-play threat for dual-threat quarterback Deontay Bell – who has enjoyed a huge season as full-time starter. CJ Bufkin is another player to watch.
FND pick: Montini.
Class 4A
Chicago Clark (5-3) at St. Francis (8-1)
When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Wheaton College
Advancement: The winner plays the winner of North Chicago-Genoa-Kingston.
About Clark: Clark, and other Chicago Public Schools teams, will be back on the field after the teachers' strike was settled Thursday morning. Clark is making its fourth playoff appearance in five years, but is 0-3 in previous first-round games.
About St. Francis: St. Francis enjoyed plenty of success in the regular season, capped by its victory over IC Catholic to snap the Knights' 33-game winning streak. The Spartans scored their lowest point total – 20 – against IC, but averaged 47 points per game for the regular season. Starting quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse's availability remains a question mark after surgery on his non-throwing arm last week. If he can't go, Michael Baffa will more than capably fill in.
FND pick: St. Francis.
Class 4A
Chicago Sullivan (5-3) at IC Catholic Prep (8-1)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Advancement: The winner plays the Stillman Valley-Dixon winner.
About Sullivan: Sullivan is making its third straight playoff appearance, the game on after the CPS teachers' strike was settled Thursday. Sullivan is 0-2 against teams with winning records and has never won a playoff game.
About IC Catholic: The Knights, Class 3A champs in 2016 and 2017 and Class 4A champion in 2018, go for their fourth straight. The road to DeKalb will not be an easy one in the difficult 4A North bracket. Kyle Franklin, who has run for 1,189 yards and 19 touchdowns this year, comes off a huge 291-yard effort against Riverside-Brookfield. Kevin Cooke is a tackling machine, with 121.
FND pick: IC Catholic.