Prospect at Buffalo Grove
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday at 1100 W. Dundee Rd., Buffalo Grove.
What to watch: The Mid-Suburban East title is on the line. No. 9 Prospect (7-1, 4-0) has won seven straight and outscored its opponents 262-61. Defending MSL East champ Buffalo Grove (5-3, 4-0), on a four-game streak, is led by LB Eric Andino (19 tackles last week), who must contend with double-threat QB Ric Radcliffe and Prospect’s well-balanced offensive attack.
Sakamoto’s pick: Prospect.
Neuqua Valley at Lake Park
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle.
What to watch: With the Upstate Eight’s 11-school makeup and unbalanced schedule, these two teams meet for the first time since 2000. Both have qualified for the playoffs, but the conference title is on the line. Lake Park and Bartlett are 5-0; Neuqua is 5-1 and would need help from 1-4 Elgin, host to Bartlett on Friday. Lake Park edged St. Charles North 21-17 a week ago on Brad Wilk’s TD pass with 39 seconds left. Neuqua routed Elgin 47-6 as Mike Genslinger ran for three TDs.
Sakamoto’s pick: Lake Park.
Brother Rice at St. Rita
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at 7740 S. Western, Chicago.
What to watch: A fight for the Catholic Blue title. No. 6 Brother Rice (8-0, 4-0) brings a balanced attack with QB Dan Nicholson and WR Tom Dwyer. No. 14 St. Rita (7-1, 3-1), featuring junior RB Wade Weyer, needs to control the line of scrimmage. Last year’s game went six OTs, so bring a seat cushion.
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Bob Sakamoto’s pick: Brother Rice.
Andrew at Bolingbrook
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday at 350 Blair Lane, Bolingbrook.
What to watch: The battle for SICA Gray supremacy probably will be decided on the ground. RBs Matt Silkowski, Dave Doberszytn and Eric Lythberg have combined for 26 TDs for No. 15 Andrew (7-1, 6-0); Bolingbrook (7-1, 5-1) features TB Eric Hicks and FB Kyle Williams (10 TDs each), who is also one of the nation’s top linebackers. Both teams have scored more than 30 points four times this season.
Sakamoto’s pick: Andrew.