Crete-Monee, Lincoln-Way West, St. Rita, Sandburg and Lincoln-Way East are picks to click in season openers.
Crete-Monee (6-4 last season) at Richards (11-2)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: These Class 6A contenders square off in the season opener again after last season’s Week 1 thriller, which Richards won 27-26 on a last-minute touchdown.
Crete-Monee returns the players most responsible for an offense that averaged 48 points in 2024. Senior quarterback Derrin Couch and senior receivers Dorian Patterson and D’Arion Yarbrough will be tough to stop. Junior running back Jeremiah Stonewall, a transfer from Marian Catholic, adds another dimension.
Senior lineman Johnny Lipscomb and senior safety Ahmad Buchanan will try to help the Bulldogs slow down the Warriors. Richards also has a returning starter at quarterback in senior Noah Escobedo.
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X-factor: Anson LaBranche, Crete-Monee, junior, linebacker/running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Crete-Monee.
Eisenhower (4-5) at Lincoln-Way West (7-4)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: After narrowly missing the playoffs in the first season under coach Vincent Holmes, Eisenhower looks to take the next step. But the Cardinals will need to do that without do-everything star Andre Lovett, who is now playing at Illinois.
Senior receiver Larnell Moore is a dependable target for senior Demarion Hampton, who is set for his first season as the starting quarterback. Senior linebacker/running back Damian Lewis brings toughness.
Lincoln-Way West has the pieces for another successful season.
Senior receiver/defensive back Chase Markowicz (Illinois State) and senior running back Jahan Abubakar, who is also a Division I recruit, are big-time playmakers. Senior lineman Brady Nelson is a force on the defensive front.
X-factor: Zach Hermanson, Lincoln-Way West, senior, kicker/punter.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way West.
Marist (9-2) at St. Rita (10-3)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This game could be a major tone-setter for both teams that each have very difficult early season schedules.
The RedHawks will have many new faces on the field, with just four starters returning. Senior offensive linemen Rico Schrieber (Purdue) and Danzel Newell (New Mexico) look to take the pressure off senior quarterback Luke Detampel. Watch for junior safety Tommy Hosty, who made the transition from quarterback.
St. Rita has the experience advantage, bringing back 13 starters, including eight on defense. Senior linebacker Owen Lynch and senior defensive back Langston Smith lead the way on that side of the ball. Senior quarterback Steven Armbruster brings veteran savvy and junior running back Brandon Johnson seems primed for a breakout.
X-factor: Walter Jones, St. Rita, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: St. Rita.
Sandburg (5-5) at Andrew (6-4)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: These district rivals did not play each other in football for nearly three decades before their first meeting in 2004 but have squared off fairly regularly ever since.
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Both sides decided to keep the series going this season even after they were split into different divisions of the Southwest Valley. It will be the Sandburg head coaching debut for alum Sheamus Murphy.
Andrew won last season’s meeting 42-27 with a senior-heavy team. The Thunderbolts will have a different look in 2025 but have senior offensive lineman Jake Palucki (Toledo) to open holes for athletes like senior running back/receiver/quarterback Camden Maniatis.
Look for Sandburg to turn to the running back duo of senior Luke Basiorka and junior Quinn Durkin early and often. Senior defensive back Vincent Smith (West Virginia) is a ballhawk.
X-factor: Will MacLeod, Andrew, senior, kicker/punter.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Sandburg.
Lincoln-Way East (12-1) at Maine South (8-4)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: These perennial Class 8A powers meet in Week 1 for the second straight season, with the Griffins winning 42-18 last season in Frankfort.
It will be a showdown of future Big Ten quarterbacks as Lincoln-Way East senior Jonas Williams (USC) squares off with Maine South junior Jameson Purcell (Indiana).
The Griffins will look for senior defensive linemen Jacob Alexander (Illinois) and Gage LaDere to put some pressure on Purcell.
X-factor: Blaise LaVista, Lincoln-Way East, senior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.