St. Rita, Lincoln-Way West, Lockport, Richards and Mount Carmel are picks to click for Week 3.
Brother Rice (2-0) at St. Rita (1-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Crusaders are coming off a 35-0 rout of Marist. Junior defensive lineman Brayden Parks, sophomore defensive lineman Kameron McGee and sophomore tight end Jack McNamara have all picked up major Division I offers in the last week, further showcasing the superb talent level on this roster.
But Brother Rice can’t have a letdown against a St. Rita team that doesn’t have the flashy recruits but is full of hard-nosed players.
The Mustangs made some costly mistakes in a 35-14 loss to Mount Carmel, but junior receiver Donovan Evans continued to emerge as a playmaker for senior quarterback Steven Armbruster. Sophomore linebacker Jack Schapendonk had eight tackles against the Caravan.
X-factor: Brandon Johnson Jr., St. Rita, junior, running back.
More Top Picks Best Communication Boards For Nonverbal Autism
Steve Millar’s prediction: St. Rita.
Andrew (1-1) at Lincoln-Way West (2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: In the Southwest Valley Red opener for both teams, Lincoln-Way West will look to ride the momentum from its thrilling 21-17 win over Lockport, capped off by a 4-yard TD run from Jahan Abubakar with 12 seconds left.
Abubakar ran for 142 yards on 23 carries and two TDs and has been a consistent force for the Warriors. Sophomore defensive back Nick Elstner piled up 10 tackles to go with an interception against the Porters.
Andrew struggled mightily on offense in a 31-9 loss to Sandburg in Week 1 but got going in last week’s 44-29 win over Plainfield South. Junior running back Landon Paredes had two TD runs and one TD catch.
X-factor: Zach Hermanson, Lincoln-Way West, senior, kicker/punter.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way West.
Homewood-Flossmoor (1-1) at Lockport (1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This Southwest Valley Blue opener will be a rematch of a wild Week 9 game from last season, when the Porters rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit to stun the Vikings 36-32. The loss cost H-F playoff eligibility and ended up being the last game for coach Terrell Alexander.
Former Sandburg coach Troy McAllister is now at the helm of the Vikings, who have Division I recruits in senior receiver Myles Ellis (North Dakota State) and senior offensive lineman Kellen Gamble (Northern Illinois).
The 2024 win over H-F was the coming-out party for Lockport’s Chris Miller, who ran for 290 yards and five TDs in his first game at running back. Now a senior, Miller is the focal point of the Porters’ offense.
X-factor: Adam Kozak, Lockport, senior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lockport.
Richards (1-1) at Reavis (2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This is the South Suburban Red opener for both teams.
The Rams have not allowed a point through two weeks, beating De La Salle 42-0 and Thornton 30-0. Senior defensive end Parker Zasada leads on that side of the ball while junior quarterback Dardan Nreci has played well.
More Top Picks Best Hand Warmers
Things get much tougher this week for Reavis against the visiting Bulldogs, who will be fired up after a 27-7 loss to Sandburg.
Sophomore defensive back Pierre Ray has emerged as a playmaker for Richards, while senior quarterback Noah Escobedo continues to grow.
X-factor: Ahmad Buchanan, Richards, senior, receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Richards.
Mount Carmel (2-0) at Nazareth (2-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: A battle of powerhouse programs that have each won three straight state championships, Nazareth in Class 5A and Mount Carmel in 7A. Both teams have moved up a class this season.
The Caravan has rolled to 78 points in two games behind senior quarterback Emmett Dowling and a host of playmakers led by junior receiver Quentin Burrell.
Mount Carmel will look to limit Nazareth senior receivers Trenton Walker and Jake Cestone, an Illinois State commit.
X-factor: Joey Quinn, Mount Carmel, senior, defensive lineman.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.