St. Laurence, Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, Sandburg and Mount Carmel are picks to click for first round of the playoffs.
St. Laurence (5-4) at Oak Lawn (7-2)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Vikings enter the Class 6A playoffs having won just one of their last four games, but it was a big one. That 35-19 victory over St. Patrick in Week 7 sealed a spot in the postseason.
The losses in that stretch came to Fenwick, Brother Rice and Montini — who have a combined record of 23-4.
St. Laurence’s defense has been stingy and sophomore quarterback Noah Taylor has learned a lot.
Oak Lawn has been a feel-good story after going 0-9 last season, but can the Spartans bounce back from a 42-0 loss to Reavis in Week 9? Oak Lawn also features a sophomore quarterback in Danny Strelow.
X-factor: Matt Williams, St. Laurence, senior, receiver/defensive back.
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Steve Millar’s prediction: St. Laurence.
Reavis (6-3) at Lincoln-Way Central (8-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Knights are looking to make another deep run in Class 7A after reaching the semifinals last year.
Senior running back Justin Cobbs is having a big season running behind a veteran offensive line, while senior lineman Aiden Hennings leads the defense.
On the other side, coach Tim Zasada’s son, Parker — a senior lineman — anchors a tough defense for Reavis, which has allowed only 67 points all season. The Rams have also been opportunistic scoring touchdowns on defense and special teams.
X-factor: Lucas Andresen, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, receiver/running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way Central.
Stevenson (6-3) at Lincoln-Way East (7-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Patriots and Griffins meet in the Class 8A playoffs for the second straight year. Last season, Lincoln-Way East rolled to a 45-0 quarterfinal win.
This time around, the Griffins limp into the postseason on a two-game losing streak but hope to get healthy and back in gear.
The status of senior quarterback Jonas Williams, a USC recruit, will certainly be on everyone’s mind, but he’s not the only Division I prospect with a questionable status.
Senior defensive lineman Jacob Alexander, an Illinois commit, also missed the last two games with an injury. Senior receiver Blaise LaVista, a Washington recruit, departed early in Week 9.
Stevenson is looking to bounce back from a 49-9 loss to Lake Zurich.
X-factor: Grant Urban, Lincoln-Way East, senior, kicker/punter.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Loyola (4-4) at Mount Carmel (9-0)
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: Here we go again. The Caravan and Ramblers will play for the second straight week.
In its first Class 8A playoff game, Mount Carmel — which won the last three Class 7A state championships — runs immediately into the three-time defending 8A champs.
The Caravan won the Week 9 game 35-24 in Wilmette and will look to follow a similar recipe for success with senior quarterback Emmett Dowling continuing to thrive while surrounded by a plethora of weapons, including junior receiver Quentin Burrell.
Sophomore receiver/tight end Jordan McKinley, who is already receiving major Division I interest, is a player to watch for Loyola.
X-factor: Marshaun Thornton
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, Mount Carmel, sophomore, receiver.Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.
Lockport (6-3) at Sandburg (7-2)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: This Class 8A battle is another rematch. Lockport dominated a Week 7 game in Orland Park, beating the Eagles 28-7.
Sandburg lost junior quarterback Sean Ruisz in the middle of that game, but he figures to be healthy for this one and has momentum coming off a 21-13 win over Lincoln-Way East.
The Eagles’ defensive front, led by senior lineman Jaden Weaver, hopes to get some pressure on senior quarterback Brendan Mecher.
Mecher, a dual threat, has led the Porters on a five-game winning streak with the help of senior running back Chris Miller.
X-factor: Adam Kozak, Lockport, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Sandburg.