Brother Rice, Marian Catholic, Providence, Andrew and Mount Carmel are the picks to click in the Southland’s season openers.
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Brother Rice (13-1 last season) at Lincoln-Way East (9-3)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: It’s a private vs. public showdown to open the season as the defending Class 7A champion Crusaders roll into Frankfort.
Brother Rice’s star-studded defensive line, led by Notre Dame-bound senior Brayden Parks and junior Kameron McGee —who is rated as the top recruit in the country in the junior class by 247 Sports — will look to harass whomever the new Lincoln-Way East quarterback is.
The Griffins will hope senior offensive lineman Mason Halliman, an Illinois recruit, can open up some holes in the running game. Central Michigan commit Charlie Palmer, a senior in the secondary, leads the defense.
X-factor: Jameson Davis, Brother Rice, senior, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Brother Rice.
Marian Catholic (3-7) at Bloom (4-5)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The battle of Chicago Heights will make for an exciting start to the season for both teams that are looking to take some big strides after missing the playoffs last year.
Marian has some experienced skill players on offense, including senior receivers Andrew Goers and Jazarris Mackmore, a baseball standout. Defensive lineman Elijah Reynolds and two-way lineman Hector Botello are senior leaders up front.
Bloom, which narrowly missed the playoffs in the first season for coach Dante Culbreath in 2025, has a high-major recruit in explosive junior receiver Javion Hatten, who has an offer from Pittsburgh.
X-factor: Antonio Burton, Marian Catholic, senior, running back/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Marian Catholic.
Providence (10-4) at St. Rita (9-5)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: A pair of 2025 state runners-up meet in this battle of Augustinian schools. Pope Leo XIV may be interested in the outcome.
St. Rita, coming off a second-place state finish in Class 7A, returns solid cores on both sides of the ball. Senior running back Brandon Johnson Jr., who committed to Lindenwood in the offseason, will look to get loose behind senior offensive linemen Mitch Street and Greg Zaber. Senior defensive lineman Ohimai Ozolua, a Michigan State recruit who transferred from Romeoville, is a big addition.
The Celtics, who placed second in 5A, have the area’s most proven quarterback in junior Dominic Vita, plus the running back duo of senior Broden Mackert — a Western Illinois recruit — and junior Brayden McKay
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.X-factor: John Fennell, St. Rita, senior, quarterback/athlete.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Providence.
Oak Forest (11-2) at Andrew (5-5)
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Oak Forest was one of the area’s best stories last season, advancing all the way to the Class 5A semifinals, marking the third Final Four run in program history.
The Bengals said goodbye to a special senior class which led that team, but returns some major playmakers in senior running backs William McMaster and Ethan Copher and senior receiver/defensive back Neiko LeFlore.
Andrew also graduated a large group of seniors from last season and is searching for some new standouts. Senior offensive lineman Drew Santiago will open up holes for senior running back Landon Paredes.
X-factor: Ulysses Morales, Oak Forest, senior, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Andrew.
East St. Louis (10-4) vs. Mount Carmel (14-0)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday at Hancock Stadium, Normal.
Matchup breakdown: Two of the state’s perennial powerhouses will open the season in Normal, where they hope to return on Thanksgiving weekend. Mount Carmel is on a quest for its fifth straight state championship and is loaded with high-major talent on both sides of the ball.
Senior defensive back Tavares Harrington — a Michigan recruit — and Notre Dame commit Roman Igwebuike, a senior linebacker, lead the defense. Senior Ryder Startz steps in at quarterback.
East St. Louis is undoubtedly full of motivation after its shocking 38-28 loss to Fenwick in the last year’s Class 6A championship game. Senior running back Myson Johnson-Cook, an Auburn recruit, and senior defensive back Raheem Floyd, a Florida commit, are stars for the Flyers.
X-factor: Quentin Burrell, Mount Carmel, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.