Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way West, Providence, Reavis and Mount Carmel are the picks to click for Week 3.
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Lincoln-Way East (2-0, 0-0) at Homewood-Flossmoor (2-0, 0-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This SouthWest Suburban Conference opener is a showdown between two teams off to exceptional starts.
Homewood-Flossmoor has yet to allow a point. Junior safety Zen Cambric has been a playmaker defensively for the Vikings, while senior quarterback Rahsaan Coleman is a steady leader capable of making things happen with his arm and legs.
Lincoln-Way East has come through in the clutch, rallying in the fourth quarter in each of its two wins over Brother Rice and Kankakee. Senior receiver Jayden Cawthon is a major playmaker in the return game in addition to offensively. Senior Jimeto Okafor has been a force on the defensive line.
X-factor: Tommy McCracken, Lincoln-Way East, senior, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Andrew (1-1, 0-0) at Lincoln-Way West (2-0, 0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both teams look to prove that they can be in the mix in what figures to be a highly competitive SouthWest Suburban Conference race.
Senior linebacker Austin Collins has 23 tackles through two games to lead the defense for Lincoln-Way West, which has allowed just seven combined points.
Sophomore Davey Koszulinski stepped in at quarterback for the Warriors in Week 2 and threw for 222 yards and four touchdowns.
Senior running back Landon Paredes and senior quarterback Jimmy Reilly are both major threats on the ground for Andrew, which is looking to bounce back from a 38-23 loss to Plainfield South.
X-factor: Braydon McNulty, Lincoln-Way West, junior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way West.
Joliet Catholic (1-1) at Providence (2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both teams take some momentum into the latest edition of the Holy War, which is also a Catholic League crossover.
Joliet Catholic pulled off a dramatic 21-14 win over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin behind senior running back/linebacker Derrick Pomatto, who ran for three TDs and forced a fumble. Sophomore Liam Huffman is settling in at quarterback.
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Providence’s running game, meanwhile, has been unstoppable. Senior Broden Mackert, a Western Illinois recruit, piled up 213 yards and five TDs in a 39-24 win over Kenwood, while junior Brayden McKay makes up the other half of the dangerous running back duo.
X-factor: DeAngelo Coates, Providence, junior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Providence.
Reavis (2-0, 0-0) at Oak Lawn (2-0, 0-0)
Matchup breakdown: A battle of South Suburban Red rivals looking to get to 3-0.
Senior quarterback Dardan Nreci has led Reavis to 86 points over the first two weeks under new coach Josh O’Shea. Junior running back Christian Del Bosque has been a force on the ground.
Senior fullback/defensive lineman Jayden Schlosser is a tough runner for the Spartans, while the Polk brothers — junior running back Kamari and senior two-way lineman Karmoni — are also leaders.
The Spartans are looking for some revenge after a 42-0 loss to the Rams last season.
X-factor: CJ Arevalo, Reavis, junior, receiver/running back/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Reavis.
Nazareth (1-1) at Mount Carmel (1-1)
Matchup breakdown: Two programs that have combined for seven state championships over the last four seasons meet up in this Catholic League crossover.
Mount Carmel, which has won four straight state titles, is coming off a ridiculous comeback win over St. Joseph Regional from New Jersey, rallying from a 30-0 deficit for a 48-44 victory.
While Caravan receivers Quentin Burrell and Marshaun Thornton deservedly get much of the attention, senior running back Nathan Samuels is an underrated playmaker who came through on a huge fake punt in Week 2.
Nazareth won three straight state championships from 2022 to 2024 before falling to Fenwick in a Class 6A semifinal last season.
Junior quarterback JJ Chapman, who joined the Roadrunners this fall after moving in from Wisconsin, has several Division I offers.
X-factor: Tavares Harrington, Mount Carmel, senior, defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.
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