If Week 3 was relatively uneventful, as discussed in last week’s column, then it was simply the calm before another storm.
In Week 4, chaos returned. Two of the Southland’s five unbeaten teams went down as Homewood-Flossmoor coach Troy McAllister got the best of his former team, Sandburg, in a dominant 35-13 victory. Meanwhile, after an 0-3 start, Lockport roared to life with a 38-15 win over previously unbeaten Lincoln-Way West.
That leaves us with three undefeated teams — Lincoln-Way East, Oak Lawn and Providence. Of course, the last team on that list was responsible for the biggest shock of the weekend, firing coach Tyler Plantz.
Here are my takeaways from the final week of the first month of the season:
Southland race for player of the year race is wide open
As we near the midway point of the regular season, it’s time to start evaluating some big-picture scenarios for both individuals and teams. This week, we’ll take a look at individuals.
My biggest impression from the first month of the season, when it comes to individual stars, is that this feels like the most unpredictable Daily Southtown Player of the Year race I can remember.
Typically, by this point in the season, a small group of contenders has been established. I’m not sure that’s the case this year. But let’s make a top five, anyway.
We have to start by looking at Mount Carmel. After all, the Caravan has produced the last four winners of the award and is one of the top teams in the state again.
But who is the top contender at 64th and Dante? Senior quarterback Brady Cloherty has stepped right in and put up the typical big numbers associated with this offense.
However, Cloherty’s top targets — Michigan-bound senior receiver Quentin Burrell and junior receiver Marshaun Thornton — certainly will be in the discussion.
More Top Picks Is Salt Bad For Your Heart
So far, Thornton has been the most impressive skill player in the area in my eyes.
Brother Rice has two dominant defensive linemen is senior Brayden Parks, a Notre Dame recruit, and junior Kameron McGee. Of course, the Crusaders still need to hit full gear after a 2-2 start.
What about Lincoln-Way East, the No. 1 team in our rankings? Well, senior receiver Jayden Cawthon is making big plays all over in the passing game and with kick returns.
But the most consistently dominant player so far might be senior running back Broden Mackert, a Western Illinois recruit who has scored 10 touchdowns for Providence.
Right now? Let’s go with a top five of Mackert, Thornton, Cawthon, McGee and Parks. But there’s plenty of time for other top candidates to emerge.
We’re all wondering where Providence goes from here
Of course, if I’m going to talk about Mackert being one of the favorites for player of the year after Week 4, I’d be remiss not to address the elephant in the room.
How are the Celtics going to respond to the chaos of the last couple days? Losing your coach midseason, especially under these kinds of circumstances, is obviously a problem.
The statement Plantz released Monday raises plenty of other questions. If the issues within the program centered around the complaints of a few players and their families, as Plantz suggests, that can not be good for team chemistry.
Providence has undoubtedly been one of the state’s most impressive teams in the first month of the season. And interim head coach Adam Nissen has experience winning big games at St. Laurence.
But can the Celtics overcome this mess and win a Class 5A state title, something I would say they were certainly the favorite to do as of Friday night? I have my doubts at this point.
Let’s see how Providence responds against a desperate Nazareth team in Week 5.
Most eye-opening score
Lockport 38, Lincoln-Way West 15.
After an 0-3 start, the Porters certainly showed they’re not done yet.
Lockport averaged just 16 points over its first three games but caught fire offensively as senior quarterback Griffin Russell threw three TD passes and ran for another score.
The Porters have gone down this path before. They started 1-3 last season before winning eight straight games and making it all the way to the Class 8A semifinals.
More Top Picks Best Through The Wall Air Conditioners For Apartments
I’m expecting Lockport to get hot again. The schedule is friendly down the stretch. I think the Porters can finish 5-4 and host an opening-round game.
And if I’m a 9-0 or 8-1 team on a bye week awaiting my playoff opponent, I don’t want to see Lockport in my bracket.