Lincoln-Way East, Oak Lawn, Richards, Homewood-Flossmoor and Evergreen Park are picks to click for Week 5.
Lincoln-Way East (4-0, 2-0) at Sandburg (3-1, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Lincoln-Way East has rolled through the first two weeks of SouthWest Suburban Conference play, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 88-14.
Junior quarterback Evan LeFevour has settled in seamlessly, while junior receiver Jayden Cawthon continues to make big plays all over the field.
Sandburg was flying high until last week’s 35-13 loss to Homewood-Flossmoor. The Eagles will look to get back on track behind the combination of senior quarterback Sean Ruisz and senior tight end/receiver Lucas Matykiewicz, a Northern Illinois recruit.
Sandburg is a bit banged up and the Griffins are looking to avenge last season’s 21-13 loss to the Eagles.
X-factor: Aidan Cavanaugh, Lincoln-Way East, senior, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Oak Lawn (4-0, 2-0) at Shepard (2-2, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Shepard is looking to bounce back after dropping a 21-14 heartbreaker last week to Evergreen Park, which scored the game-winning touchdown in the final minute.
Junior quarterback Ashton Hite threw TD passes to Brendin Thomas and Jamaal White in the loss.
Oak Lawn, meanwhile, has cruised through the first month but figures to get tested much more over the rest of the regular season. The Spartans have outscored their opponents 228-37 behind junior quarterback Danny Strelow.
Senior running back Jayden Schlosser piled up four TDs in last week’s 62-7 win over Argo.
X-factor: Kamari Polk, Oak Lawn, junior, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Oak Lawn.
Richards (2-2) at Oak Forest (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
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Matchup breakdown: Heading into this South Suburban Conference crossover, both teams seem to be rounding into form after similarly up-and-down first months of the season.
Richards has won two in a row, including last week’s 41-13 victory over Reavis, and senior Eric Jacobs continues to improve in his first season as the starting quarterback.
The Bulldogs’ running game has picked up as well, with Marquise Charles and Jordan Lewis each scoring two TDs on the ground against the Rams.
Oak Forest rolled to a 53-6 win over Tinley Park last week behind 145 yards and three TDs from senior running back William McMaster. Senior running back/defensive back Neiko LeFlore is a big-play threat on both sides of the field.
X-factor: Ulysses Morales, Oak Forest, senior, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Richards.
Homewood-Flossmoor (3-1, 1-1) at Lincoln-Way Central (3-1, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Who can dictate the pace of play in this SouthWest Suburban Conference clash between two teams with very different styles?
Lincoln-Way Central will look to go on long drives and grind down the clock with its diverse running game that incorporates several ball carriers. Junior running back Austin Buerck was injured in last week’s 21-13 win over Lutheran North, but senior Aiden Noto stepped up with some strong runs.
H-F, meanwhile, can hit for a big play at any time on either side of the ball. That was evident in last week’s 35-13 win over Sandburg when the Vikings scored two TDs on fumble returns from Vito Pickard Jr. and Cameron Wilkerson.
X-factor: Desmond Gill, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, tight end/running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Homewood-Flossmoor.
Evergreen Park (3-1, 1-1) at Reavis (2-2, 0-2)
Kickoff: Noon Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: Evergreen Park has been on both sides of dramatic games through the first two weeks of South Suburban Red play, falling 20-13 to Richards and beating Shepard 21-14.
Junior quarterback Brady Bruen has been a poised leader for the Mustangs, while senior running Cory Isaac Jr. is a steady force on the ground.
Reavis is looking to get back on track after back-to-back losses in Oak Lawn, falling to both Oak Lawn and Richards by lopsided margins.
Junior receiver/running back Ahmed Everette is a playmaker for the Rams, while senior running back/linebacker Mikolaj Wrobel is a leader on both sides of the ball.
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X-factor: Cole Nardo, Evergreen Park, senior, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Evergreen Park.