Mount Carmel, Oak Lawn, Sandburg, Homewood-Flossmoor and Morgan Park are the picks to click for Week 6.
Mount Carmel (4-1, 1-0) at Brother Rice (3-2, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This Catholic League Blue showdown has been highly anticipated since last December, when Mount Carmel won the Class 8A state championship and Brother Rice captured the Class 7A title.
The Caravan Is averaging 49 points over a four-game winning streak as senior quarterback Brady Cloherty has developed a strong connection with his many weapons, including senior receiver Quentin Burrell, a Michigan recruit.
Senior Rocco Galasso and freshman Sam Holcolmb have shared time at quarterback for Brother Rice, which bounced back from a 27-24 loss to Loyola in Week 4 with a convincing 63-28 win over Notre Dame.
X-factor: Marshaun Thornton, Mount Carmel, junior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.
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Oak Lawn (5-0, 3-0) at Evergreen Park (4-1, 2-1)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Oak Lawn comes into this South Suburban Red showdown having won all its games by at least 25 points, including last week’s 49-24 victory over Shepard.
Senior running back Jayden Schlosser ran for four touchdowns against the Astros, bringing his season total to 14. Junior receiver/running back Kamari Polk has been another big playmaker for the Spartans and junior quarterback Danny Strelow.
Evergreen Park pulled off a dramatic 14-13 victory Friday over Reavis as sophomore receiver Jaylen Chothen ran for the game-winning 2-point conversion.
The Mustangs have had three straight games decided by one score, winning two and losing one.
X-factor: Garret Kazmierowicz, Evergreen Park, senior, running back/defensive lineman.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Oak Lawn.
Lincoln-Way Central (4-1, 2-0) at Sandburg (3-2, 0-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Lincoln-Way Central looks to stay perfect in SouthWest Suburban play while Sandburg wants to snap a two-game losing streak and get its first conference victory.
The Knights pulled off a remarkable comeback Friday night against Homewood-Flossmoor, trailing 27-10 with under 10 minutes to go and rallying for a 38-27 victory behind two TD catches from junior tight end Desmond Gill.
Senior quarterback Sean Ruisz has scored five TDs on the ground and thrown for four more for Sandburg, while Northern Illinois recruit Lucas Matykiewicz has five TD catches.
X-factor: Zachary Trippeer, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, kicker/punter.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Sandburg.
Lincoln-Way West (3-2, 1-1) at Homewood-Flossmoor (3-2, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This SouthWest Suburban Conference matchup features two teams trying to bounce back from tough losses.
Homewood-Flossmoor let a 27-10 lead slip away over the final 10 minutes in a 38-27 loss to Lincoln-Way Central.
The Vikings’ defense has otherwise been strong behind senior lineman David Hill, a Wisconsin recruit. On the other side of the ball, senior quarterback Rahsaan Coleman is a steady leader.
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Lincoln-Way West has dropped its last two games, including Friday’s 28-14 loss to Kankakee. Senior quarterback Jacob Howard is back for the Warriors after missing time with an injury. He threw a 9-yard TD pass to Braydon McNulty in the loss to the Kays.
X-factor: Nick Elstner, Lincoln-Way West, junior, running back/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Homewood-Flossmoor.
Morgan Park (4-1, 2-0) vs. Simeon (1-4, 1-1)
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Rockne Stadium.
Matchup breakdown: These Public League Red Star rivals come into this game going in opposite directions.
Morgan Park has won four straight games since a season-opening 17-12 loss to Downers Grove North and has outscored its two league opponents by a combined score of 119-7.
Junior quarterback Ronald Smith Jr., who has thrown 11 TD passes, is spreading the ball around as 12 Mustangs have at least one catch and six have at least one TD catch.
Senior defensive back Antonio Richardson is a playmaker who has three interceptions.
Simeon has struggled against a tough schedule, but senior James Bell is a talented running back with Division I offers.
X-factor: Kenneth Sims, Morgan Park, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Morgan Park.