Mount Carmel, Richards, Lincoln-Way East, Sandburg and Brother Rice are picks to click for Week 7.
Providence (5-1) at Mount Carmel (4-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This Catholic League crossover is a test for two teams with major state championship aspirations.
Mount Carmel will be coming in angry after a 35-24 loss to Brother Rice. Senior linebacker Roman Igwebuike — a Notre Dame recruit — and Wisconsin-bound senior defensive lineman Darin Graham will be key in slowing the Celtics’ rushing attack.
Senior running back Broden Mackert, a Western Illinois recruit, is having a huge season for Providence, which is coming off a big 28-21 win over reigning Class 6A champion Fenwick. Sophomore defensive lineman Jaxson Hutton will look to pressure Mount Carmel senior quarterback Brady Cloherty and slow down the Caravan pass attack.
X-factor: Quentin Burrell, Mount Carmel, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.
Oak Lawn (6-0, 4-0) at Richards (4-2, 3-0)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
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Matchup breakdown: With first place in the South Suburban Red on the line, this crosstown clash has more excitement surrounding it than ever.
Oak Lawn, which has beaten the Bulldogs just once in the last three decades, hopes to change that behind a diverse running attack led by junior quarterback Danny Strelow and senior running back Jayden Schlosser.
The Spartans are 6-0 for the second year in a row — after going 0-9 in 2024 — but hope for a stronger finish this time after ending up 7-3 last fall.
Richards has won four in a row after an 0-2 start. Junior running backs Jordan Lewis and Marquise Charles will help the Bulldogs counter Oak Lawn’s ground game.
X-factor: Eric Jacobs, Richards, senior, quarterback/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Richards.
Sandburg (4-2, 1-2) at Lincoln-Way West (4-2, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: One thing to note heading into this SouthWest Suburban Conference game is that Lincoln-Way West’s record has changed since the last time the Warriors played.
Lincoln-Way West was awarded a win earlier this week when Kankakee forfeited its 28-14 victory from Week 5 for using an ineligible player.
The Warriors, though, would love to leave the field with a win for the first time since Week 3. Junior defensive back/running back Nick Elstner makes an impact on both sides.
Sandburg is thrilled to have Army commit Quinn Durkin back from injury. The senior receiver/running back helped the Eagles edge Lincoln-Way Central 21-17 on Friday.
X-factor: Vinny Annel, Sandburg, junior, running back/defensive back/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Sandburg.
Lincoln-Way East (6-0, 4-0) at Lincoln-Way Central (4-2, 2-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This SouthWest Suburban Conference showdown showcases a rivalry that has been rarely seen on the football field in recent years.
Believe it or not, these district foes have not played since 2020, when the Griffins won 41-0.
Lincoln-Way Central’s football program has certainly changed in a big way since then as former Lincoln-Way East assistant David Woodburn has led the Knights back to prominence over the last three seasons.
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The Knights will hope to grind out long possessions with senior running back Aiden Noto, while junior tight end/running back Desmond Gill is also a playmaker.
The Griffins rolled through the first month of conference play, winning all four games by at least 21 points behind the continually improved play of junior quarterback Evan LeFevour.
X-factor: Jayden Cawthon, Lincoln-Way East, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Fenwick (4-2) at Brother Rice (4-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Defending Class 7A champion Brother Rice hosts reigning Class 6A champion Fenwick in this Catholic League crossover.
The Crusaders are coming off their huge 35-24 win over Mount Carmel as freshman quarterback Sam Holcomb continues to dazzle.
Senior running back/defensive back Jake Thies, an Iowa recruit, is Fenwick’s star who Brother Rice’s tough defense will look to slow down.
X-factor: Aydan Yarbrough, Brother Rice, sophomore, running back/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Brother Rice.