Here’s how Chicagoland high school football teams fared in Week 7 of play.

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Richards 28, Oak Lawn 25

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Richards' Eric Jacobs (5) scrambles past Oak Lawn's Khalid Eid (10) during a South Suburban Conference game Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 in Oak Lawn, IL. (Steve Johnston/for the Daily Southtown)
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Missing some of his normal players on special teams due to injuries and other issues, Richards coach Tony Sheehan has turned to senior quarterback Eric Jacobs to return kicks over the last two weeks.

Jacobs was a kick returner last season when he played defensive back. But now that he’s the starter behind center for the Bulldogs, he received some special instructions to stay safe. He didn’t quite take that advice to heart, however.

“I kind of feel like if I get the ball, I’m looking to score,” Jacobs said. “The coaches will be like, ‘Eric, you’re our quarterback, you need to get down. Once you get to contact, slide.’ I don’t do that. I try to find an open gap, try to get yards and if I get to score, I get to score.”

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That’s exactly what Jacobs did to ignite Richards in the fourth quarter. His 65-yard kickoff return for a touchdown started a late comeback for the host Bulldogs, who ended up rallying for a 28-25 South Suburban Red win over crosstown rival Oak Lawn. Read more here.

Mount Carmel 49. Providence 14

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Mount Carmel's Marshaun Thornton (3) elevates for a one-handed grab on fourth down against Providence during a CCL crossover game in Chicago on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / for the Daily Southtown)
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Senior receiver Quentin Burrell came to Mount Carmel for several reasons. Partially because of the pageantry of the football program. Partially because of the glory that surrounds it.

The Michigan recruit also makes the trek every day from Evanston knowing that while Ann Arbor holds his future, the final year of being a star high school athlete is something to cherish and relish.

“I’m going to be in college soon, but right now, i have to play where my feet are and do the best things I can,” Burrell said with his trademark smile. “My life revolves around this building. I’m very glad that all the hard work is paying off.”

That payoff came in bunches Friday night for the host Caravan. Burrell contributed four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown in a 49-14 Catholic League crossover win over Providence in Chicago. Read more here.

Lincoln-Way East 42, Lincoln-Way Central 0

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Lincoln-Way Central's Matthew Kowal (10) runs the ball on a keeper against Lincoln-Way Central's Evan Vogt (83) during a Southwest Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Sean King / for The Daily Southtown)
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Lincoln-Way East is happy to have Jack back.

Junior receiver Jack Murphy is a speedster who was slowed down by a hamstring injury, missed some time and has slowly worked his way back into the lineup for the Griffins.

In the third game since making his return, Murphy let loose.

He caught eight passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns — all in the first half — to lead Lincoln-Way East to a 42-0 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over host Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox. It was the first time these two district rivals have played in football since spring 2021. Read more here.

South Elgin 29, West Aurora 27

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South Elgin's Danny Moscoso (48) pumps his fist after making the wininng 32-yard field goal against West Aurora during an Upstate Eight Conference game in South Elgin Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
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Senior kicker Danny Moscoso is used to being in pressure situations for South Elgin, even though it’s usually a different kind of football. He’s the goalkeeper for the soccer team.

Over the past two seasons, Moscoso has faced plenty of big moments for that program, but over the summer, he decided to try his hand — and foot — at kicking for the football team. Has he ever been in this situation?

“In this sport, no, but in soccer, yes,” Moscoso said of handling tense scenarios before in the latter stages of an important game. “Last year, I was under a lot of pressure. I’m used to pressure.”

He experienced a whole different type of pressure to close Friday’s slugfest against West Aurora.

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With the Upstate Eight West title hanging in the balance, Moscoso made a 32-yard field goal with four seconds left on the clock, lifting host South Elgin to a dramatic 29-27 win over West Aurora. Read more here.

Naperville North 42, DeKalb 14

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Naperville North’s Charlie Neumann (17) gains yards against Dekalb during the game in Naperville on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (James C. Svehla / for the Naperville Sun)
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Naperville North senior Dante Colasante is on the short side for a quarterback. But the 5-foot-9, 170-pound left-hander is long on talent and desire.

While the Huskies prefer to run first and pass second, Colasante has been effective when he drops back. He has completed 78 of 118 passes (66.1%) for 942 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions, and he has been sacked just four times.

Colasante’s passing production is a classic case of quality over quantity. That was evident when he completed 6 of 12 passes for 115 yards, three of which went for touchdowns, during Naperville North’s 42-14 DuPage Valley Conference win over visiting DeKalb. Read more here.

Highland Park 37, Deerfield 16

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Highland Park's Mason Auslander, left, returns an interception against Deerfield during a Central Suburban League Central game in Deerfield on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Talia Sprague / News-Sun)
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Highland Park junior Mason Auslander didn’t know what to expect in his first varsity football camp this summer as he tried to make a positive impression. As one of several players vying for time at cornerback, Auslander knew his ability to read opposing offenses’ intentions and receivers’ tendencies was critical.

But it may have been even more important for him to read the room.

“Going into Week 1, an away game against Leyden, I was thinking I just want to keep my spot for the first home game,” he said. “Second game, at home, I had a phenomenal experience but realized that people behind me on the depth chart are coming for my spot. If I mess up, they’re going to take it, and I couldn’t let that happen.”

Auslander did not, and it’s fair to say no one will be taking snaps from him anytime soon. He made his third interception of the season during the Giants’ 37-16 Central Suburban League Central road win over Deerfield. Read more here.

IC Catholic 42, Benet 14

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IC Catholic Prep's Nate Lang (13) slips out of the pocket and moves upfield against Benet Academy Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 during a football game at Benedictine University in Lisle. (Brian Hill/Daily Herald)
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IC Catholic has been winning on both sides of the ball this season, and Jaden Penna typified that trend in the first half alone.

Penna, a senior wide receiver/defensive back, caught one of his two touchdown passes from senior quarterback Nate Lang and intercepted a pass as the Knights took a 28-7 halftime lead against Benet.

“Yeah, it was a good night out there,” Penna said. “But I would not have done it if my quarterback wasn’t putting the ball there for me and if the defense wasn’t out there doing their job.”

Penna, who totaled four catches for 97 yards in IC Catholic’s 42-14 road win in Lisle, already was looking ahead. Read more here.

Hobart 42, Hanover Central 14

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Hobart’s Jesse Williams heads for the end zone to score against Hanover Central during a Northwest Crossroads Conference game in Hobart on Oct. 2, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune).
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Hobart quarterback Aleks Tatum had an idea about what senior night might be like for him.

But Tatum, who is in his third season as the Brickies’ starter, might not have realized the full scope of the moment until it came.

“Very emotional,” he said. “I suppose every senior goes through it, but it really goes in the blink of an eye. To think that it was just a few years ago I was starting as just a sophomore, and I got my first look on special teams as a freshman. So it’s really crazy to see how you go through so many friendships. I’ve been through three groups of seniors, and those guys were such good role models for me.

“So sometimes I just reflect it on myself and really think about what I’m leaving behind, not just for the team but for this community — because at the end of the day, this is a community.”

Tatum put together a worthy performance during a Northwest Crossroads Conference game against Hanover Central on Friday. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder completed 8 of 12 pass attempts for 210 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for 77 yards as the Brickies topped the Wildcats 42-14.

Read more here.