Mount Carmel, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way Central, Oak Forest and Richards are picks to click for Week 8,
Mount Carmel (5-2) vs. Joliet Catholic (5-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
Matchup breakdown: This Catholic League crossover continues the historic rivalry between the two programs with the most football state championships in Illinois High School Association history.
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The Hilltoppers have won four straight and are coming off their most impressive victory of the season with a 38-14 rout of St. Patrick (5-2).
While senior running back/linebacker Derrick Pomatto continues to pound away on the ground, the passing game has improved greatly over the year, with senior receiver Keegan Castagnoli emerging as a threat.
Mount Carmel’s offense, meanwhile, is always hard to keep up with. Senior quarterback Brady Cloherty is coming off his second seven-touchdown passing performance of the season in a 49-14 win over Providence. Opponents can’t continue to overlook junior tight end Ty Kennedy, who had three TD catches against the Celtics.
X-factor: Da’Sani Smart, Joliet Catholic, sophomore, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.
Lincoln-Way East (7-0, 5-0) at Lockport (4-3, 4-1)
Kickoff: 6:15 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: First place in the SouthWest Suburban Conference is on the line as Lincoln-Way East looks to stay perfect, while Lockport tries to extend its winning streak to five.
The Griffins are allowing an average of just six points through five conference games. Senior Colton Zvonar and junior Ryan Manzke lead a strong group of linebackers.
The Porters have scored at least 38 points every week during their four-game winning streak as senior quarterback Griffin Russell is on quite a hot streak. Junior receiver Jaxson Little is a major playmaker.
X-factor: Andrew Maloney, Lockport, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Lincoln-Way Central (4-3, 2-2) at Lincoln-Way West (4-3, 1-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The battle of New Lenox features two SouthWest Suburban Conference teams looking to snap two-game losing streaks.
Lincoln-Way Central could not get anything going in a 42-0 loss to Lincoln-Way East, but the Knights’ ground game has been successful most of the season behind senior running back Aiden Noto. Junior quarterback Gavin Ciesiun has shown continual improvement.
Lincoln-Way West, meanwhile, has struggled offensively over the last month. The Warriors have been held to 15 points or less in their last four games.
The Warriors’ defense, led by senior linebacker Austin Collins and junior linebacker Noah Saxour, has kept the team in games.
X-factor: Desmond Gill, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, tight end/running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way Central.
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Oak Forest (4-3, 3-1) at T.F. North (5-2, 4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: First place in the South Suburban Blue will be on the line in Calumet City.
T.F. North has allowed just 30 points over its first four conference games, including Friday’s 7-3 win over Lemont. Senior Osvaldo Roa has been a force on both sides of the line for the Meteors, while senior quarterback Jermaine Henley is a steady leader.
Senior running back William McMaster came through with a 3-yard TD run in the final minute to lift Oak Forest to a thrilling 26-21 win over Hillcrest in Week 7. Senior quarterback Ethan Copher is a threat with his legs as well as his arm for the Bengals.
X-factor: Neiko LeFlore, Oak Forest, senior, running back/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Oak Forest.
Richards (5-2, 4-0) at Shepard (4-3, 2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Richards comes into this game between District 218 rivals trying to maintain its perfect record in South Suburban Red play.
The Bulldogs are coming off an emotional, dramatic 28-25 comeback victory over Oak Lawn. Junior running back Jordan Lewis is tough to stop. He ran for 185 yards on 17 carries against the Spartans, including the game-winning 69-yard TD with 3:13 to go. Senior defensive back Chase Hughes is a playmaker in the secondary.
Junior running back Elijah Motley scored three TDs on the ground for Shepard in a 50-0 win over Argo. Junior quarterback Ashton Hite has thrown five TD passes in the Astros’ last two games and also is the team’s kicker.
X-factor: Eric Jacobs, Richards, senior, quarterback/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Richards.