Lincoln-Way West, Marist, Lemont, Reavis and Lockport are picks to click for the opening round of the playoffs.
Mundelein (3-6) at Lincoln-Way West (5-4)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Lincoln-Way West heads into this Class 7A opening-round game looking to continue a streak of playoff success. The Warriors have won at least one playoff game the last three seasons and made quarterfinal appearances in two of them.
After missing time with an injury earlier in the season, senior quarterback Jacob Howard is rounding back into form for the Warriors. Howard is dangerous with his legs, which he showed in Week 8 by running for 167 yards and the game-winning 35-yard TD in a 14-10 win over Lincoln-Way Central.
Mundelein won its first three games before losing six straight to end the regular season, but four of the defeats were by single digits. Senior linebacker Chris Roi had 10 tackles, an interception and a sack in Friday’s 28-24 loss to Lake Forest.
The winner plays at Plainfield North (7-2) in the first round.
X-factor: Austin Collins, Lincoln-Way West, senior, linebacker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way West.
Neuqua Valley (3-6) at Marist (5-4)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Marist looks to shake off Friday’s 49-6 loss to rival Brother Rice and get ready for this Class 8A opener.
The RedHawks have shown big-play potential behind the brotherly connection of junior quarterback Jake Fleming and sophomore receiver Conor Fleming.
Neuqua Valley’s record could look much different as the Wildcats lost three games by seven points or less and their other three losses are to teams with a combined record of 26-1.
Junior Tyler VanderLaan ran for two TDs in Neuqua’s 21-17 loss to Naperville Central in Week 9.
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The winner plays at Mount Carmel (7-2) in the first round.
X-factor: Conor Hunt, Marist, senior, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Marist.
Peoria (4-5) at Lemont (5-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This Class 5A clash features two programs who are accustomed to making deep playoff runs.
Lemont has been up and down all season but seems to be peaking after a 38-26 win over Oak Lawn in Week 9. Junior quarterback Ryan Plahm can depend on senior running back Andrew Ascolani to get the job done on the ground.
High-flying Peoria is averaging 34 points but allowing an average of 31 and has reached both extremes the last two weeks, beating Urbana 70-7 and losing 72-22 to Peoria Notre Dame
The winner plays at downstate Morton (8-1) in the first round.
X-factor: Andrew Guzy, Lemont, senior, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lemont.
Reavis (4-5) at Elgin (5-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Matchup breakdown: This Class 7A game is notable for the opportunity it presents to Reavis.
The Rams have not won a playoff game since 2015 but will look to change that behind the quarterback duo of senior Dardan Nreci, a dual threat, and junior Nicolas Gutierrez, who has added an extra passing element to the offense.
Elgin is looking to snap an even longer streak than Reavis, having not won a playoff game since 2010. Senior running back Anthony Foster has gone over 1,000 yards and ran for 15 TDs.
The winner will travel to East St. Louis (8-1) in the first round.
X-factor: Ahmed Everette, Reavis, junior, receiver/running back/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Reavis.
Stevenson (4-5) at Lockport (5-4)
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This Class 8A game features two opponents meeting for the first time since the 2002 8A state championship game, which Lockport won 35-14.
This time around, both teams are coming in after inconsistent regular seasons, but both have been much better over the last five weeks.
The Porters started 0-3 but have gone 5-1 since, with the only loss to Lincoln-Way East. The development of senior quarterback Griffin Russell has been the biggest key.
The Patriots have won four of their last five after starting 0-4.
The winner plays at Bolingbrook (8-1) in the first round.
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X-factor: Andrew Maloney, Lockport, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lockport.