Mike Helfgot – Page 18

Western Michigan defensive back Justin Tranquill tackles Northern Illinois wide receiver Kenny Golladay during their game on Oct. 8, 2016, in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Tuesday’s matchup, prediction: Bowling Green at Northern Illinois

June 9, 2018 at 6:40 a.m.

TV/radio: 7 p.m. Tuesday, ESPNU, WIND-AM 560. Line: NIU by 16.5. Records: Bowling Green 1-7, 0-4 MAC; NIU 2-6, 2-2. Last meeting: With freshman walk-on Tommy Fiedler under center because...

Palatine quarterback Zach Oles gets past Notre Dame's Lucas Plakow during a Class 8A first-round playoff game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 in Palatine.

First-round bits: Fremd comes up huge; painful weekend for MSL QBs

May 12, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.

Good enough to be beat anyone on the right day and capable of losing to anyone on the wrong one. That was the assessment Fremd coach Lou Sponsel gave his...

New Trier's Anthony Nicholas makes a reception against Marist during a Class 8A first-round playoff game on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 in Chicago.

Clay Czyzynski leads New Trier to upset of No. 7 Marist

May 12, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.

Clay Czyzynski turned on the film of his opponent and turned to his coach, Brian Doll. "I said, 'They're good,'" Czyzynski said. "'That's all I can say.'" Czyzynski was more...

Hinsdale Central quarterback Josh Bean walks along the sideline after scoring a touchdown against Oak Park on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 in Hinsdale.

Mike Helfgot’s first-round blog: Picking all 16 8A games

May 12, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.

Class 5A is as weak as I can remember it, at least from a Chicagoland perspective, and the champion figures to come from below I-80. Class 6A is there for...

Game of the week: No. 13 Glenbard West at No. 9 Neuqua Valley

May 12, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.

Heading into the final night of the regular season, Loyola, Homewood-Flossmoor, Brother Rice and Neuqua Valley were the top four teams in the Tribune Top 20. One had to lose...

Loyola's Kyle Rock runs for a touchdown against Brother Rice on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 in Chicago.

8A bracket breakdown: Defending champ Loyola looks to navigate strong field

May 12, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.

Last season: Loyola defeated Marist 41-0. Favorite: Loyola. Dark horse: Oak Park. Best first-round game: Glenbard West at Neuqua Valley. Both were ranked in the Tribune's top five this season...

Bradley-Bourbonnais' mascot and cheerleaders get in the action during the Boilermakers' game against Lincoln-Way East on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 in Bradley.

7A bracket breakdown: Bradley-Bourbonnais top seed in up-for-grabs field

May 12, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.

Last season: Glenbard West defeated Libertyville 34-28. Favorite: East St. Louis. Dark horse: Lake Zurich. Best first-round game: St. Rita at Rockford Auburn. Auburn has won seven straight since a...

Prairie Ridge's Samson Evans drives through the Huntley line on Sept. 2, 2016 in Crystal Lake.

6A bracket breakdown: Montini’s title-game streak has serious roadblocks

May 12, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.

Last season: Montini defeated Crete-Monee 38-15. Favorite: Prairie Ridge. Dark horse: Crete-Monee. Best first-round game: St. Laurence at Richards. Both teams played challenging schedules and have the goods to make...

Nazareth running back Cameron Weems, left, carries the ball against St. Viator on Oct. 14, 2016 in Arlington Heights.

5A bracket breakdown: Lack of private power provides chance for downstate teams

May 12, 2019 at 8:08 p.m.

Last season: Nazareth defeated Lincoln-Way West 42-21. Favorite: Peoria. Dark horse: Peoria Notre Dame. Best first-round game: Peoria Notre Dame at Washington. Both seem like as good a bet as...

Northwestern wide receiver Solomon Vault celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against Indiana defensive back Marcelino Ball during the first quarter.

Northwestern comes out firing vs. Indiana, holds on for third straight win

June 9, 2018 at 9:02 a.m.

The offensive transformation from cloud of dust to pick your poison went on for another 30 minutes, then abruptly stopped. Consistent with the all-or-nothing nature of the Northwestern offense this...

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