Scouting Bartlett at Maine South

Class 8A

No. 5 Bartlett Hawks (8-2) at No. 4 Maine South Hawks (8-2)

When: Saturday at 1 p.m.

TV: Delayed broadcasts will air Saturday at 3 p.m. and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Comcast 100.

Last week: In first round action, Bartlett def. Dunbar, 55-14; Maine South def. Notre Dame 47-0.

Playoff history: Bartlett is making its 10th playoff appearance in 11 years. It's deepest playoff run was 2008, when Maine South defeated Bartlett in a Class 8A semifinal, 23-6. Maine South is the two-time defending 8A champion and has won 11 straight playoff games. It's last playoff loss occurred in the 2007 quarterfinals against Mt. Carmel, 21-14.

Head coaches: Tom Meaney, Bartlett; David Inserra, Maine South.

Just the facts: This is a matchup between two proud programs able to right themselves after early season stumbles. Maine South lost its first two games of the season to Schaumburg and Wheaton Warrenville South but has since reeled off 8 straight wins. The Hawks won the Central Suburban League South title outright as coach Dave Inserra won his 10th title in 10 years to improve to 50-0 in league play... Bartlett opened the season 1-2 before rallying for 7 straight victories, the second-longest winning streak in school history. The Hawks won a share of their fifth Upstate Eight Conference title in 10 years and coach Tom Meaney won his 50th game at Bartlett.

Bartlett leaders: Rushing: Andy Puccini (156 carries, 1,160 yards, 15 TD), AJ Bilyeu (61 carries, 322 yards, 8 TD); Passing: AJ Bilyeu (94 of 137, 1,361 yards, 18 TD, 6 Int.); Receiving: Zach Karys (33 rec., 764 yards, 10 TD), Russ Martin (31 rec., 512 yards, 9 TD). Tackles:

Maine South leaders: Rushing: Paul Preston (798 yards, 16 TD); Passing: sophomore Matt Alviti (131 of 181, 2,161 yards, 18 TD, 5 Int.); Receiving: Scott Derrick (28 rec., 585 yards, 6 TD), Luke Mottley (28 rec., 589 yards, 9 TD), Imran Khan (31 rec., 321 yards, 2 TD).

Line on Bartlett: The Upstate Eight co-champs have played without fear all season, particularly in a 10-9 loss at Crystal Lake South in Week 2. The Hawks have the ability to play well on the road, thanks to a defense that allows only 16 points per game (the offense averages 36.1). Bartlett defenders fly to the ball as evidenced by the even distribution of tackles between ends Randy Jackson (52) and Brian Polubinski (50), inside linebackers Kevin Kirchoff (50) and Mike Partyka (50) and free safety Aaron Thabuteau (50). An important player for Bartlett is senior two-way starting lineman Mark Pszczolkowski (6-2, 245). He'll contend with Maine South tackle Victor Nelson (6-7, 285), who committed in September to Boston College.

Line on Maine South: The swagger is back in Park Ridge now that the two-time state champs have won 8 straight. Last week, sophomore quarterback Matt Alviti completed 15-of-19 passes for 277 yards and 3 TD. “Their whole offense is seniors except for the quarterback, who is a sophomore,” Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. “He's quick, he's fast, he has a strong arm. He's a kid that just doesn't get hit. He finds a way to get away from pressure and he makes things happen for their offense. Our defensive backs really have to be able to defend for a long period of time. If he looks like he's going to get caught, he somehow backs out of it and moves real well. He's evasive, simple as that.” In the second half of the season, Bartlett added receivers Karys and Martin to the defense as cornerbacks. That pair along with safety Aaron Thabuteau and DBs Jamel Holloway and Joey Scaminaci must limit Alviti and the Maine South passing game.

Advancement: The winner will play the winner of today's 1 p.m. game: No. 8 South Elgin (7-3) at No. 1 Stevenson (10-0)