And then there were three: A look at the DuPage teams in the semifinals

Saturday brought a mixed bag of results for DuPage County's six remaining football teams, but we remain three strong.

With farewells to Hinsdale South, Naperville Central and Wheaton Warrenville South, it's time to get behind our final playoff teams spread in three different classes.

Eyes on Five breaks down what we're looking at as Glenbard West, Montini and St. Francis head to the state semifinals.

1. Glenbard West:

What can you say about Glenbard West's playoff success since Chad Hetlet took over the program in 2007? His teams have won a playoff game in each of his eight seasons, and for the fifth time in seven years the Hilltoppers are in the semifinals.

It'll be a battle of unbeatens Saturday as No. 1 Stevenson heads to Duchon Field for a Class 8A matchup with the second-seeded Hilltoppers who, for the first time this season, consider themselves underdogs.

What makes this year's Glenbard West team different from the past is its lack of superstar power. Yeah, junior running back Sam Brodner has been in beast mode most of the season, but the big-time college-caliber talent isn't there.

Players like Chris Watt (Notre Dame, San Diego Chargers), Tommy Schutt (Ohio State), Johnny Caspers (Stanford), Jordan Walsh (Iowa) and others were known statewide as Glenbard West's top players the last several years.

This year? More than ever it's been a collective effort from a deceptively talented, deep group of guys.

2. Montini:

Shame on us for letting Montini lay in the weeds all season. Losses to Maine South, St. Rita and St. Francis put the Broncos there, but it really started last November when Sacred Heart-Griffin stunned Montini 38-28 in the Class 5A final.

Most programs never would settle into the weeds after a title game appearance, but Montini is no normal program. Four straight championships changed everything and launched expectations into another galaxy.

When the Broncos flashed the smallest sign of weakness with a 4-3 record, many folks counted them out. But starting with a Week 8 win over Fenwick, Montini began looking like its old self.

Specifically, the Broncos' defense kicked it up a notch. They've allowed an average of 11 points the last five games against some potent offenses.

Montini's offense — featuring quarterback Chuck Norgle, running back Prince Walker and receiver Leon Thornton III — has put up big numbers all year, but the rebirth of the defense is what will make the difference in Saturday's 5A showdown with top-seeded Geneseo (12-0) in Lombard.

3. St. Francis:

If you're looking for a coach of the year in DuPage County, you might just end your search with first-year St. Francis coach Mike Fitzgerald.

A college assistant for a few years before settling in as Marist's offensive coordinator during six playoff seasons, Fitzgerald took over the Spartans' program in February following Greg Purnell's retirement. A run-heavy Wing-T scheme quickly transformed into a pass-happy spread game.

It also transformed the Spartans (10-2) into Chicago Catholic Green champions making their first semifinal appearance since their 2008 state title run. St. Francis faces one of the state's stiffest challenges Saturday at unbeaten Nazareth.

Quite honestly, St. Francis is a huge underdog against a Roadrunners team that's pounded three playoff opponents by an average of more than 30 points. The Spartans, however, have shown underdog moxie since falling to 2-2 after back-to-back losses to Marmion and Brother Rice.

A Week 7 win over Montini was eye-opening, while playoff wins over Grayslake North and Lakes were heart-stopping.

Spartans fans are hoping for another thrill Saturday — one that'll send them to Champaign on Thanksgiving weekend.

4. Privatized:

As we mentioned here a few weeks ago, one of the recently unveiled IHSA bylaw amendment proposals would separate boundaried and non-boundaried schools for state series competition. That'd mean no more playoff games between private schools and public schools.

While private schools face a backlash in virtually every sport because of postseason dominance, the bad blood is especially strong in football. Nothing stirs statewide emotions more than an abundance of private schools in state championship football games.

How does this season shape up? Classes 1A to 4A have no remaining private schools in the football playoffs, while 8A is also an all-public school final four.

Private schools, however, are poised to make noise in Classes 5A, 6A and 7A.

Seven of the 12 semifinal spots in those three classes are claimed by private schools. We're guaranteed to have a private school finalist in 6A and 7A, where three of the final four teams are private schools.

It won't be an overwhelming presence in Champaign, but it may be just enough to sway some votes if the proposal is presented to the IHSA membership on the ballot in December. At a meeting on Nov. 24, the IHSA Legislative Commission will decide which of the 18 proposals go to a vote.

5. Stat time:

With Naperville Central and Wheaton Warrenville South both losing Saturday, this season marks the first time since 2008 that no DuPage Valley Conference football team is in the state semifinals.

The history of DVC semifinal appearances is quite remarkable. This is only the fourth time since 1985 that no conference team has made it to the final four in any class.

In the 41 seasons of IHSA playoff football, nine times there has been no DVC semifinalist. As a testament to the league's stunning playoff history, at least one DVC team reached a title game in 21 years.

Follow Kevin on Twitter @kevin_schmit