Playoffs Week 2: Scouting the Metro Suburban

Class 5A

No. 14 Marian Central (6-4) at No. 11 Glenbard South (6-4)

Game time: 3 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Marian Central 31, No. 3 Antioch 9; Glenbard South 49, No. 6 Payton 31.

Outlook: Glenbard South coach Ryan Crissey predicted Marian Central's first-round win. The Hurricanes are physical up front with tackle Kevin Herbst and guard Dan Dusik and have been in playoff mode for a month after four straight losses in the tough East Suburban Catholic Conference. Back Scott Gavin heads the run game, but coach Mike Maloney likes balance in his "power spread" offense, quarterback A.J. Golembiewski's 1,361 yards passing more than Marian's 1,348 yards rushing. He'll be throwing into a Raiders secondary that is a team strength, picking off Payton three times last week. Glenbard South's offensive goal mirrors that game, when linemen Jon Lavin, Jake Jochums and Brandon Erffmeyer paced 459 yards rushing.

Advancement: The winner advances to the Class 5A quarterfinals against the winner between No. 2 Sterling and No. 10 Kaneland.

Class 3A

No. 5 IC Catholic Prep (9-1) at No. 4 Peotone (9-1)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Peotone Junior High School.

Last week: IC Catholic 55, No. 12 Watseka 6; Peotone 41, No. 13 Paxton-Buckley-Loda 20.

Outlook: Peotone coach Apostolos "Tolly" Tsiamas said when things are right "we're not even considering throwing the ball." Chandler Gartner, Dillon Buege and Ryan Brewer head a double-wing, double-tight end option whose 3,368 yards rushing are more than six times the Blue Devils' 528 yards passing. Ball and clock control are crucial against an ICCP squad averaging 51.5 points, but look for Peotone quarterback Trevor Schwiesow to uncork a long one or two to Jack O'Boyle to stretch the Knights' defense. Otherwise, Dylan Packer, Ricky Mysliwiec, Michael Johnson and Jack Enright create line stalemates, linebackers Kevin Cooke and Kemon Reese clean up and the ball goes back to Lazerick Eatman, 17 yards a carry against Watseka.

Advancement: The winner advances to the Class 3A quarterfinals against the winner between No. 1 Farmington and No. 8 Wilmington.