Now or never for playoff push

Now that we've put two-thirds of the regular season in the rear-view mirror, it's time to take a look at several teams that will need to step things up over the next three weeks if they want to be included in the IHSA football state playoff field.

Prospect (3-3) at Wheeling (3-3):ŒBoth teams play in the Mid-Suburban East and both teams are in a must win situation this week. Wheeling just missed the state playoff field last season posting a 4-5 record. Wheeling is also low on playoff points (20) heading into this game, and I'm sure coach Dave Dunbar is preaching at least six wins to guarantee a state playoff spot.

Thornton (2-4):ŒCould the Wildcats become the first team to go from a 0-4 start to a 5-4 finish and a conference championship in the SICA East? Conference rival TF South (5-1) will try to derail the surging Wildcats' plans this week.

North Suburban Lake:ŒSo far Lake Zurich (5-1) and Lake Forest (5-1) look pretty solid heading toward a state playoff bid. And then? The Lake Division is pretty wide open with plenty of drama on the way over the next three weeks for Warren (3-3), Stevenson (3-3), Libertyville (3-3) and Mundelein (2-4).

Western Sun Conference:ŒSpeaking of drama, other than the Geneva Vikings (6-0), who have clinched a state playoff spot, the remaining seven teams from the Western Sun are still thinking state playoff bid. Crazy.

Marmion (3-3):ŒThe Cadets, thankfully, are finished with the Big Three from the Suburban Catholic Conference slate (Marian Central, Montini and Driscoll are a combined 18-0 this season) and now will look to capture a state playoff bid.

Providence Catholic (2-4):ŒDeja vu all over again for the Celtics? Last season Providence started with a 1-4 record and then went on a seven-game winning steak that ended in the Class 7A state semifinal round. This fall? The Celtics are looking at a must-win scenario over the next three weeks to gain a state playoff berth.