Redhawks can think seed; Panthers still on bubble

"On the bubble" sounds like a nice, safe spot to relax.

For teams like Glenbard North and so many others, though, it's the last place you want to be going into the final week of the regular season.

With Naperville Central's 35-28 win over the Panthers Friday night, one DuPage Valley Conference team stayed on the bubble and one team gladly jumped off.

Naperville Central sits with a 5-3 record and 40 playoff points -- a combination virtually guaranteeing the Redhawks a playoff berth regardless of next week's result against Glenbard East.

Glenbard North, meanwhile, precariously hovers at 4-4. Next week the Panthers must beat West Aurora -- another 4-4 team -- to make it to the postseason.

Needless to say, Naperville Central probably slept a little easier Friday night.

"It takes off a lot of stress knowing that next week -- we won't take it easy, but we don't have to worry about not making the playoffs," said Redhawks receiver Mike Schmitz.

For the Panthers the playoffs begin with next Friday's regular-season finale.

"It's like I told the kids, now we can start talking about the playoffs because if we don't win, we're not in," said Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens. "We have nothing to think about but the playoffs and beating West Aurora. We'll try to go in 5-4 and take our chances."

It's unlike last year when both Glenbard North and the Redhawks qualified at 6-3. The sense of urgency has shifted for Glenbard North, which won its fifth game in Week 7 last season, but the motivation level hasn't changed for either team.

"The difference between 5-4 and 6-3 seed-wise can be huge," said Naperville Central coach Mike Stine. "If we were 5-4 you're probably guaranteed an 8-1 or 9-0 (opponent). Last year we were 6-3 and got a home game."

No doubt it's a much better feeling to be thinking about seeding rather than simply qualifying.

The Redhawks appear to be safely in the playoffs, but there are many worried area teams heading into Week 9 as Fenton, Glenbard North, Glenbard West, Neuqua Valley and Wheaton North sit on the 4-4 bubble.

They all know the situation.

"Our slogan for this week was 'Win and we're in,' " said Redhawks quarterback Harrison Daniels. "We won so we've just got to head over to Glenbard East next game, get that win and get a better seeding in the playoffs."