You can look ahead to Week 9, but just take a peek
For weeks I've committed the cardinal sin of high school sports.
I've been looking ahead.
Can't help it.
Not that there's anything wrong with Week 8. DuPage County football games this weekend include a good tilt between Glenbard North and Naperville Central while St. Francis faces Immaculate Conception in a quality Suburban Catholic Conference matchup.
Plenty of interest in both of those tussles, but take a peek down the road. Have you checked out the Week 9 action?
Talk about a grand finale.
It starts with the showdown of all showdowns - Wheaton Warrenville South at Naperville North. Last year they played a triple-overtime thriller won by the Tigers as they claimed a third straight DuPage Valley Conference title. Should they survive this weekend, they'll meet again as unbeatens with the DVC crown on the line.
In the West Suburban Silver it all comes down to Glenbard West at Hinsdale Central next week. Again, that's assuming they both win this weekend.
The Hilltoppers are vying for their first unbeaten regular season since 1991, while Hinsdale Central, whose only loss came to WW South in the regular-season opener, continues to lay in the weeds as an underrated power.
Finally, the regular season closes with the latest chapter in arguably the state's best football rivalry. Next weekend in Lombard, Driscoll and Montini play to determine the likely SCC champion. The Saturday afternoon game will have an extra edge because it's aired live on Comcast Sports Net.
It's a dream weekend for high school football fans, except for one thing.
It's still a week away.
The titanic matchups form a sword of many edges because so much can happen between now and then.
You've got to love these weekends as a primer for the playoffs, a look at the top teams going head to head. In the case of WW South and Naperville North last year, the epic regular-season finale propelled both teams in a run toward state title game appearances.
And in the case of all three games, there's almost no chance of the teams meeting in a playoff rematch because they've traditionally wound up in different classes. This is the one and only opportunity to see them play.
But are there drawbacks as well?
What if teams are caught - gulp - looking ahead and suffer an upset loss this weekend? What if a key player gets hurt and hampers a postseason run? Will other teams benefit from resting players while the front-runners bang heads against each other in Week 9?
Will there be a letdown after such a huge regular-season finale?
All of that is possible. But it's well worth the risk.
Events like Week 9 make high school football unlike any other sport. In basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball the regular season offers dozens of chances to make an impact.
In football you have only nine shots - and the playoffs bring no guarantees.
You savor these weekends because they don't come around very often. And if you're a high school senior, this is when the sense of urgency truly kicks in.
However, that's the exact reason why Week 8 can't be ignored. A loss this weekend makes next week much less significant.
It's a fine line. It's also a nice problem to have when every game matters.
Maybe it is a bit dangerous to look too far ahead, but a simple peek never hurt anyone.
kschmit@dailyherald.com