Everyone eying 5-game win streak

Six area football teams - one mission.

That would be winning one of the 8 state championships awarded during Thanksgiving weekend at Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois.

Representing 4 of the state's 8 classes, our local squads have a chance of returning from Champaign with half of the first-place trophies.

This weekend would be a great time to start that magical 5-game winning streak needed to capture the state title.

Here's a closer look at our local teams and opening-round matchups:

Plano (5-4) at Aurora Christian (9-0), 1 p.m. Saturday

Coach Don Beebe's Eagles have been to the postseason before - actually each of the last seven years.

And they have a score to settle with Saturday's first-round opponent.

A year ago, then-junior quarterback Jordan Roberts guided the Eagles to the Class 3A semifinals before their title dreams were dashed following a 14-8 loss to eventual state champion Plano.

Roberts, the state's all-time touchdown passing and passing yardage leader, will have a shot at redemption when the top-seeded Eagles take on 16th-seeded Plano.

Top player: Roberts, QB.

Unsung hero: Lewis Gaddis, RB. While Roberts figures to draw plenty of attention from the Reapers, Gaddis could find extra running room.

Batavia (6-3) at Huntley (8-1), 7 p.m. Friday

How will the Bulldogs respond after last weekend's stinging 47-14 loss to archrival Geneva?

"I believe we're OK," said Batavia coach Mike Gaspari. "We had talked about putting the (Geneva) game behind us even before we began playing - because the season literally starts over now.

"We're just happy to be playing again."

Batavia, making its sixth consecutive postseason appearance, visits second-time playoff qualifier Huntley Friday night.

"We feel real good about our chances," said Gaspari. "We think it's a great draw and that being in 6A (instead of 7A) is a shot in the arm for our guys.

"But at the same time, Huntley has had a great year. Their attack is similar to Rochelle's. We'll have to play our best football to win."

A relatively calm night weather-wise might work in the Bulldogs' favor, as senior QB Jordan Coffey figures to test Huntley's pass defense.

Gaspari wouldn't mind the game turning into an offensive shootout.

Top players: Coffey, QB; Erich Zeddies, WR.

Unsung hero: Tyler Lindquist, WR.

"Tyler has virtually come out of nowhere this season," Gaspari said of the senior who saw no playing time last season. "He has made a lot of tough, possession-type catches for us."

Geneva (9-0) vs. Rolling Meadows (5-4), 4 p.n. Saturday

Making its fifth straight appearance, Geneva is no stranger to playoff action.

However, even coach Rob Wicinski admits there's a different feeling in the air as the Vikings prepare to take on Rolling Meadows in their Class 7A postseason opener Saturday.

"In years past, we've been flying under the radar somewhat," said Wicinski. "Nobody has expected much out of us.

"This is the first year that we've received as much publicity as we have and the expectations are so high. We keep reminding the players to be careful what you read."

The unbeaten, top-seeded Vikings will take on a dangerous Rolling Meadows team Saturday afternoon at Burgess Field.

"The Mid-Suburban League has produced 3 state champions the last 6-7 years," said Wicinski. "Their 5-4 record is a little different from the 5-4 teams in our conference."

Fueled by talented RB Michael Ratay, the Vikings are averaging nearly 40 points per game. Their defense has given up less than 10 points per contest.

"The key difference with this team is that we don't have to pass as much because of our defense," said Wicinski. "We can play field position."

Top player: Ratay, RB.

Unsung heroes: Brandon Beitzel, QB; Jack Delabar, TE.

"We're 9-0 and I bet most people can't even name our starting quarterback," said Wicinski. "I think he's due for a breakout game."

Kaneland (5-4) at Sterling (8-1), 3 p.m. Saturday

After a 1-year hiatus, Kaneland is back in the postseason as a Class 5A qualifier.

The 14th-seeded Knights will visit No. 3 Sterling Saturday afternoon with little to lose and everything to gain.

Before you count out Kaneland, remember that 3 of its 4 losses came against playoff qualifiers Geneva, Glenbard South and Batavia, and that Glenbard North advanced all the way to the 8A semifinals in 2007 after posting a 5-4 regular-season mark.

Top player: Joe Camiliere, QB.

Unsung hero: Blake Serpa, RB/WR.

St. Charles East (7-2) vs. Lake Zurich (6-3), 7 p.m. Saturday

One thing Saints coach Ted Monken shouldn't have to worry about Saturday night - complacency.

"All I had to tell them was that we're facing last year's (7A) state champions," he said. "That got their attention."

With what appears to be a favorable bracket, the Saints could make a deep postseason run in November.

"I'm just glad we're not going to Belleville West or East St. Louis in the opening round," said Monken. "I heard rumors that we were headed south before a possible second-round game against Geneva. If we survived that, we'd travel to East St. Louis for the quarterfinals.

"That would have been a scary proposition."

Nevertheless, Monken knows the Saints will face a solid defensive-minded Bears team Saturday night.

"They're a good football team," he said. "They're sound defensively. They'll play a 3-3 stack defense and stay in the same defense down after down."

Top player: Wes Allen, RB.

Unsung heroes: Dan White, WR/QB; Tyler Nutting, WR.

"When healthy, Dan gives us a great deal of diversity offensively," said Monken. "And Tyler Nutting has really come on at the receiver spot. He's quick and sure-handed."

St. Charles North (6-3) at Crystal Lake South (7-2), 7 p.m. Friday

It wouldn't surprise me if St. Charles North coach Mark Gould flashed a grin after learning of his team's opening-round playoff foe last weekend.

That's not meant to be a slight against Friday night's 7A opponent, Crystal Lake South.

It's just that back-to-back, first-round trips to Moline can get a little old.

Unlike last year when they limped into the playoffs with a 2-game losing streak, the 11th-seeded North Stars will carry some momentum to Crystal Lake after last Friday's 20-0 victory over Neuqua Valley.

With both teams allowing fewer than 2 TDs (12 points) per game, this could be a low-scoring battle decided by field position and a key late play.

Top player: Jake Juriga, LB.

Unsung heroes: Ben Dvorak, LB; Dominic Imbordino, LB; Mike Lefelstein, DB.