Don't judge a football team by its record - yet

As we hit the midway point of the regular season for high school football, certainties and uncertainties are starting to emerge.

With a fifth victory this weekend, unbeaten Glenbard North, Glenbard West, Wheaton Academy, Wheaton Warrenville South and York will virtually clinch a playoff berth. Winless teams dropping a fifth game, meanwhile, are almost certainly eliminated from playoff contention.

Everything else remains a mystery. Even at midseason, you can't judge a team by its record.

While many teams with .500 records and below appear bound for a season without the playoffs, for some the opposite is true. A handful of teams are actually hitting their stride.

"We try to keep the kids grounded, but we feel like we can still be successful," said Fenton coach Mark Kos, whose team improved to 2-2 with last week's win over Ridgewood. "We believe in our kids and we believe we have the talent to run the table if we keep working hard."

It's true Fenton struggled in losses to Leyden and Glenbard South that quickly dropped the Bison into a hole. In the Metro Suburban Conference, though, they can get healthy just as quickly.

Fenton plays the three other MSC teams twice. Against competition that's posted a combined 2-10 record thus far, it's not difficult to see how the Bison can reach 7-2 and a berth in the Class 6A playoffs.

Addison Trail (2-2) is in a similar position. Like Fenton, the Blazers had a tough start with losses to Wheaton North (3-1) and Lyons Twp. (4-0). And because Glenbard West (4-0) and West Suburban Gold-favored Downers Grove South (2-2) are coming up on the schedule, little margin for error remains.

Don't count out the Blazers for the playoffs, though. If they can beat Proviso East, Willowbrook and Leyden - teams with a combined 2-10 record - they'll likely be a 5-win qualifier based on playoff points.

Regardless of the difficult games in the past and in the next few weeks, a postseason berth is a realistic possibility for Addison Trail.

"That's what I've been telling the kids, you have to look at the big picture," said Addison Trail coach Paul Parpet Jr. "We've got a real opportunity here because we control our own destiny."

Lisle's another team not out of the playoff picture despite a 1-3 record. Last week's overtime loss to unbeaten Wilmington showed the Lions' potential. Only one opponent remains with a winning record, giving Lisle a glimmer of hope for the playoffs.

Perhaps the most interesting team heading down the stretch is Hinsdale Central (1-3). At face value it's been a rough start for the Red Devils, but look at their early schedule that featured losses to unbeaten Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbard West and Lyons Twp.

Hinsdale Central remains a potential playoff qualifier, even with games looming against York (4-0) and Proviso West (3-1) the last two weeks. If the Red Devils can beat Hinsdale South (2-2), Oak Park (1-3) and Downers Grove North (1-3), they'll need a split in the final two games to reach the postseason for the 10th straight year.

But don't get the wrong idea. Just because it's possible doesn't make it easy.

Any scenario involving the playoffs, though, is better than no scenario at all.

"If we win the games we should win, things will line up well for us," Parpet Jr. said. "If we want to make the playoffs, it's right there for us."

kschmit@dailyherald.com