Scouting Montini at Sycamore

No. 6 Montini (8-2) at No. 3 Sycamore (9-1)

Class 5A

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Montini 21, St. Francis 14; Sycamore 36, Lakes 3.

Outlook: These teams met in a 2007 first-round contest as well as in last year's quarterfinals, Montini winning that 31-17. Joe Ryan's Spartans revolve around quarterback Ryan Bartels, a 6-foot-4 junior and a two-year starter. He commands a variety of schemes, and out of play-action he hurt Lakes on 4 touchdown passes. Co-captain Eric Ray, 5-6 Tommy Nice are targets out of the backfield. Montini coach Chris Andriano compares the Sycamore offense to that of Marian Central, but Bartels is a much greater threat to run. Andriano figured the Broncos “very fortunate” to escape St. Francis, requiring a fourth-down stop inside their 5-yard line by the Alex Walters-led defense. Stepping up were tailback Dmitri Willis and quarterback Matt Westerkamp 2 touchdown runs and 15-of-18 passing at one point while great receiver Jordan Westerkamp was slowed by a sinus infection that kept him out of practice early this week. He'll be needed on both sides of the ball.

Advancement: Winner advances to a Class 5A quarterfinal between No. 10 seed Marian Central (7-3) and No. 15 Grayslake Central (6-4).