Scouting DuPage County first round football playoff games
Class 8A
No. 26 Schaumburg (5-4) at No. 7 Naperville Central (8-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Schaumburg lost to Hoffman Estates 28-20; Naperville Central lost to Lincoln-Way East 28-7
Previous meeting: 1999, Naperville Central 56, Schaumburg 31
Advancement: Winner plays the winner of No. 10 Fremd vs. No. 23 Andrew
Outlook: The last time these two schools met was for the Class 6A title in 1999. Schaumburg is making its first playoff appearance since 2017. The Saxons got off to a fast start this year, winning their first four games. Sophomore Vince Heydecker, who had missed the past six weeks with an injury, returned last week to bolster the Saxons’ running game. He would finish with 34 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Heydecker’s return should take pressure off quarterback Ray Black and Javonte McCoy, who have been shouldering most of the load offensively. Naperville Central is making its fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The Redhawks dropped their only game of the season last week to Lincoln-Way East. Running back Aidan Clark, who missed two games earlier this season with a PCL tear, is the key to the Naperville Central offense, which is averaging nearly 30 points per game.
No. 20 Maine South (6-3) at No. 13 Naperville North (7-2)
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Last week: Maine South beat Evanston 55-22; Naperville North beat Sandburg 44-34
Previous meeting: First meeting
Advancement: Winner plays the winner of No. 5 Marist vs. No. 28 Glenbrook South
Outlook: These two teams have combined to play in 181 playoff games, yet they have never met. Maine South has won five in a row after a slow start to their season. In those five wins, Maine South has outscored its opponents 221-74. Naperville North has also won five in a row with the Huskies outscoring their opponents 218-149. In their last two games, Naperville North has allowed 96 points. So, expect the Maine South offense, led by sophomore Jameson Purcell, to exploit that. The next playoff win for Maine South will be its 75th.
No. 30 Waubonsie Valley (5-4) at No. 3 Oswego (9-0)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
About the Warriors: The Warriors qualified for the playoffs by virtue of a 70-28 win over Metea Valley in Week 9. It’s Waubonsie’s first playoff appearance since 2018 under then-head coach Paul Murphy, also the year of the program’s last playoff win. Oswego last met Waubonsie Valley in the second round of the 2013 playoffs, a 33-13 Oswego win. Common opponent is Oswego East, which Waubonsie Valley beat 14-0 in Week 1 and Oswego beat 23-7 in Week 9. Waubonsie played three playoff teams, going 0-3 in those games as a member of the newly-formed Southwest Valley Green. Player to watch offensively is 5-foot-7, 185-pound senior running back Chrisjan Simmons, who rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns and caught a TD in the win over Metea. Standout baseball player Owen Roberts had four catches and a TD in the game.
About the Panthers: Oswego, champion of the Southwest Prairie West, is making its 11th playoff appearance since 2012 under head coach Brian Cooney. The Panthers went 9-0 during the regular season for the first time since 2018, one of just 21 9-0 teams statewide, and seek their first playoff win since 2019, which was the year of Oswego’s last home playoff game. Oswego played just two teams that finished with winning records during the regular season, Joliet Catholic and Minooka. Iowa recruit Carson Cooney leads a fierce linebacking corps that includes Mikey Claycombe and Easton Ruby for a defense that has allowed just 63 points (second-fewest among the teams in the 8A bracket), with just four touchdowns allowed by the first-team defense. Northern Iowa commit Jeremiah Cain, like Cooney a three-year varsity player, is a playmaker at both wide receiver and defensive back.
No. 25 Curie (5-4) at No. 8 Glenbard East (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Playoff history: Curie is making its 24th playoff appearance and first since 2019. The Condors own a 2-23 career postseason record. Glenbard East is making its seventh playoff appearance and sixth consecutive postseason trip. The Rams, who own a 6-6 career postseason record, advanced to the 7A state quarterfinals last season before losing to Normal Community.
About the Condors: Talk about a bounce-back season — Curie struggled through an 0-9 season a year ago and owned a 2-4 mark after 6 weeks this season before earning 3 straight victories over Mather (30-0), Lake View (24-12), and Urban Prep/Bronzeville (30-0) to secure a playoff berth for the first time in 6 seasons. The Condors are led by senior QB/S Dennis Calloway, senior RBs Antonio Henry, Eduardo Seija, senior WR/CB Jamari Giles, junior WR/CB Markeith Taylor, and junior OLB Saquan Commings. “Their ground attack and play action are definitely cause for concern,” Rams coach John Walters said of the Condors. “Defensively, they like to attack teams and be physical in the box.”
About the Rams: Since their 45-20 loss to unbeaten West Aurora in Week 2, the Rams have averaged 47 points per contest during their 7-game winning streak. “We’ve been really consistent on offense this season,” said Walters. “The last seven games, we have averaged six touchdowns per game. Creating explosive plays continues to spur the offense.” Glenbard’s offense is paced by multipurpose threat Amonte Cook, who has 44 receptions for 853 yards and 12 TDs, 17 carries for 173 yards and 4 TDs, 2 punt returns for TDs, and 2 kickoff returns for TDs. Senior WR Chris Renford has 41 catches for 801 yards and 11 TDs, while junior QB Michael Nee has completed 125 of 176 passes for 2,206 yards and 26 TDs with 4 interceptions. Senior safety Stevyn Fox has recorded 121 tackles and 4 sacks. “Our defense has come on the last three weeks — creating turnovers and playing the physical style of Ram football we are accustomed to,” said Walters. Last year’s trip to the 7A state quarterfinals should help this group despite the climb to 8A. “Our kids know what it takes to make a run,” added the coach. “They saw it last year. They will be a little more battle-tested this season. Going up in class is a huge challenge.”
Advancement: If Glenbard East wins, it will play at No. 24 Sandburg or host No. 9 Stevenson in the second round of the 8A playoffs next weekend.
No. 18 Plainfield South (7-2) at No. 15 Downers Grove South (7-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Cougars: Plainfield South has been rather dominant for most of the season, particularly on defense, but the fact remains the Cougars played one of the lightest schedules among teams that qualified for the postseason. The Cougars beat just one playoff qualifier, Joliet West (5-4), and its two losses came to teams that did not make the postseason field. That all being said, if Plainfield South can bring the kind of defensive intensity that has allowed just 30 points over the last six weeks of the season, all those things might not matter.
About Downers Grove South: The Mustangs are making their fifth consecutive playoff appearance, their seven wins the most in the regular season since their 2011 Class 8A quarterfinal team. That is also Downers Grove South’s last playoff win. The Mustangs are 0-6 in the first round in their last six appearances. Downers Grove South won its third consecutive West Suburban Gold title this year, finishing the regular season on a six-game winning streak — all league games. Downers Grove South was shut out by crosstown rival Downers Grove North in Week 2, but has averaged nearly 35 points in its other eight games. Keon Maggitt is a dynamic playmaker for quarterback Dominic West, who came off the bench in Week 4 to lead the Mustangs to a come-from-behind win over Willowbrook and has been there ever since. Kayden Smith is another player to watch.
Advancement: Winner faces the winner of No. 31 Joliet West (5-4) and No. 2 Lyons Township (9-0).
No. 19 Edwardsville (6-3) at No. 14 York (7-2)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
About Edwardsville: The Tigers finished second to East St. Louis in the Southwestern Conference, pushing the Flyers in a 14-7 Week 8 loss. This is a rematch of last year’s Class 8A quarterfinal won by York 36-29. The Tigers have made 13 consecutive playoff appearances. Edwardsville’s other losses were to Lawrence Central (Ind.) in Week 2 and to DeSmet Jesuit (Mo.) in Week 9. Five of Edwardsville’s nine games came against teams with winning records. Senior defensive lineman Iose Epenesa, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound Iowa recruit, is the No. 1 prospect in Illinois’ Class of 2025 by 247Sports. Edwardsville has reached at least the quarterfinals of the playoffs six times since 2012 and has not missed the playoffs since 2010. First-year coach Kelsey Pickering was previously the defensive coordinator and associate head coach for 15 seasons.
About York: The Dukes, who reached the Class 8A semifinals the last two seasons, are back in the playoffs for the fourth straight season under first-year coach and former defensive coordinator Don Gelsomino. It’s York’s best sustained playoff run since making five consecutive appearances from 2004-08. York started the season 5-0 before losses to Downers Grove North and Lyons in which its offense managed a combined 21 points (as opposed to 266 in its six wins). Notre Dame recruit Joe Reiff, a senior two-way lineman, is one of the state’s top prospects in the Class of 2025. Bruno Massel is a dual-threat quarterback with track speed and Jimmy Conners is a two-way standout at linebacker and running back.
Advancement: Winner faces the winner of No. 30 Waubonsie Valley (5-4) at No. 3 Oswego (9-0).
Class 7A
No. 27 West Chicago (6-3) at No. 6 Normal Community (8-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Playoff history: West Chicago is making its fifth postseason appearance. The Wildcats own a 4-3 career postseason record, highlighted by their 3A state championship in 1974. Normal Community is making its 38th postseason appearance and 28th consecutive — most among all 7A playoff qualifiers. The Ironmen, who own a 47-36 career postseason record, captured the 6A state championship in 2005, and placed second in 2005 (6A) and 1974 (4A).
About the Wildcats: West Chicago has enjoyed a football renaissance of sorts, recording back-to-back playoff berths for the first time. After a 1-8 finish in his first season at the helm in 2022, Wildcats coach Adam Chavez has guided the team to an 11-8 mark the past 2 seasons. “When I took over the program, I said that we were going to build it through the weight room,” said Chavez. “We needed to be tougher and more physical than our opponents. We also needed to be different from everyone else — we do that with the schemes we run.” Offensively, the Wildcats rushed for a team-record 3,125 yards behind a line anchored by Ali Nasib and Ean Arizmendi. Running backs Robert Lee (151 carries, 1,401 yards, 17 TDs) and Tommy Doyle (622 yards, 8 TDs) have combined for 25 touchdowns while junior QB Carter Naranjo (900 rushing yards, 13 TDs) is also a ground threat.
About the Ironmen: Normal Community reached the 7A state semifinals a year ago before falling to Downers Grove North. The Ironmen return several players from that squad, including QB Kyle Beaty, RBs Calen Taylor, AJ Montoya, and WR/CB Mar’Quan Gary. “Friday’s game will a tough one,” Chavez said. “Normal is a very good football team. They’re well-coached with tight schemes in all three phases of the game. They’re in the playoffs every year with deep runs. We will have to play our best game to have a chance to win.”
Advancement: If West Chicago wins, it will play at No. 22 Hersey or host No. 11 Prospect in the second round of the 7A playoffs next weekend.
No. 28 Wheaton Warrenville South (5-4) at No. 5 Downers Grove North (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About Wheaton Warrenville South: The Tigers are in the playoffs for the third time in four postseasons, on each occasion with a 5-4 regular season record. WW South, one of four playoff teams from the DuKane Conference, seeks its first postseason win since back-to-back quarterfinal appearances in 2017-18. A challenging schedule featured five playoff teams; a win over Glenbard South in Week 1 was WW South’s lone victory in that group. NIU recruit and defending 300-meter hurdles state champion Amari Williams is the top target for third-year starting QB Luca Carbonaro. Owen Yorke has emerged as a breakout standout at running back, topping 200 yards against both Glenbard South and Lake Park. The Tigers can put up points, with 31 or more points in six of their nine games, including two of their losses, to St. Charles North and Geneva.
About Downers Grove North: The Trojans, Class 7A runners-up in 2023, look to be one of the top 7A contenders again with Minnesota recruit Owen Lansu at quarterback and a rock-solid defense that held six opponents to zero or seven points. Lansu, a second-year starter and one of the state’s top quarterbacks, returned from an injury suffered in a Week 7 loss to Lyons to throw for 369 yards and three TDs with one rushing TD in Friday’s win over Hinsdale Central. Downers Grove North’s 6-0 start was its best since 2003. Jake Gregorio, the leading tackler from last year’s team, and Joe Edwards are ringleaders of the defense with receiver Oliver Thulin among those to watch offensively.
Advancement: Winner faces the winner of No. 21 Brother Rice (6-3) at No. 12 Fenwick (7-2)
No. 26 Willowbrook (6-3) at No. 7 Hononegah (8-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About Willowbrook: The Warriors are making their eighth consecutive playoff appearance. Willowbrook has won at least one game in six of its previous seven appearances, reaching the quarterfinals five times. Willowbrook is riding a five-game winning streak after starting the season 1-3, averaging 42.8 points in those five wins. All five of those wins came against clubs that finished below .500. KJ Rhodes is the top target for junior QB Jahonise Reed.
About Hononegah: Hononegah won the NIC-10 conference. Its only loss came when the Indians had to forfeit their Week 3 win over Harlem for using an ineligible player. This is a rematch of a second-round playoff game last year, a game in which Hononegah beat Willowbrook 44-0 before losing to Batavia in a Class 7A quarterfinal. Kurt Smith is a three-year starter at middle linebacker for the Indians and also their leading rusher at near 1,000 yards.
Advancement: Winner faces the winner of No. 23 Rockford Guilford (6-3) at No. 10 St. Rita (7-2).
Class 6A
No. 14 Glenbard South (6-3) at No. 3 Kankakee (8-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Playoff history: Glenbard South is making its 24th postseason appearance and 13th consecutive. The Raiders own a 17-23 career postseason record. Kankakee is making its 20th postseason appearance. The Kays own a 17-19 career postseason record and placed second in the state (5A) in 2021.
About the Raiders: Glenbard South steamrolled its way into the playoffs with last weekend’s 62-0 victory over Larkin. Freshman tailback Elijah Donahue scored on a 53-yard punt return, junior WR Jonny Baldauf added a 9-yard TD run, and junior backup quarterback Frankie Cassata tossed a 27-yard TD pass to 6-foot-4 junior WR Henry Riley. The youthful Raiders are led by sophomore quarterback Tommy Bauman, while junior DB Jonathan Davis, Baldauf, Donahue, and Riley form the nucleus for a bright future. Senior RB Devontae Clark leads the team in rushing and has scored 15 touchdowns. The Raiders average 37 points per game but will be tested by a Kankakee defense that allows a 6A-best 8 points per contest. “We suffered a big loss with the Week 5 injury to our middle linebacker, Zach Hyzy, who is a 3-year starter,” said Raiders coach Ryan Crissey. “Zach was one of our top leaders and tacklers.”
About the Kays: In addition to its ball-hawking defense, Kankakee possesses a prolific offense that features athletic sophomore quarterback Phillip Turner (12 TD passes, 7 TD runs). The Kays like to spread the field with receivers Keyandre White, Ezekiel Sherrod, Cedric Terrell (8 TDs), Justin Davidson, and senior leader James Stampley (60.2 yards receiving per game, 42-yard rushing average, 12 TDs). Kankakee capped its regular season with last weekend’s 56-14 victory over Crete-Monee. “We are facing a very athletic, fast, and well-coached team,” said Crissey. “They play a physical brand of defense.” The Kays’ lone loss came in Week 1 at the hands of Nazareth (37-30). Senior ends Elijah Faulkner (7 sacks), Mike Washington (7 sacks), and middle linebacker Kennyan Chandler (5.2 tackles per game) anchor a stingy defense.
Advancement: If Glenbard South wins, it will play at No. 11 Lemont or host No. 6 Bloomington in the second round of the 6A playoffs next weekend.
No. 12 Fenton (6-3) at No. 5 Wauconda (7-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Seeds: Fenton is the No. 12 seed in the top half of the Class 6A bracket; Wauconda is the No. 5 seed.
Scouting Fenton: The Bison compete in the Upstate Eight Conference and was a dreadful 2-25 over the last 3 seasons (including an 0-9 record last year) before Mark Farrell returned for his second stint as head coach. “After watching films on Wauconda, we see a well-disciplined team that plays hard,” Farrell said. “Their defense plays fast and tackles well and their offense plays with a fast tempo. They run the ball well inside and out. We will have to play well in all three phases to beat them. As far as our program is concerned, we are starting to turn the corner.” Fenton is led by senior quarterback Nate Stewart, senior wideout-defensive back Jack Tinajero, junior running back-linebacker Omar Diaz, senior offensive and defensive lineman Thomas Klos and junior offensive and defensive lineman Josh Zuniga. Fenton hasn’t won a playoff game in 40 years. “We are excited to have an opportunity to play in the playoffs and the chance to break a long drought without a playoff win,” Farrell said. Fenton went 0-3 against playoff teams during the regular season.
Scouting Wauconda: The Bulldogs closed out the regular season with a pair of wins by a combined 90-16 count and earned a share of the Northern Lake County Conference title with Antioch. Wauconda went 2-2 against playoff teams in the regular season. Wauconda is in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row and is 34-8 during that timeframe.
Up next: Winner gets either No. 13 Kaneland (5-4) or No. 4 Belvidere North (8-1) in the 6A second round.
Class 5A
No. 10 Chicago Perspectives/Leadership (5-4) at No. 7 Benet Academy (6-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Playoff history: Chicago Perspectives is making its third postseason appearance and first since 2022. The Warriors own a 0-2 postseason record. Benet Academy is making its 24th postseason appearance and first since 2019. The Redwings, who placed second in the state (4A) in 1984, own a 25-23 career playoff record.
About the Warriors: Following a 3-6 campaign a year ago and a 1-3 start this season, the Warriors won 4 of their last 5, capped by a playoff-clinching, 34-19 victory over Hubbard last weekend. Chicago Prospectives has scored 170 points (18.9 average) while allowing 167 points (18.5 average). The Warriors are led by junior RB Dayquan Bell and LBs Dillon Earles, Deandre Thomas, and Jovon Pitts.
About the Redwings: Benet Academy punched its first ticket to the playoffs in 6 seasons thanks to last weekend’s 31-24 victory over DePaul Prep. Junior LB Jack Clevenger returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown, while senior QB Ryan Kubacki, Jr., connected with WR Luke Doyle on an 80-yard TD pass. Other leaders for Benet include RB Joe Salvino, sophomore WR Luca Diomede, senior LB Declan Walsh, defensive end Joe Rodi, and sophomore LB Colin Ryan.
Advancement: If Benet Academy wins, it will be on the road against either No. 15 Marmion or No. 2 Rochelle in the second round next weekend.
No. 13 Sterling (5-4) at No. 4 St. Francis (7-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About Sterling: The Golden Warriors entered the season with a young team, especially in the trenches, and managed to make the playoffs for the 10th straight year. Sterling is coming off a 45-31 loss to Moline (7-2) on Friday. Two of its other three losses came to playoff teams in Metamora (6-3) in Week 1, 28-9, and Quincy (9-0) 63-6 in Week 7. They lost 17-0 to Niles Notre Dame in Week 2. Sterling beat one playoff team this season in Geneseo (5-4), a 13-6 victory in Week 6. The Golden Warriors made the playoffs at 4-5 last season, beating No. 1 seed Chicago Payton 50-0 as a No. 16 seed before losing in the second round. They are led by senior quarterback Drew Nettleton, who has thrown for 1,406 yards (61.3% completion rate) and 12 touchdowns to five interceptions. Leading slot receiver/cornerback/punt returner Kaedon Phillips has had a highlight-filled senior campaign, tallying 576 yards and eight touchdowns on 39 catches this season. Phillips had two punt return touchdowns and a rushing score in a 27-26 win over United Township (4-5) this season.
About St. Francis: After back-to-back semifinal appearances, the Spartans are back in the playoffs with a younger lineup this season. The team has now reached the postseason for six straight seasons. St. Francis was voted No. 5 in the latest AP 5A ranking. The Spartans have been battle-tested with a tough CCL/ESCC schedule. They earned wins over 8A No. 6 Loyola in Week 3, 4A No. 8 DePaul Prep and 5A No. 1 Nazareth and dropped games to 7A No. 6 St. Rita, receiving votes in 5A Providence. St. Francis’ offense features plenty of potent weapons. It is highlighted by junior quarterback Brady Palmer, who threw for four TDs in the 39-36 win over Nazareth, senior running back Ty Ransom, senior wide receiver and Illinois State commit Ian Willis, junior wideout Zach Washington and junior tight end Gavin Mueller. Senior defensive back Seth Valeri is one of the Spartans’ top defensive players. The Spartans earned a share of the Green title with their win over Nazareth on Friday.
Advancement: Winner faces the winner of No. 12 Chicago Goode (5-4) at No. 5 Prairie Ridge (7-2)
Class 4A
No. 13 Sandwich (5-4) at No. 4 Wheaton Academy (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
About the Indians: The Indians, after a feel-good 2023 season that culminated in a run to the Class 4A quarterfinals, backed up the program’s renaissance with a second straight playoff appearance. This is a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal won by Wheaton Academy 42-7 in the Warriors’ first-ever quarterfinal appearance. Sandwich overcame an 0-2 start to this season against a pair of tough conference opponents in Manteno and Wilmington to win five of six games and put itself in playoff position. Sandwich is one of five teams from the Kishwaukee River Conference to reach the postseason. Six of the Indians’ nine opponents are in the playoffs. Nick Michalek emerged as the leading rusher for Sandwich’s wing-T offense that also features speedster Simeion Harris and fullback Diego Gomez. Jeffrey Ashley leads a linebacking corps that overcame the offseason injuries to Sandwich’s top two tacklers from last year. Tate Frieders anchors an experienced line.
About the Warriors: The Warriors are making their fourth consecutive playoff appearance after reaching the Class 4A semifinals last year. Wheaton Academy, champions of the Chicagoland Christian Conference, has won eight consecutive games since a Week 1 loss to Second Baptist from Houston, Texas and are unbeaten against Illinois opponents. Wheaton Academy is 3-0 against playoff teams, wins over Chicago Christian, Hope Academy and Aurora Christian. Senior Jeremy Johanik, a two-way starter at center and defensive end and third Johanik brother to play at Wheaton Academy for their dad and head coach Jim Johanik, is the ringleader of a defense that’s allowed just 65 points this season (third-fewest among teams in the 4A bracket) — eight points over the last five weeks with four shutouts. The Warriors had four pick-sixes in a Week 9 win over Marian Central. RB Brandon Kiebles and RB/LB London Leflore, the latter a transfer from South Elgin, are among Wheaton Academy’s other players to watch.
Advancement: Winner plays winner of No. 12 St. Laurence (6-3) at No. 5 Richmond-Burton (7-2).
Class 3A
No. 9 Montini (7-2) at No. 8 North Lawndale (7-2)
When: Noon Saturday
About Montini: The Broncos are back in the playoffs for a second straight season after reaching the Class 3A semifinals last year. The program has a history of postseason success, reaching the playoffs from 1993 to 2019 and winning six state titles and competing in three more during that time. Montini earned the No. 3 ranking in the latest Class 3A Associated Press poll. After bringing back 10 of 11 starters from last year’s defense, the Broncos have continued their defensive success this season. They’ve held opponents to 10.4 points per game. Senior defensive lineman Nicky Castaldo and JC Hayes along with senior defensive back Vince Irion have been some of the top leaders defensively. Montini’s two losses came against AP-ranked teams, 8A No. 5 Marist and 6A No. 5 Fenwick. The Broncos beat 3A No. 5 St. Laurence in Week 9. Sophomore quarterback Israel Abrams took over the starter’s role midway through the season and helped elevate the Broncos’ offense. Montini is 5-0 with Abrams at the head, averaging 35.2 points per game.
About North Lawndale: The Phoenix are back in the playoffs for a third straight season. They’ve lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of those trips and the program is looking for its first playoff win. North Lawndale’s losses came against Mather, 27-20, and Sullivan, 6-0. Mather finished the season 6-3 while Sullivan ended the year undefeated. The Phoenix have scored 28.1 points per game, scoring 20 or more points in all but one game. The Phoenix have limited opponents to 9.1 points per game. They’ve allowed more than 10 points in a game twice.
Advancement: Winner faces the winner of No. 16 Prairie Central (5-4) at No. 1 Byron (9-0).
– Joshua Welge from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview.