Five semifinal playoff games to watch this weekend
Cary-Grove (12-0) at Geneva (11-1)
The semifinals are here, one more win to get to state. The Trojans have been there plenty of times lately, winning the 6A title last year. They also won state in 2009, 2018 and 2021. Cary-Grove got to last year’s title game in part by beating Geneva 41-7 in the quarterfinals. The Vikings, who are trying to get to state for third time and first since 2008, look to have a team that can make this year’s matchup much more competitive. They own a win over 7A semifinalist Batavia, and have an explosive offense led by Georgia-bound WR Tayln Taylor.
York (10-2) at Naperville Central (11-1)
York, who has lost to Loyola in the semifinals the past two years and has never reached a state championship game, has won its three playoff games by an average of 23 points a game. Quarterback Bruno Massel has rushed for at least 170 yards in each win with 11 touchdowns. Naperville Central is trying to get back to state for the first time since winning it in 2013. The Redhawks have held six of their last nine opponents to one score or fewer.
Wilmington (12-0) at Montini (10-2)
The Broncos have only allowed 114 points in 12 games and just held Princeton to 7 points in last week’s quarterfinal win led by the likes of JC Hayes, Nicky Castaldo, Nick Irion and Jaxon Lane. Montini sophomore QB Israel Abrams has thrown for 1,601 yards and 20 TDs. Wilmington won the Class 2A state title last year.
St. Francis (10-2) at Nazareth (10-2)
These teams met in Week 9 this year with St. Francis pulling out a last-minute 39-36 win. These teams met in the 5A semifinals last year with Nazareth pulling out a last-minute 38-31 win. Needless to say, expect another thriller Saturday. Nazareth is going for a third straight state title and has a four-year starter at QB, Logan Malachuk. His counterpart, Brady Palmer, threw for four touchdowns in the regular season win over Nazareth including the game-winner to Zach Washington, who holds 13 Division I scholarship offers.
Batavia (11-1) at Lincoln-Way Central (11-1)
Bulldogs senior Nathan Whitwell has been busy all year, starting the season carrying the ball 35 times in a win over Glenbard West and last week upping that to 40 carries as Batavia won a hard-fought 17-7 quarterfinal game over Downers Grove North. Whitwell has 27 touchdowns this season. Batavia’s defense is playing at an elite level with 111 tackles for a loss and 40 sacks. Batavia defeated the Knights last year in the second round, 45-17. Lincoln-Way Central also relies on its defense and running game.