Football: Breaking down DuPage County and Fox Valley matchups

Class 8A

No. 20 York (6-3) at No. 13 Lyons Township (8-1)

Quick look: The WSC Silver rivals will see each other for the second consecutive week on the same field in Western Springs. The Dukes lost QB Dominic Alfano to a broken collarbone in Week 7, with junior Zack Assaad taking command. Tailback Henry Duda is a threat every time he touches the ball.

No. 19 Hinsdale Central (6-3) at No. 14 South Elgin (7-2)

Quick look: Senior quarterback Riley Contreras takes the Red Devils on the road to face Upstate Eight West champion South Elgin. Colorado-bound Gavin Mueller has scored 10 touchdowns in the last 2 games, including a school-record 6 against Elgin. The Storm is making its 8th straight postseason appearance.

No. 30 Downers Grove South (5-4) at No. 3 Maine South (8-1)

Quick look: Since suffering a 40-0 loss to Lincoln-Way East in Week 1, Maine South has scored 44 points per game during its 8-game winning streak. The Mustangs survived a 1-3 start to reach postseason play. Joey Vieyra and Daniel Mensah anchor the Mustangs’ offensive attack.

No. 31 Elgin (5-4) at No. 2 Barrington (8-1)

Quick look: Making their first postseason appearance since 2019 – and third since 2010, the Maroons rely heavily upon 2-way standout La’Marin Powell. Barrington, which ran the table in the MSL West, is led by quarterback Luke Tepas.

No. 22 Naperville North (6-3) at No. 11 Oswego (7-2)

Quick look: The Huskies carry a 4-game winning streak into postseason play with a defensive-minded unit led by 2-way lineman Gabe Hill, linebackers Drew Murphy, John Lyons, and cornerback Griffin Jurjovec. Senior tailback William Eloe (12 touchdowns) leads the offense. Oswego’s 2 losses came against Minooka and Yorkville.

No. 17 Belleville East (7-2) at No. 16 West Aurora (7-2)

Quick look: A year after tying a school record with 10 wins, the Blackhawks return to the postseason looking for a little more. Led by quarterback Mason Atkins, West Aurora has an explosive offense that includes multi-purpose threat Lesroy Tittle. The Lancers’ losses came against East St. Luis and Edwardsville.

Class 7A

No. 31 Willowbrook (5-4) at No. 2 Glenbard West (8-1)

Quick look: Warriors, led by RB Anthony Leo and QB Jahonise Reed, face a tough challenge in West Suburban Conference crossover foe Glenbard West. Quarterback AJ Rayford leads the Hilltoppers’ attack, flanked by backs Jamarcus Kelly and Max Hetlet. Glenbard’s lone loss came in Week 7 – 21-20 to York.

No. 30 East Moline United (5-4) at No. 3 St. Charles North (8-1)

Quick look: After a 3-0 start, East Moline United survived a 3-game, midseason losing streak to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Meanwhile, the North Stars are making their fourth straight postseason appearance, led by Northwestern-bound receiver Keaton Reinke, QB JT Padron, and LB Matthew Plumb.

No. 22 Jacobs (6-3) at No. 11 Addison Trail (8-1)

Quick look: A playoff qualifier for the fourth straight season, Jacobs has scored 223 points in its last 5 games, including a 44-29 Week 9 loss to Cary-Grove. The Golden Eagles rely on backs Caden Dumelle (13 TDs), Michael Cannady, and Justin Gonzalez. The Blazers, winners of the WSC Gold for the first time since 2014, feature dual threat standout QB Nico Dill and a solid defensc.

No. 29 West Chicago (5-4) at No. 4 Glenbard East (8-1)

Quick look: Another rematch between conference teams. The 2-time defending Upstate Eight East champion Rams bring a 7-game winning streak into the postseason, as well as a 41-6 Week 6 victory over West Chicago. Senior QB Michael Nee (1,783 yards, 24 TDs) faces a Wildcats squad led by dual threat QB Carter Naranjo. The Wildcats are making their school-record third straight playoff appearance.

No. 21 Glenbard North (6-3) at No. 12 Yorkville (7-2)

Quick look: Making their first postseason appearance since 2021, the Panthers bring a solid ground game into their first-round clash with Yorkville. Glenbard senior tailback Donato Gatses has rushed for 1,723 yards and 21 touchdowns with eight 100-plus yard games. The Foxes feature QB Jack Beetham (10 TD passes) and RB TJ Harland (8 TDs).

Class 6A

No. 9 Wheaton Warrenville South (6-3) at No. 8 Highland Park (7-2)

Quick look: Tigers tailback Owen Yorke topped the 1,500-yard mark this season with 20 touchdowns and eight games rushing for 100 or more yards. Amare Williams and Axel Boecker anchor a stingy defensive unit. Highland Park enjoyed a turnaround campaign, rebounding from a 3-6 finish a year ago. The Giants carry a 5-game winning streak into postseason play.

No. 12 Glenbard South (6-3) at No. 12 Antioch (7-2)

Quick look: The Raiders are making their 14th consecutive trip to the playoffs. Sophomore tailback Elijah Donahue is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Quarterback Tommy Bauman directs the offense, while sophomore backup Mason Fort has seen valuable varsity playing time. Antioch’s only losses were to Wauconda and Lake Zurich.

Class 5A

No. 9 St. Francis (6-3) at No. 8 Morgan Park (6-3)

Quick look: The Spartans feature a high-octane offense that includes quarterback Brock Phillip and receivers Dario Milivojevic and Zach Washington. Tanner Glock and Javonte Williams anchor the defense. Morgan Park has won 6 of 7 since back-to-back losses to Downers Grove North and Nazareth.

No. 11 Sycamore (5-4) at No. 6 Cary-Grove (7-2)

Quick look: The Spartans survived a 30-28 Week 9 victory at Cahokia to become playoff eligible. Featuring a triple-option attack, Cary-Grove brings a 7-game winning streak into the postseason. Senior back Logan Abrams, who has scored 10 TDs in the last 3 games, was a member of the 2023 Class 6A state champion squad.

Class 4A

No. 16 Urban Prep/Bronzeville (4-5) at No. 1 Montini (9-0)

Quick look: The Lions won their last 3 games to reach the playoffs with a 4-5 mark. Meanwhile, the 2024 Class 3A state champion Broncos hope to run the table in 4A this fall. Junior QB Israel Abrams has thrown for 2,720 yards and 22 touchdowns. Santino Tenuta, Laddie Asay, and Orlando Greco lead a punishing defense.

Class 3A

No. 11 IC Catholic Prep (6-3) at No. 6 Hope Academy (8-1)

Quick look: Junior quarterback Nate Lang leads the Knights into postseason play, supported by receivers Quai McGee, Grant Bowen, and Anthony Carrocio. Senior 2-way standout Foley Calcagno is a seasoned playoff veteran. Hope Academy’s lone blemish was a 48-20 Week 8 loss to Bishop McNamara.

No. 9 Aurora Central Catholic (7-2) at Noble/Rauner (7-2)

Quick look: Led by senior tailback Trey Seifrid and quarterback Grant Bohr, the Chargers are making their first postseason appearance since 2016. Noble/Rauner captured the Chicago Public League North Central Division for the second straight season.

Class 2A

No. 11 Erie-Prophetstown (6-3) at No. 6 Aurora Christian (7-2)

Quick look: Making their fifth straight postseason appearance, Aurora Christian jumps to Class 2A play for the first time since 2017. Senior QB Asa Johnson leads the offense, supported by WR/DB Dom Klimpke, and sophomore RB Jalen Callaway. Erie-Prophetsown dropped a 48-0 decision to Princeton in its regular-season finale.