Scouting DuPage County playoff football quarterfinals
Class 7A
No. 7 Lincoln-Way West (10-1) at No. 15 Downers Grove North (9-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About the Warriors: Lincoln-Way West is on its grind now fending off a very talented Kenwood team in the second round of the playoffs, the second straight CPL team the Warriors have ousted from the postseason. Although drawing a CPL opponent usually means good things, LWW did not stray from its typical blueprint which is reliant on a sturdy defense led by Illinois State recruit Chase Markowitz and an offensive attack that cherishes possession and typically gets strong work from QB Grant Tustin and RB Jahan Abubakar. And if the game is close, there are few kickers in the state that are more reliable than Zach Hermanson.
About the Trojans: Downers Grove North, making its third straight quarterfinal appearance, is riding high off its 19-7 win at Glenbard West which avenged a regular-season loss to its West Suburban Silver rival. A Trojans’ defense that has been stellar most of the season, even at times short-handed, has held down two explosive offenses in playoff wins over Prospect and Glenbard West. Oliver Thulin’s 29-yard pick-six in the closing minutes that all but sealed last week’s win was one of three turnovers forced by Downers Grove North, which also had two key fourth-down stops. Thulin, who also had nine catches for 80 yards last week, is one of a few standout two-way players for the Trojans along with Illinois recruit Will Vala and Caden Chiarelli, who ran for two TDs last week. That defense travels well in the playoffs, as does a dynamic veteran QB like third-year starter and Minnesota commit Owen Lansu, who was 15 of 20 for 112 yards last week in his fifth game back from a broken arm. This is a rematch of the 2023 Class 7A quarterfinal, a game in which Downers Grove North won 34-6.
Advancement: Winner plays the winner of No. 3 St. Charles North (10-1) at No. 6 Brother Rice (10-1).
No. 21 Glenbard North (8-3) at No. 13 Batavia (9-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About the Panthers: Glenbard North has been the feel-good story of the western suburbs this season, going from two wins over the past two seasons to two wins in the playoffs. The Panthers grinded out a 22-14 victory over No. 5 Moline to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since it last made the playoffs in 2021. Senior running back Donato Gatses continued his incredible 2025 campaign, rushing for 235 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. He’s now up to 2,138 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on the season, while also recording at least 100 rushing yards in all but one game this season, which just so happened to be the Panthers’ 41-13 loss to the Bulldogs back in Week 3. However, in that same game, senior quarterback Kyle Melody recorded a season-high 188 passing yards. And with senior wideout Zechariah Morris coming off a season-high 136 receiving yards last week, it may just add a bit of depth needed to beat Batavia for the first time since joining the DuKane Conference. Also playing a big part in the Panthers’ postseason success has been the defense, which shutout No. 12 Yorkville to open up the playoffs before only allowing two touchdowns against Moline.
About the Bulldogs: Batavia is back in the quarterfinals for the fourth straight season and 10th time since 2011 after getting a 42-21 victory over No. 4 Glenbard East in the second round. The Bulldogs continued to show their versatile roster in the game, with junior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren throwing to eight different receivers in the contest, finishing the night with 254 passing yards and three touchdowns. Senior tailback Henry Hahn got the most touches of the running back carousel, rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns off 18 carries, with Preston Brummel close behind with 12 carries. The rush defense also was excellent in the contest, holding the Rams to just 50 yards on the ground and marking the sixth consecutive game that an opposing team hasn’t eclipsed over 100 rushing yards. The Bulldogs have defeated the Panthers in all seven DuKane Conference matchups, and also beat them 21-7 in the opening round of the Class 7A playoffs in 2017, when Batavia would eventually go on to win the state title.
Advancement: Winner takes on the winner of No. 25 St. Rita (7-4) at No. 16 Hersey (8-3)
Class 5A
No. 13 Chicago King (7-4) at No. 9 St. Francis (8-3)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Playoff history: St. Francis is making its 21st playoff appearance. The Spartans own a 27-17 career record in postseason play. They finished first in 2008 (5A). St. Francis defeated Morgan Park (35-28) in the first round of the playoffs before last week’s second-round victory (41-38) over Prairie Ridge. Chicago King is making its 15th playoff appearance. The Jaguars own a 6-14 career record in postseason play. King opened the first round of the playoffs with a win over Agriculture Science (46-6) before last week’s second-round victory over Corliss (21-6).
About the Jaguars: Making its first state quarterfinal appearance in school history, King possesses size and speed, featuring sophomore running back Jamar Lewis. Lewis, who averages 140 yards per game, has scored 22 touchdowns — 21 of them on the ground. Junior WR Nasir White averages 42 yards receiving with 4 TDs, while junior Jermaine Whitfield (5 passing TDs) and sophomore TreMaine Ford have shared time at quarterback. “King is a very good football team,” said Spartans coach Bob McMillen. “They remind me of Morgan Park with size, speed, athletic ability, and are well-coached. They are very big up front and will try to pound the football with a very good running back (Lewis). Their quarterback is mobile and has a live arm with a wide receiver who can go get it.” Defensively, the Jaguars are led by senior DE Pharoah McThune (7 tackles per game, 7 sacks), junior MLB Paul Norman (6.1 tackles per game, 4 forced fumbles), senior lineman Alexander Robinson (5 sacks), and junior DB Malachi Mays-Pinckney (4 interceptions).
About the Spartans: Playing in the rugged Chicago Catholic League has prepared St. Francis for the postseason. The past two playoff games have not been easy for the Spartans. After rallying from a 2-touchdown deficit to defeat Morgan Park (35-28) in the first round, they outlasted top-seeded Prairie Ridge (41-38) last weekend. Senior quarterback Brock Phillip accounted for all 6 of the Spartans’ touchdowns last week — 4 rushing and 2 passing. Receivers Zach Washington and Dario Milivojevic both caught TD passes against Prairie Ridge, while junior running back Tivias Caldwell (123 yards) topped the 100-yard mark for the second consecutive week. Phillip has thrown 26 touchdown passes with 10 rushing touchdowns. Defensively, senior NG Jaylen Torres (6.8 tackles per game, 8 sacks, 13 hurries), junior FS James McGrath (9.5 tackles per game), senior CB/WR Tanner Glock (7 interceptions), and junior OLB Peyton Shipley (6 tackles per game, 3 forced fumbles) lead the way. “I’m most impressed with their fight,” said McMillen. “These boys will continue to fight to the end. They have a unity about them that I haven’t seen in teams from the past. They play for each other, and that as a coach, is pretty cool to see.” A win over King will propel St. Francis to the Class 5A state semifinals for the fourth straight season. “We need to have a great week of practice so we can compete with them,” said the coach.
Advancement: The King-St. Francis winner will face either No. 6 Cary-Grove or No. 2 Belvidere North on the road in next weekend’s state semifinals.
Class 4A
No. 5 Coal City (9-2) at No. 1 Montini (11-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About the Coalers: Coal City continues to impose its will on the opposition going back to previous program maxims of strong defense and a potent running game to gain control of its first two rounds of playoff games. But the ultimate difference might be that this group of Coalers can move the ball through the air too, as Connor Henline’s three long second-half touchdown passes turned the momentum back in Coal City’s favor in a wild win over Dixon in Round 2. RB Logan Natyshok has been stuffing the stat sheet the last few weeks, not only as a rusher but also as a pass receiver.
About the Broncos: A two-hour plus drive south to Peoria last weekend did nothing to slow down the Montini express last weekend. The Broncos scored touchdowns on seven of their first eight possessions in a 47-17 win over Peoria Notre Dame. The win was the 21st straight for Montini dating back to last season, a new program record. Israel Abrams threw for 193 yards and three TDs and also ran for a score, Nico Castaldo had four catches for 69 yards and a TD, and Charles Flowers rushed for two TDs. Defensively, Namari Anderson had eight tackles, two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Montini really has not been tested since its Week 6 win over Carmel, its last five wins by nearly a 36-point average. This matchup is a rematch of the 2004 Class 4A state championship game in which Montini beat Coal City 44-7 for the Broncos’ first state title.
Advancement: Winner plays the winner of No. 2 Morris (10-1) at No. 6 Geneseo (9-2)
Class 3A
No. 11 IC Catholic Prep (8-3) at No. 2 Byron (11-0)
When: 2 p.m. Saturday.
Playoff history: IC Catholic Prep is making its 25th playoff appearance. The Knights own a 51-18 career record in postseason play. They finished first in 2022 (3A), 2018 (4A), 2017 (3A), 2016 (3A), 2008 (2A), and 2002 (3A). IC Catholic Prep defeated Hope Academy (42-13) in the first round of the playoffs before last week’s second-round victory over Bishop McNamara (37-27). Byron is making its 31st playoff appearance. The Tigers own a 58-27 career record in postseason play. They finished first in 2023 (3A), 2021 (3A), and 1999 (3A). Byron defeated Oregon (63-15) in the first round of the playoffs before last week’s second-round victory over Pecatonica (38-12).
About the Knights: These are two of the state’s most storied small school programs matched up in postseason play for the fifth time. IC Catholic Prep owns a 3-1 all-time playoff mark against Byron with wins in 2022 (35-0), 2017 (7-0), and 2010 (35-27). The Knights went on to capture 3A state titles in 2022 and 2017. Making its ninth playoff appearance in 10 seasons, IC Catholic Prep has faced one of the state’s toughest schedules. Facing larger schools throughout the season, including three teams playing in this weekend’s state quarterfinals — St. Rita (7A), Nazareth (6A), and St. Francis (5A), the Knights more than held their own. Now, they will face a stiff test from a Byron team that averages 52.7 points per game. Junior quarterback Nate Lang has thrown for 2,383 yards and 27 touchdowns, including three in the Knights’ 37-27 victory over previously unbeaten Bishop McNamara last weekend. Lang also leads the Knights in rushing, averaging 42 yards per game. Senior FB/MLB Foley Calcagno anchors the defense, averaging 10 tackles per contest, supported by senior lineman Tamarion Garner (8 sacks), and cornerback Jaden Penna (4 interceptions). Glover recorded 3 ½ sacks with a 60-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Bishop McNamara. Running back KC Kekstadt contributed 19 carries for 112 yards and a 12-yard TD last weekend. Sophomore 2-way standouts Grant Bowen (11 touchdowns) and Will Schmidt (6 touchdowns) lead a strong receiving corps.
About the Tigers: Byron’s returning players have long memories of last season’s disappointing 14-13 second-round loss to eventual 3A state champion Montini. The Tigers have dominated their opponents throughout the season, topping the 50-point mark seven times in 11 games, while scoring more than 60 points five times. Their closest game was a 28-7 Week 2 victory over a Dixon team that lost a 49-42 second-round decision to 4A power Coal City last weekend. The Tigers are led by a pair of all-state players — senior RB/LB Caden Considine (97 yards rushing per game) and junior QB/DB Andrew Talbert. Considine tallied four touchdowns, including a pick-six, during last weekend’s 38-12 second-round victory over Pecatonica. Defensively, the Big Northern champions are led by senior OLB Dawson Criddle and junior SS JJ Edmonson. Byron owns a 1-3 playoff record against IC Catholic Prep, with the lone win (15-14) coming during its 3A state championship run in 2021. The Tigers, who have captured two of the last four 3A state titles, have not suffered a 3-loss season since 2015 (9-3).
Advancement: The IC Catholic Prep-Byron winner will face either No. 1 Richmond-Burton or No. 5 Monmouth-Roseville in next weekend’s state semifinals.
– Joel Boenitz and Joshua Welge from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview.