Five first-round playoff games to watch

Glenbard North (4-6) at Jacobs (8-1)

The Panthers joined St. Charles East as 3-6 DuKane Conference teams winning opening round games last week. Glenbard North's victory came 34-20 over Hoffman Estates out of the MSL, and now the Panthers get a chance at the runner-up in the Fox Valley, Jacobs. Angelo Gatses scored three more touchdowns last week, bringing his total to 19. Jacobs, whose passing game has improved this year behind junior quarterback Austin Stennett to give them a more balanced attack than usual, lost only to 8A undefeated Huntley.

Joliet Catholic (6-4) at Wheaton Warrenville South (6-3)

Plenty of teams rely on playoff experience this time of year, but the Tigers will won't have that luxury with their junior dominated lineup getting their first taste of do or die postseason pressure. Quarterback AJ Rogers leads that group after completing 69.4% of his passes for 2,001 yards and 16 touchdowns against a challenging schedule. Joliet Catholic, who has wins over 8-1 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin and 7-3 St. Patrick, also is battle tested. These schools met in the epic 1992 Class 5A state championship game with the Tigers winning 40-34 in two overtimes.

Fremd (7-3) at Naperville North (7-2)

Unfortunately the Huskies might be shorthanded for this 8A matchup after quarterback Dante Colasante suffered a concussion on a late hit two weeks ago against East St. Louis. Colasante had directed the Huskies to seven straight wins following a season-opening loss to New Trier. His counterpart at Fremd, Will Clark, is enjoying a strong junior season approaching 2,000 yards passing and over 600 on the ground with 19 combined touchdowns.

Rolling Meadows (3-7) at Wheaton North (6-3)

One week after becoming one of three two-win teams across the state to advance out of the opening round by winning 34-26 at Addison Trail, Rolling Meadows will try for another surprise in Wheaton. The Falcons reversed their 3-6 record from last year into 6-3 this season, and they played both Wheaton Warrenville South and Batavia to the wire in two of those three losses.

Burlington Central (7-3) at Lake Zurich (6-3)

This could be one of the quickest games this weekend between two teams that like to run the ball and win games in the trenches. The Bears did just that down the stretch in going 6-1 in the North Suburban after an 0-2 start, the only loss coming 14-10 in the final minute against Libertyville. The Rockets, in the playoffs for the third straight season after a nine-year drought, reached the quarterfinals last year before losing to eventual state champion Fenwick. They have yet to beat a team with a winning record this year but held their own with Jacobs, Cary-Grove and Huntley in the Fox Valley Conference.