Daily Herald first round playoff previews
Class 8A
No. 17 Hinsdale Central (7-3) at No. 16 Von Steuben (7-1)
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Winnemac Stadium, Chicago
Last week: Hinsdale Central 41, Lake Park 19; Von Steuben bye
Outlook: The Red Devils began postseason play with a superb performance from junior quarterback Beau Gatewood, who tossed five touchdown passes against Lake Park. Gatewood, who now has 21 touchdown passes for the season, threw a pair to junior George Zilliox, including a 69-yarder, and senior James Skokna. Junior Lucas Castro also caught a seven-yard scoring strike, as the Red Devils built a 28-7 halftime advantage. Senior Orestas Bockus booted a pair of 38-yard field goals for the Red Devils, who earned a playoff victory for the second straight season. Now, they have an opportunity to advance to the second round against a Von Steuben squad is 0-1 career in the postseason. The Panthers, who own four shutouts, feature senior quarterback Christian Welk, senior running back Josiah Perez, senior receiver Max Varela, and sophomore wideout Alessandro Arzuaga.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 1 Lincoln-Way East or No. 33 Oak Park-River Forest.
No. 24 Barrington (6-4) at No. 9 Sandburg (7-2)
When: 7:00 p.m., Friday.
Last week: Barrington 38, Waubonsie Valley 0; Sandburg bye.
Outlook: Barrington has leaned heavily on its strong running game to win six in a row. With Jack Kavanagh, Francisco Garcia, Jack Van Black, Malcolm George and Finn Edstrom blocking up front, the Broncos have piled up 2,007 yards on the ground. Leading the way is Lamar Osterhues. The junior has been spectacular since coming off a Week 2 injury and has run for 1,282 yards and 12 touchdowns. Vince Costa has also emerged as a threat, rushing for 382 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 21 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Sandburg has won its last four games. The Eagles are making their fourth consecutive playoff appearance and fifth in the last six years. But in each of those playoff seasons, Sandburg failed to win their first round game.
Advancement: Winner plays winner between No. 25 Marist and No. 8 Mt. Carmel.
No. 29 Naperville Central (6-4) at No. 4 Oswego (8-1)
When: 6 p.m. Friday.
Last week: Naperville Central 18, Warren 14; Oswego bye.
Outlook: Trailing Warren 14-3 last week, the Redhawks scored 15 unanswered points while holding the Blue Devils scoreless over their final six possessions behind Jaxon Pytlak’s fumble recovery and Eron Kennedy’s pass breakup in the end zone and late interception. Led by linebackers Landen Goebel and Justin Skryd, the Redhawks have allowed just 38 points the past three weeks. Offensively, senior quarterback Simon Hayes tossed a pair of touchdowns to junior standout receiver Mark Williams covering 67 and 74 yards, respectively, last week. Since its week five loss to Bolingbrook (21-7), Oswego has won five consecutive games behind senior quarterback Drew Kleinhans and running backs Ammar Banire and Graham Schwab. Wide receivers Jackson Dietz, Beckham Reynolds and tight end Ryan Wynn support the Panthers’ offense averaging 38-plus points per game. Oswego, making its fourth straight postseason appearance, advanced to the 8A state championship game a year ago before falling to Mt. Carmel, 20-3.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 13 Naperville North or No. 20 Fremd.
No. 20 Fremd (7-3) at No. 11 Naperville North (7-2)
When: 7:00 p.m., Friday.
Last week: Fremd 42, Taft 12; Naperville North bye.
Outlook: Fremd lost consecutive games to Hoffman Estates and Barrington by a combined three points. But the Vikings surged back the last two weeks, rolling over Palatine and then Taft. Junior quarterback Will Clark has thrown for 1,782 yards and 10 touchdowns while running for 609 yards and nine touchdowns. Jayden Faulkner has run for 562 yards and seven touchdowns. Linebacker Tom O’Brien is among the unsung linebackers in the area and a great run-stuffer. Naperville North is coming off a loss to East St. Louis in its final regular-season game. The Huskies rely on a balanced offense behind quarterback Dante Colasante, who has thrown for 1,126 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has run for 143 yards and two touchdowns. The Huskies like to spread the wealth in the backfield. Jack Zitko has run for 634 yards and six touchdowns and Jayke Collins has 486 yards and six touchdowns.
Advancement: Winner plays winner between No. 29 Naperville Central and No. 4 Oswego.
No. 34 Oswego East (5-5) at No. 2 Huntley (9-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Oswego East 49, Curie 8; Huntley bye
Outlook: Following a 5-5 season a year ago, the Red Raiders storm into postseason play as one of just two unbeatens in Class 8A with Lincoln-Way East. Fueled by a dominating defense featuring senior linebackers Ashton Jones (7.1 tackles per game), Ethan Albertson (6.6 tackles per game), linemen Toluwani Ajayi and Micah Hood, and safety Dechawn Jones, Huntley has recorded four shutouts while limiting six opponents to six points or fewer. The Red Raiders have outscored foes, 431-65, behind junior quarterback Malik Carter (22 passing touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns), tailback Chase Hojnacki (23 touchdowns), and receiver Matthew Schroeder (eight touchdowns). Oswego East earned its first playoff win in 10 years last week, scoring five touchdowns via the defense and special teams, including Gavin Ortiz’s punt return for a score. Sophomore quarterback Carter Meindel added a touchdown pass to Chase Lafin. Oswego East finished 0-5 in Southwest Prairie West action. Wolves coach Tyson LeBlanc once starred at Aurora University.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 15 South Elgin or No. 18 Lane.
No. 18 Lane (7-3) at No. 15 South Elgin (7-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Lane 56, Joliet Central 0; South Elgin bye
Outlook: Looking for their first postseason win since 2023 — incidentally, a 55-6 victory over Lane — the Storm get an opportunity to do it on their home field. Senior Carter McDonald and sophomore Oliver Johnston have both seen playing time at quarterback, supported by receivers Semaj Collier and Julian Huerta. Tailback Lamari Smith handles the bulk of the workload for the Upstate Eight West champions. Danny Moscoso delivered a game-winning field goal against West Aurora. Lane brings a six-game winning streak into Friday’s game. The Champions, led by senior quarterback Blake Perkins (14 touchdown passes, six touchdown runs) and junior tailback Shamar Pipes (55-yard average), average 27 points per game. Defensively, lineman Kanye Williams leads the squad with 11 quarterback hurries, while cornerback Taylor Clay has four interceptions.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 2 Huntley or No. 34 Oswego East.
No. 23 Conant (7-3) at No. 10 Homewood-Flossmoor (7-2)
When: 7:00 p.m., Friday.
Last week: Conant 21, Dundee-Crown 12; Homewood-Flossmoor bye.
Outlook: Conant picked up its first playoff win since 2013 last week. Conant has rushed for nearly 2,400 yards with its Wing-T offense. That offense is led by fullback Jackson Spizzirri, who has rushed 12 touchdowns. Anthony Burns is coming off a 127-yard performance along with a touchdown. Ivan Haralanov, Ty Mickelson and Tyler Marchese have also been keys to the Cougars’ running attack. Homewood-Flossmoor is led by monster defensive tackle David Hill, who is 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds and committed to Wisconsin. The Vikings, who have won their last four games, have allowed just 12.6 points per game with three shutouts.
Advancement: Winner plays winner between No. 35 Minooka and No. 3 Loyola.
No. 19 York (7-3) at No. 14 Downers Grove South (7-2)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: York 47, Bloom 14; Downers Grove South bye
Outlook: The Dukes continued their late-season surge with last week’s 33-point, opening round victory over Bloom. Senior quarterback Zack Assaad made several big-play completions to receivers Chris Winton and Anthony Massel, while connecting with tailback Chris Georgas for a 22-yard touchdown pass on a screen play last week. York, which built a 40-0 halftime advantage, utilized its bench in the second half, as sophomore quarterback Noah Jahn and sophomore running back Rowan McPartlin combined for a 70-yard, fourth-quarter screen pass touchdown. York, making its sixth consecutive postseason appearance, placed second in the state in Class 8A two years ago. Now, the Dukes have a chance to face the West Suburban Gold champions. Downers Grove South, winners of four straight, features junior quarterback James Sobkowiak, junior receiver Nate Thurston, and senior multi-purpose tailback Forest Bates, who scored five touchdowns against Addison Trail and added four more against Proviso East. Versatile junior Luke Potter contributes in all three phases — at receiver, strong safety, and kickoff/punt returner.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 3 Loyola Academy or No. 35 Minooka.
No. 27 O’Fallon (6-4) at No. 6 Maine South (8-1)
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday.
Last week: O’Fallon 36, Joliet West 6; Maine South bye.
Outlook: O’Fallon has allowed just 20 points in its last two games, but those teams have a combined 5-14 record. O’Fallon, a qualifier for the first time in four years, lost earlier this season 64-6 to East St. Louis. Maine South is averaging 46.4 points per game. In seven of those games, the Hawks went to a running clock early and pulled their starters. Quarterback Jameson Purcell, a three-year starter, is coming off a 290-yard , five-touchdown performance in a Week 9 win over Glenbrook South. The Indiana commit has 1,993 yards and 28 touchdowns on the season. Nick McCarthy, Keaton Vitel, Matthew Schlenhardt and Elliott Arteta are key receivers. Schlenhardt, a Syracuse commit, has been a factor running the ball along with Payton Donaldson.
Advancement: Winner plays winner between No. 22 West Aurora and No. 11 St. Ignatius.
No. 22 West Aurora (7-3) at No. 11 St. Ignatius (7-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: West Aurora 40, Leyden 21; St. Ignatius bye
Outlook: The Blackhawks kicked off postseason play with a hard-earned victory over Leyden that wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter. Winners of three straight, West Aurora received a big day from senior quarterback Tyler Fecht, who completed 9 of 13 passes for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Fecht has 13 touchdown passes this season. Senior receiver Travis Brown, one of the Blackhawks’ top basketball players the past two seasons, caught four passes for 111 yards with a 68-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter last week. Tailback Keyeldrick Woods, Jr., made the most of his opportunity due to injuries, gaining 81 yards with a touchdown. The Blackhawks would welcome the return of senior tailback Bryce Riley, who averages 116 yards per game with 15 rushing touchdowns. Outside linebacker Darius Stewart (seven sacks, four fumble recoveries) and lineman Brendon Salach (four sacks) anchor the defense. St. Ignatius, the No. 8 team in Class 8A in the latest Illinois Media poll, averages 39 points per contest. Junior quarterback Reid Hites and senior running back/linebacker Connor Hites, a Penn commit, lead the Wolfpack attack. Sophomore Nino Capuano rushed for 183 yards and three touchdowns in a 53-33 win over Providence in week nine.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 6 Maine South or No. 27 O’Fallon.
Class 7A
No. 17 Glenbard East (7-3) at No. 16 Kenwood (6-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Lane Stadium, Chicago
Last week: Glenbard East 42, Bartlett 14; Kenwood bye
Outlook: The Rams look to extend their season against Chicago Public League foe Kenwood following last week’s opening round victory. Sophomore quarterback Carter Pohlman enjoyed his postseason starting debut, completing 17 of 22 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns — two to receiver Diamond Chew. Mason Wright and Malachi Miller also had touchdown receptions. Led by senior Montii Perry, the Rams’ defense allows 15 points per contest. Kenwood, which advanced to the second round last season, features junior quarterback Malachi Henigan, who has thrown 21 touchdown passes and rushed for six touchdowns. Senior tailback Jamarius Andrus averages 115 yards per game with 14 rushing touchdowns, while senior receiver Lawrence Carr averages 89 yards per game with 12 touchdowns. Defensively, senior outside linebacker Solomon Agyeman-Badu leads the squad with 12 quarterback hurries, while sophomore Rayshard Warfield has four interceptions. The Broncos opened the season with a 20-18 loss to Palatine.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 1 Normal Community or No. 32 Edwardsville.
No. 25 St. Charles North (6-4) at No. 8 Brother Rice (7-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last week: St. Charles North 54, McHenry 6; Brother Rice bye
Outlook: The North Stars, making their fifth consecutive postseason appearance and 10th since Rob Pomazak took over as head coach in 2013, average 32 points and come off a 54-point effort against McHenry. Senior tailback Tommy Vendl, who ran for three touchdowns and caught an 84-yard screen pass for a touchdown last week, needs one rushing touchdown to break the school’s single-season mark of 13. Senior southpaw quarterback Landon Conroy completed 8 of 14 passes for 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns against McHenry. He will face a Brother Rice defense that allows 14 points per game. This is a similar Chicago Catholic League postseason path for the North Stars, who lost a 42-18 quarterfinal decision to Brother Rice last year, and suffered postseason defeats against Mt. Carmel (2024) and St. Rita (2022). The defending 7A state champion Crusaders feature 6-foot-2, 200-pound freshman quarterback Sam Holcomb (18 touchdown passes, seven touchdown runs), who already has offers from Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, among others. The former Downers Grove resident is the son of Next Level Athletix quarterback trainer Greg Holcomb. Brother Rice, ranked second (7A) in the latest Illinois Media poll, has scored 35-plus points during its five-game winning streak.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 9 Batavia or No. 24 Lincoln-Way Central.
No. 24 Lincoln-Way Central (6-4) at No. 9 Batavia (7-2)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Last week: Lincoln-Way Central 53, Rockford Jefferson 12; Batavia bye
Outlook: The Bulldogs begin postseason play for the 16th consecutive season against a solid Lincoln-Way Central squad coming off a 41-point playoff victory. Batavia, averaging 40 points per game, features senior dual-threat quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren. The Wyoming commit has accounted for 41 touchdowns, 28 passing and 13 rushing, while completing 73% (182 of 249) of his pass attempts. His targets include wideouts Darin Ashiru (78 catches, 998 yards, eight touchdowns), Brennon Zeng (38 catches, 633 yards, 10 touchdowns), and tight end Thomas Prescott (31 catches, 369 yards, four touchdowns). Senior tailback Charlie Rosengren has rushed for 552 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, the Bulldogs’ leaders include Luke Gardner (90 tackles), Gavin McKelvie (86 tackles), and Amaree Daniels (41 tackles, 11 tackles for loss). The Knights counter with junior quarterback Dean Tomczuk, junior receiver Luke Maeder, and backs Aiden Noto, Parker Hovanec, and Aidan Quirk.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 8 Brother Rice or No. 25 St. Charles North.
No. 37 DePaul (4-6) at No. 5 Prospect (8-1)
When: 7:00 p.m, Friday.
Last week: DePaul 37, Hampshire 34 OT; Prospect bye.
Outlook: DePaul broke a four-game losing streak in its overtime win over the Whip-Purs. The Rams lost 10-7 to St. Laurence in Week 9, while Prospect drilled the Vikings 44-7 in Week 2. Prospect has had two weeks to prepare after losing its final regular-season game to Hersey. Eastern Illinois commit Jackson Cacini has thrown for 1,908 yards and 19 touchdowns, completing 73% of his passes while throwing to Gordon Kemp, Matthew Collins, Matthew Donnelly and Henry Koziol. Donnelly has caught 11 touchdown passes out of the backfield while rushing for nearly 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Advancement: Winner plays winner between No. 21 Zion-Benton and No. 12 Rockford Guilford.
No. 31 Yorkville (5-5) at No. 2 Hersey (9-0)
When: 7:00 p.m, Friday.
Last week: Yorkville 41, Palatine 14; Hersey bye.
Outlook: Yorkville forced four turnovers in its win over Palatine. The Foxes also had a fake field goal that turned into a touchdown. Yorkville’s defense limited Palatine to 31 rushing yards and 175 yards of total offense. Hersey is averaging nearly 48 points per game. In the regular-season finale against Prospect, Hersey scored 48 points and had over 600 yards of offense. Hersey quarterback Jake Nawrot has completed 72% of his passes for 2,200 yard and 31 touchdowns. Nawrot, committed to Kentucky, spreads his passes to Josh Riggs, Jaxon Saint Paul, Dom Wentink, Zel Walton, Kye Parker Peterson and Jackson Travis. The Huskies also run the ball quite well with Travis. He’s coming off a school-record 295-yard performance and has gained 1,093 yards with 15 touchdowns on the season.
Advancement: Winner plays winner between No. 18 Moline and No. 15 Glenbard West.
No. 18 Moline (7-3) at No. 15 Glenbard West (6-3)
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Last week: Moline 42, Benet Academy 38; Glenbard West bye
Outlook: The Hilltoppers are plenty battle tested, having played Lockport (21-14 win) and St. Rita (36-35 loss) in nonconference action prior to the rugged West Suburban Silver schedule. Senior quarterback AJ Rayford directs Glenbard West’s offense, supported by senior tailbacks Ace Harris and Jaylen McMiller, senior tight end/Northwestern commit Brady Johnson, and senior wide receiver Keyante Johnson. Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet has guided the program to 18 postseason appearances in 19 seasons, including Class 7A state championships in 2012 and 2015. The Hilltoppers are ranked 10th (Class 7A) in the latest Illinois Media poll. Moline, looking for its eighth consecutive win, rallied from a 38-28 fourth-quarter deficit to knock off Benet last week. Quarterback Kasen Ponder connected with Garrett Schram on a 99-yard touchdown pass before tossing a 25-yard desperation touchdown pass to sophomore Evan Ellis for the game-winning score. Tailbacks Alex Ossian and Marc Cary each ran for touchdowns. The Maroons, making their eighth postseason appearance in nine seasons, own a 9-25 career playoff record.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 2 Hersey or No. 31 Yorkville.
No. 35 West Chicago (5-5) at No. 3 Downers Grove North (8-1)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: West Chicago 48, Prosser 24; Downers Grove North bye
Outlook: The Wildcats earned their first postseason victory since their Class 3A state championship squad in 1974 last week against Prosser behind senior quarterback Lucas Wheat (7 of 11, 189 yards, three touchdowns) and senior tailback Iann Lemus (20 carries, 113 yards, three touchdowns). Senior back Liam Zbierski added 187 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, junior free safety Donovan Hamilton recorded a team-high nine tackles, while Lemus added eight tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception on defense. The Wildcats have scored 147 points during their three-game winning streak. Now, they step up in competition against an eight-win Downers Grove North squad that captured its first outright West Suburban Silver title since 1990. While the Trojans’ offense, featuring tailback Grant Georgas, quarterback/tailback Kevin Jay, quarterback Joe Goodwin, and receiver Rayjon Johnson averages 33 points, the defense is a consistent force. Led by Declan Davies, Jacob Vroman, Connor Crawley, and Griffin Lockwood, the Trojans have posted four shutouts and have not allowed more than 18 points in any game this season.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 14 St. Rita or No. 19 Buffalo Grove.
No. 19 Buffalo Grove (7-3) at No. 14 St. Rita (6-3)
When: 7:00 p.m., Friday.
Last week: Buffalo Grove 28, Andrew 27; St. Rita bye.
Advancement: Winner plays winner between No. 3 Downers Grove North and No. 35 West Chicago.
Outlook: This is the first meeting between the teams since 1978 when St. Rita defeated the Bison 15-9 in the Class 5A state title game. Buffalo Grove stopped a two-point conversion attempt by Andrew in the final two minutes to move into this matchup. The key move came earlier in the game when Bison coach Jeff Vlk, seeing that Andrew was keying on 1,000-yard rusher Matthew Kaput, moved Dominic Peterson to quarterback. The adjustment paid huge dividends as Peterson rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown. That move gives Buffalo Grove options against the Mustangs with Nathan Raef, who threw for 98 yards and a touchdown, also available. After beginning the season 2-3, St. Rita has won four in row. The Mustangs average 28 points and are led by quarterback John Fennell, running back Brandon Johnson and 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive lineman Ohimai Ozolua, who is committed to Michigan State.
No. 38 Glenbard North (4-6) at No. 6 Jacobs (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Glenbard North 34, Hoffman Estates 20; Jacobs bye
Outlook: Following their 14-point opening round upset win over Hoffman Estates, the Panthers have an opportunity to advance against one of the better Fox Valley Conference squads. Last week, senior tailback Angelo Gatses enjoyed a four-touchdown performance — rushing for 104 yards and three touchdowns while adding a pair of receptions and a score for the Panthers. Gatses, who averages 141 yards per game with 19 rushing touchdowns, also starts at cornerback where he will square off against Jacobs junior leading receiver Owen Crouch (88-yard average, nine touchdowns). Quarterback Logan Kramer added 114 yards rushing on 18 carries, while completing 9 of 15 passes for 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Hoffman Estates. Michael Barnes III caught four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Anthony Gibson booted four of six kickoffs for touchbacks last week. Jacobs counters with junior quarterback Austin Stennett, who tossed 16 touchdown passes during the regular season. Sophomore tight end Chris Williams (six touchdowns) adds receiving depth, while senior Nick Meyer (56-yard average), five touchdowns) and junior Aiden Brunner (54-yard average, five touchdowns) share time in the offensive backfield. Junior strong safety Cooper Dolson has a team-high two interceptions for the Golden Eagles, who own a 5-0 home record.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 11 Richards or No. 22 Niles North.
Class 6A
No. 9 Burlington Central (7-3) at No. 8 Lake Zurich (6-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Burlington Central 41, Rockford East 10; Lake Zurich bye
Outlook: “Lake Zurich is a program with a lot of history and their head coach (Dragan Teonic) is local to our area, so we are familiar with him and his staff,” Central coach Brian Iossi said. “In my opinion, we have a lot of similar player traits and skill sets, and I think we match up really well against each other.” Iossi likes how his offensive and defensive lines are playing. That offensive line features Landon Ayala, Andrew Peterson, Reece Parrinello, Luke Aguirre and Asher Parrinello, while the defensive line is comprised of Markus Hansen, Tobi Oduwa, Andrew Peterson and Payton Walter. A member of the Fox Valley Conference, the Rockets have rushed for 1,838 yards (6.9 per carry), led by Parker Auxier (697 yards, 11 touchdowns, 8.5 yards per carry) and RJ Perez (516 yards, 6.5 yards per carry). Quarterback Reece Beemer has thrown for 1.048 yards and 13 touchdowns and has thrown TD strikes to five different receivers led by Wagner Viebrock with 25 catches for 341 yards and three scores. Defensively, the Rockets had 12 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Ben Atieh has four interceptions, while Ben Hultgren has five sacks. Lake Zurich has won six of its last seven games. “Central has incredible team speed,” Teonic said. “Numbers 4 (Viebrock), 5 (Auxier), 10 (Bennek Braden) and 1 (Noah Rudden) can all burn.” Teonic said Leo Catalano’s leadership, stability and toughness have been notable, while Tanner Dye has impressed with his growth and impact this season and Adrian Stanek has stood out for his unselfishness and effort. The Bears have run for 1,402 yards with five players tallying 180 or more rushing yards and seven players scoring at least one rushing touchdown. Stanek has run for 414 yards, while Joey Wessman has five rushing touchdowns and Benji Ferguson has four rushing scores. Wessman and Ferguson have combined to pass for 775 yards and six touchdowns. Arturo Zarinana leads the Bears defense with 90 tackles (seven for loss). Marko Zaro has five field goals, and punter Dylan Knappstein has nailed 13 of his 27 punts inside the 20.
Advancement: Winner plays No. 1 Machesney Park Harlem or No. 17 St. Charles East in 6A second round
No. 13 Chicago Noble-Muchin (6-4) at No. 4 Libertyville (7-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last week: Noble-Muchin 18, Noble-UIC 0; Libertyville bye
Outlook: Muchin College Prep, located on State Street in downtown Chicago, has won two in a row heading into Libertyville. Obadiah Boadu (30 catches, 620 yards, five touchdowns), De’andre Schauf (1,958 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 134.8 QB rating), Brandon Brown (43 tackles, 17 for loss, 10 sacks), Tyler Donald (6-0, 267; 52 tackles, 20 for loss, eight sacks) and Kaydrion Woods (600 rushing yards, six TDs, 7.7 yards per carry, 39 tackles, 16 for loss, eight sacks) pace Muchin. North Suburban Conference champion Libertyville has won seven in a row after an 0-2 start. “Noble-Muchin is pretty solid defensively and has a good quarterback as well as two receivers he looks to target,” Wildcats coach Tim Budge said. Budge noted senior safety Luca Kalinowski had a good game against Zion, “which helped our defense play well against a really good running back,” he said. Budge added Graham Sondalle has been making a major impact on the Cats’ offense the last few weeks with elite speed to get deep, as well as strong blocking skills. Sondalle had a 62-yard TD grab in Week 9 against Zion, while sophomore Keegan Martin had two TDs in the Zion game. Jackson Yarc has thrown for 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns and has completed passes to 15 different receivers. Standout tight end and Texas commit Brock Williams has five rushing touchdowns, five receiving TDs and 718 all-purpose yards (278 kickoff yards). Matthew Hara (71 tackles) and Kaden Butt (70 tackles, 4 sacks) lead Libertyville in tackles.
Advancement: Winner plays No. 5 Grant or No. 12 Niles Notre Dame in 6A second round
No. 12 Niles Notre Dame (6-4) at No. 5 Grant Community (7-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Notre Dame 44, Maine West 0; Grant bye
Outlook: Notre Dame, out of the Chicago Catholic League Purple Division, has won three of its last four games and racked up 94 points over the last two weeks. “Grant runs a variation of a double wing offense, which we don’t see very often,” Dons coach Dan DeFranza said. “Grant will run the ball down your throat if you let them.” Dons senior QB Eric Cooper has set single-season team marks for passing yards (2,232) and passing touchdowns (32). He likes to throw it to senior Peter Panagiotopoulos, who has 70 catches for 1,021 yards and 16 touchdowns. Running backs Chris Love and Deonte Macon have a combined 12 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards. Outside backer Konrad Hozian (44 tackles, 13 for loss, seven sacks), TJ Forbes (47 tackles) and Tommy McManus (70 tackles, 13 for loss) lead the Notre Dame defense. Grant rides a six-game winning streak into this playoff contest. “Notre Dame is a big, physical team,” Grant coach Tim Norwood said. “They have a high-powered offense that can score on big plays.” Junior tailback Doltyn Longtin has run for 737 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Wyatt Cornell (senior linebacker) has 104 tackles. Norwood said senior quarterback Connor Evans has been key. “His stats do not show the importance that he has in our option offense,” he explained. “Connor does a great job running the offense and distributing the ball.” Junior two-way lineman Jonathan Mason is a player “who has not gotten any credit and does all the dirty work,” Norwood said. Junior tight end-linebacker Brody Lyons also plays two ways.
Advancement: Winner plays No. 13 Chicago Noble-Muchin or No. 4 Libertyville in 6A second round
No. 18 Carmel Catholic (4-6) at No. 2 Geneva (8-1)
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Last week: Carmel 38, Noble-Bulls 20; Geneva bye
Outlook: Carmel heads west to Geneva on Halloween night to face the state’s No. 1-ranked team in Class 6A according to the Illinois Media poll. “Geneva is a very good team with explosive athletes,” Carmel defensive coordinator Billy Moore said. “They have Division I talent at multiple positions.” Kristian Chadick has 10.5 tackles for loss and three sacks as a key cog for the Carmel defense. Kyron Hart has 10 touchdowns after tallying two in the opening round. Carmel freshman Will Buckingham made his first varsity start last week at safety “and made some big plays,” Moore said. Nykir Wallace, Moore added, stepped in at corner and played very well last week, while Giancarlo Arizmendi-Cruz stepped in on the offensive line and finished the game. DuKane Conference kingpin Geneva has scored 40 or more points in seven of nine contests. “Carmel is a very good team that plays a tough schedule,” Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen said. “They have athletes and are big and physical on both lines. We need to start fast coming off the bye week and establish the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.” Vikings quarterback Ben Peterson (Eastern Michigan) has thrown for 2,677 yards (72 percent completion) and 34 touchdowns against only two interceptions. Illinois recruit Bennett Konkey has 70 catches for 1,397 yards and 19 touchdowns, and Luke Ignoffo has 33 catches for 622 yards and eight touchdowns. Tate Beran has 430 kick return yards and 67 tackles on defense. Jameson Barbat has a team-high 70 tackles, while Jakob Barry has 66 tackles, Drew Smith has eight tackles for loss and Alex Abraham has four interceptions. Thorgesen lauded the recent work of Ignoffo, Beran and Smith.
Advancement: Winner plays No. 7 Wheaton North or No. 23 Rolling Meadows in 6A second round
No. 17 St. Charles East (4-6) at No. 1 Harlem (9-0)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: St. Charles East 42, Elk Grove 21; Harlem bye
Outlook: Competing in the rugged DuKane Conference certainly paid off during the Saints’ opening round playoff victory last week. “We’re battle tested,” Saints coach Nolan Possley said. Running behind all-conference offensive linemen Nolan Krzystofiak and Liam Barrett, senior tailback Johnny Solano ran for 158 yards and three touchdowns against Elk Grove. Junior quarterback Cruz Herrera completed 13 of 20 passes for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver/defensive back Christian Hirniak anchors a defense that includes linemen Dane Meyer, Grayson Caine, and linebackers Conner Landrey, Luciano Litro, Bryan Jordan, and Logan Denk. Now, they turn their attention to an unbeaten Harlem squad that has played just one close game all season — a 27-26 win over Rockton Hononegah in Week 4. Led by quarterback Braxton Fausett (18 touchdown passes), backs Tykeese Duncan (eight touchdowns), Ladarrius Foster (seven touchdowns), and receivers Lebron McClelland, Jackson Cook, and Khaire Muhammad, the Huskies average 39 points per game. At 6-foot-2, 270 pounds, tight end Matthew Andrus is another weapon for the Huskies, ranked second (6A) in the latest Illinois Media poll.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 8 Lake Zurich or No. 9 Burlington Central.
No. 23 Rolling Meadows (3-7) at No. 7 Wheaton North (6-3)
When: 7:00 p.m., Friday.
Last week: Rolling Meadows 34, Addison Trail 26; Wheaton North bye.
Advancement: Winner plays the winner between No. 2 Geneva and No. 18 Carmel.
Outlook: Last week the Mustangs got a solid performance from sophomore running back Ryder Smialowicz, who piled up 173 yards on 31 carries and scored two touchdowns. Gavin Prickett had his best game of the season, throwing for 180 yards and three touchdowns. The Mustangs, who also lean heavily on Luke Harvey on both sides of the ball, face a Wheaton North team that won its first five games of the season. But the Falcons struggled down the stretch, losing three of their last four games. Running back Mac Murray leads the Falcons’ rushing attack.
No. 14 Willowbrook (6-4) at No. 3 Rockton Hononegah (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Willowbrook 42, Amundsen 6; Rockton Hononegah bye
Outlook: Making its 10th straight postseason appearance, Willowbrook has won four of its last five, including last week’s opening round rout of Amundsen. Tailback Jax Chavez carried the ball 10 times for 61 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Warriors. Defensively, Willowbrook recorded a pair of interceptions while limiting Amundsen to 195 yards of total offense. Rockton Hononegah carries a five-game winning streak into the postseason, where it is making its 19th consecutive appearance. Led by senior quarterback Dominic Cacciatore (15 touchdown passes), Hononegah improved three games from last year’s 5-5 mark. Tailbacks Brody Sendele (87-yard average), Jacob Duval, and Marice Szarzynski have each scored seven rushing touchdowns, while senior receiver Giovanni Zepeda averages 51 yards per game with four touchdowns. Rockton’s lone loss came in week four against unbeaten Harlem (27-26).
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 6 Fenwick or No. 11 Highland Park.
No. 11 Joliet Catholic (6-4) at No. 6 Wheaton Warrenville South (6-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Joliet Catholic 44, Bradley-Bourbonnais 3; WW South bye
Outlook: Making their fourth consecutive postseason appearance, the junior-heavy Tigers face a Chicago Catholic League perennial power in Joliet Catholic. WW South junior quarterback AJ Rogers has a plethora of receivers to choose from, including 6-foot-4 senior tight end Jacob Bellows and junior wide receivers Blake Ittersagen, Steven Harvey, and Kennan Yarbrough. Juniors Trent Simpson and Malaki Thomas share the workload at running back, giving way to senior Clark Jensen on some short-yardage plays. Jensen, who starts at middle linebacker, headlines a defense that includes lineman Caden Schwichtenberg, free safety Mason Bachara, and linebacker Logan Bachara. Sophomore Drew Maletich handles the kicking duties for the Tigers, whose three losses are by a combined 14 points.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 3 Riverside-Brookfield or No. 14 Thornwood.
Class 5A
No. 17 Glenbard South (6-4) at No. 1 Antioch (9-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Glenbard South 40, Chicago Payton 7; Antioch bye
Outlook: A rematch of last year’s Class 6A first-round game that Antioch won, 45-23. Unbeaten Antioch, the No. 1 seed in the top half of the Class 5A bracket, treated the bye week as a disadvantage, coach Brian Glashagel said, “and we need to overcome it,” he noted. One way to do that, he pointed out, is to continue to excel in what he calls the hidden ingredients to the Sequoits’ success: a massive plus-21 turnover ratio, great special teams and minimal penalties. Glashagel said sophomore linebacker Caleb Caldani has been outstanding. “Get used to that name,” he said. Junior running back Kelen Wilson (8.94 yards per carry and four touchdowns) is back from injury “and has added a whole new dimension to our offense,” Glashagel said. Six-foot-4 wideout Miles Marabella has made big plays. Wilson is one of five backfield players that when added up average 9.9 yards per carry, led by standout Gavin Stone (1,268 yards, 23 touchdowns). Logan Lennon (571 yards, eight touchdowns), Alan Sakalowski (248 yards, three touchdowns) and Austen Schine (186 yards, three touchdowns) also are part of that group. All five have an explosive of at least 28 yards with Stone (85 yards), Lennon (67 yards) and Salakowski (71 yards) even higher. Antioch’s defense has 16 interceptions and 307 interception return yards. Alex Herstowski (five picks, 63 tackles), Caldani (four picks, 61 tackles), Lennon (three picks) and Chance Verden (two picks) lead the way in that category, while Andreas Kaliakmanis (65 tackles, four for loss), Harrison Victor (62 tackles, 10 for loss, three sacks) and Willie Hamilton (46 tackles, five for loss, three sacks) also have been notable on defense. South snapped a two-game losing streak last week. “One of the reasons they have had tremendous success this year is because of their play on the line,” Raiders coach Ryan Crissey said of Antioch. South is powered by junior three-year starters Anthony Baldauf (576 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, 894 all-purpose yards, 31.4 yards per kick return) and Elijah Donahue (1,001 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns, 1,609 all-purpose yards, four return touchdowns), junior middle linebacker Alan Pikul (11 tackles for loss, 70.5 total tackles) and quarterback Tommy Bauman (1,753 passing yards, 21 touchdown), who also is a three-year varsity starter. Between them, Baldauf and Donahue have 794 return yards and five return touchdowns.
Advancement: Winner plays No. 8 Belvidere or No. 9 Sycamore in 5A second round
No. 20 Lakes (5-5) at No. 4 Wauconda (7-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Lakes 44, Chicago Senn 0; Wauconda bye
Outlook: Wauconda won the Northern Lake County Conference matchup in Week 3 by a 20-7 count. “Wauconda has a physical style of running the ball and uses the pass for shot plays,” Eagles coach Jason Ellerman said. Ethan Gialo leads Lakes in rushing with 978 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Jason LaBelle has a team-high 19 receptions and four receiving touchdowns. Robbie Siebert is tops in tackles with 75 (two sacks, three fumble recoveries). Ellerman said John Tobin had a nice game last week against Senn with eight tackles (three for loss), while AJ Hogan caught a touchdown pass and played well at corner. Ellerman added Shane Krause also played well on both lines. Wauconda looks to snap a two-game losing streak. “Playing a team from our own conference a second time brings some challenges,” Bulldogs coach Chris Prostka said. “There is definitely familiarity with personnel and scheme.” Prostka said Khamryn Brown fights on the Wauconda defensive line and makes the plays that don’t always get seen. “Khamryn is a hard-nosed, tough player,” he said. Noah Schuck is a two-way lineman. The coach added Hayden Wolf has been ready and able to respond to adversity in some of Wauconda’s toughest moments. Luke Sickmeir (tied for state lead with eight interceptions), Cashton Silton (69 tackles), Finn Loomis (35 tackles, four for loss, 2.5 sacks), Colton Zak (33 tackles, five for loss, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries) and Brody Rudolph (53 tackles) lead the way on defense, while Cooper Karaszewski (1,029 passing yards, 10 touchdowns), Rudolph (more than 1,000 all-purpose yards, 16 total TDs) and Sickmeir (806 receiving yards, 11 total TDs) have been elite on offense.
Advancement: Winner plays No. 5 Wheaton Academy or No. 12 Belvidere North in 5A second round
No. 12 Belvidere North (6-4) at No. 5 Wheaton Academy (6-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Belvidere North 42, Freeport 29; Wheaton Academy bye
Outlook: First-year head coach Justin Swider’s Warriors enjoyed a superb 7-2 regular season, as their only losses were heartbreakers — 34-28 to Bishop McNamara and 32-27 to Aurora Christian. Senior quarterback Colton Miller leads an offense that averages 31 points per game, supported by senior tight end/Western Illinois commit Logan Oros, senior wide receiver Eli Cherry, and junior wideout Joseph From. Ethan Brooks and Ryan Siders share the workload in the offensive backfield. Wheaton Academy opened the season with a 6-0 mark for the first time since 1957. Making its ninth straight playoff appearance, Belvidere North reached the 5A semifinals a year ago before falling to eventual state champion St. Francis (35-13). Quarterback Wyatt Treadway, who had a 63-yard touchdown run last week, directs the Blue Thunder offense. Speedy tailback Zavian McElroy has game-breaking ability, evidenced by his 73-yard touchdown run against Freeport. The offensive line is anchored by 6-6, 280-pound tackle Finlay Tuckley.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 4 Wauconda or No. 20 Lakes.
No. 18 St. Francis (6-4) at No. 2 Kaneland (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: St. Francis 61, Grayslake North 6; Kaneland bye
Outlook: The defending Class 5A state champion Spartans are beginning to flex their muscles following a slow start. Junior quarterback Jadon Wilson tossed three first-quarter touchdown passes to Ty’Ree Dickson, Blayke Lohmann and Greg Bess-Henning as St. Francis raced to a 55-6 halftime lead last week. Dickson, a freshman, finished with three receptions for 82 yards and three touchdowns. While the Spartans have received solid contributions from several younger players, senior veterans James McGrath and Tivias Caldwell continue to provide leadership. Caldwell ran for 84 yards and a touchdown against Grayslake North, while Western Illinois commit McGrath leads the team with 11 tackles per game at strong safety. Kaneland carries a five-game winning streak into the postseason, thanks in part to quarterback Brody Guthrie, senior tailback Colton Ludwig (112-yard average), senior receiver Nolan Claeson (73-yard average), and junior wideout Cooper Stombres. Mikey Spallasso, Jackson Little, and Griffin Seaton anchor the Knights’ defense that allows 15 points per contest. Kaneland is ranked No. 8 (Class 5A) in the latest Illinois Media poll.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 7 Woodstock or No. 23 Prairie Ridge.
No. 11 Hinsdale South (6-4) at No. 6 Cary-Grove (7-2)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Hinsdale South 49, Fenton 10; Cary-Grove bye
Outlook: Coming off their first playoff victory since 2017 last week, the Hornets look to continue their turnaround season against a perennial powerhouse Cary-Grove squad that is making its 21st postseason appearance in 22 seasons. Junior defensive back Nathan Navarro recorded two of the Hornets’ season-high four interceptions against Fenton, while quarterback Benjamin Miller tossed three touchdown passes and added a two-yard touchdown run — all in the first half. Koby Armstrong, Connor Jaffrey and Donte Jett caught touchdown passes, while tailback Orion Christman rushed for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns. “We’re a 5A school but we play an 8A schedule,” said Hornets coach Jarrod Amolsch. “Cary-Grove is a great program but our kids aren’t afraid.” The Trojans, who have eight double-digit winning seasons in 14 years, have scored 35-plus points in their last six games. Cary-Grove’s offense features quarterback Jackson Berndt and backs Luke Cerasa, Ty Tenopir, Shamrion Prude, and Travis Evelo. Cary-Grove is ranked 10th (Class 5A) in the latest Illinois Media poll.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 3 King or No. 14 Deerfield.
Class 4A
No. 9 Geneseo (7-3) at No. 8 Montini (6-3)
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Last week: Genoa-Kingston 42, North Chicago 14; Montini bye
Outlook: The two-time defending state champions, 3A in 2024 and 4A last year, open postseason action as the second-ranked Class 4A team according to the latest Illinois Media poll. Senior quarterback Izzy Abrams, who leads the Broncos’ prolific offense that averages 41 points per game, threw his school-record 500th pass completion against St. Francis. Abrams, a Miami commit, has plenty of targets to choose from, including senior leading receiver Damacio Ortegon (11 touchdowns) and Donavan Evans (five touchdowns). Ben Evenson leads the squad in tackles, while Johnny Louise handles kicking and kick returning for the Broncos, who own a 33-4 record the past three seasons. Legendary coach Bob Reade helped put Geneseo on the state football map with three consecutive Class 3A state titles from 1976-1978. The Maple Leafs reached the 4A state quarterfinals a year ago before falling to Morris (28-26). Last week, Geneseo built a 42-0 halftime lead behind running back Mark Nelms’ two touchdowns. Quarterback Luca Turigliatti, who averages 97 yards rushing per game, added a 12-yard touchdown run against North Chicago. Sophomore fullback/linebacker Ben Simosky has scored eight touchdowns along with two sacks.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 1 Morris or No. 17 Tinley Park.
No. 20 Marmion (4-6) at No. 4 Sterling (7-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Marmion 40, North Lawndale 0; Sterling bye
Outlook: The Cadets snapped a three-game losing streak while capturing their first postseason win last week since 2021. Running back Henry Miller enjoyed a superb day, rushing for 128 yards on 10 carries with three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Colin McEniry completed 8 of 13 passes for 120 yards and touchdowns to Aidan Miller (four receptions, 61 yards) and Ryan Loria (27 yards). Defensively, junior linebacker Michael Justiss recorded a team-high 12 tackles, while senior defensive back Joseph Ruggerio added nine stops. Sterling, making its 12th consecutive postseason appearance, counters with senior tailback Cobey Shipma, who averages 89 yards per game with five touchdowns. Senior quarterback Brady Berlin directs the offense, supported by receivers Quincy Maas (81-yard average), Deandre Maas, and Koltyn Chapman. Sterling, averaging 34 points per game, has scored 27-plus points seven times.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 5 Phoenix or No. 12 Hillcrest.
No. 22 Aurora Central Catholic (4-6) at No. 6 Rauner College Prep (7-2)
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Hanson Stadium, Chicago
Last week: Aurora Central Catholic 49, Carver 8; Rauner bye
Outlook: Freshman quarterback Griffin Curry experienced a memorable postseason debut, accounting for four touchdowns against Carver last week. Curry connected on touchdown passes with Aidan Crisci, Leo Corral, and Miguel Vazquez, while rushing for a score. Crisci added a touchdown run for the Chargers, who are 4-2 since beginning the season with four consecutive losses. Billy Arch and Alixander Anaya both returned fumbles for touchdowns, as the Chargers recorded a season-high point total. Rauner, making its second playoff appearance in school history, features junior tailback Ryder Carrasco (147-yard average, 16 touchdowns) and junior defensive tackle Floyd Crumpton (six sacks, four tackles per game). This is a rematch of last year’s first-round clash won by ACC, 32-14.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 3 Clark or No. 14 Rochelle.
Class 3A
No. 14 Genoa-Kingston (6-4) at No. 3 IC Catholic Prep (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Genoa-Kingston 25, North Boone 20; IC Catholic Prep bye
Outlook: The Knights earned a well-deserved weekend off following an 8-1 regular season that included victories over Nazareth, St. Ignatius, St. Laurence and Joliet Catholic, with a 45-35 loss to Class 8A state-ranked Loyola Academy in Week 8. Senior quarterback Nate Lang has enjoyed a superb season for the Knights, flanked by junior all-state receiver/linebacker Grant Bowen, senior receivers Jaden Penna and Anthony Carroccio, junior receiver Will Schmidt, and sophomore tailback Jakobe Baldwin. Baldwin carried the ball 17 times for 177 yards and a touchdown in their 6-0 win over Joliet Catholic. Schmidt, Penna, and Bowen are two-way standouts, while senior linebackers KJ Reese and Jalen Banks support the defense that allows 14 points per game. The Cogs avenged a 20-14 regular-season loss to North Boone with last week’s opening round playoff victory. After finishing 4-5 a year ago, Genoa-Kingston returned to the playoffs behind senior quarterback/free safety Jaiden Lee (eight passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns), senior running back/linebacker Brycen Wiegartz, and senior receiver Blake Ides (four touchdowns).
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 6 Johnsburg or No. 22 Marian Central Catholic.
Class 2A
No. 14 Winnebago (6-4) at No. 3 Aurora Christian (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Winnebago 42, Elmwood-Brimfield 12; Aurora Christian bye
Outlook: Making their ninth consecutive postseason appearance under head coach David Beebe, the Eagles received their highest playoff seeding since the top-seeded squad captured the Class 3A state title in 2011. Averaging 34 points per game, Aurora Christian features a dynamic offense headed by game-breaking junior tailback Jalen Callaway, sophomore running back/receiver Luke Baumann, and sophomore quarterback Jesus ‘Juju’ Vasquez. Callaway and Baumann excel on the defensive side of the ball as well. Receivers Carson Moreno, Ty Beebe and lineman TJ Anderson support the Eagles’ attack. Aurora Christian is ranked seventh (2A) in the latest Illinois Media poll. Winnebago earned its first postseason win last week since 2013. Winnebago, who finished 6-21 the past three seasons, clinched its first winning campaign since 2017. Senior quarterback Kaeden Langhoff leads the offense, flanked by junior tailback Cooper Larson (11 rushing touchdowns) and junior receiver/defensive end Bryant Beck (three touchdowns, three fumble recoveries). Brenden Erickson and Carter Neal each have two interceptions.
Advancement: The winner advances to next week’s second round against No. 6 Maroa-Forsyth or No. 22 Oregon.