Scouting Cook County first round playoff football games
Class 8A
No. 30 Glenbrook South (4-5) at No. 3 Barington (9-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Glenbrook South 42, Glenbrook North 21; Barrington 45, Conant 19
Last meeting: Barrington 28, Glenbrook South 19, Week 4
Advancement: Winner plays winner of No. 14 Naperville Central vs. No, 19 Downers Grove South
Outlook: Glenbrook South lost its first four games, all against state playoff opponents and then won four of their last five, to qualify with a 4-5 record. The Titans rebounded behind the running of Nate Canning, who has gained 1,737 yards. Berrington is back in the playoffs after just missing out last season. The Broncos have been able to move the ball extremely well on offense with Nick Peipert throwing for 2,043 yards and 26 touchdowns. Will Nazha has 624 of those yards and 6 touchdowns while Matt Marusich has 573 yards and 11 touchdowns. Dillon Fitzpatrick has piled up 1,083 yards rushing and another 206 receiving and has 18 touchdowns.
No. 17 Palatine (6-3) at No. 16 Neuqua Valley (6-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Palatine 42, Schaumburg 14; Neuqua Valley 26, Naperville Central 14
Last meeting: 2021 playoffs: Neuqua 31, Palatine 8
Advancement: Winner plays winner of No. 1 Loyola vs. No 32 Plainfield North
Outlook: With Dominik Ball leading the way, Palatine has leaned heavily on running the football for the last four years. Ball has piled up 4,068 yards including 1,391 yards this season and 19 touchdowns. But it may be his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield that really makes him most dangerous with 21 receptions for 382 yards and two touchdowns. The Pirates also will rely on quarterback Tommy Elter and wide receiver Ryan Donnelly to keep Neuqua from stacking the box. Neuqua has had a strong run defense this season and bottled-up Naperville Central last week. The Wildcats have surrendered just 32 points in the last four weeks while winning all four games.
No. 27 Lockport (5-4) at No. 6 Maine South (8-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Homewood-Flossmoor 34, Lockport 27; Maine South 35, Evanston 11
Last meeting: 8A state championship in 2021: Lockport 24, Maine South 6
Advancement: Winner plays winner No. 11 Belleville East vs. No. 22 East Aurora
Outlook: Lockport began the season with a strong start, winning their first three games. But the Porters followed that up with three consecutive losses. The were able to right the ship to win their next two games but faltered last week to Homewood-Flossmoor. Maine South is back right where they want to be. The Hawks are flying high with an offense that has been nearly unstoppable after the opening week of the season. With Constantine Coines comfortable running the offense, the Hawks have averaged 39 points per game since week 1.
Class 7A
No. 22 Buffalo Grove (6-3) at No. 11 Prospect (7-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Buffalo Grove 42, Rolling Meadows 20; Prospect 44, Wheeling 7
Last meeting: Prospect 63, Buffalo Grove 28
Advancement: Winner plays winner No. 6 Mt. Carmel vs. No. 27 St. Rita
Outlook: The is a quick rematch from just two weeks ago. In that game, Buffalo Grove was without Anthony Palano, Samuel Cho, Tyler Baker and Alex Brana. Those four players play both sides of the ball for the Bison. That should also free up quarterback Payton Diaz to operate more freely. Prospect has been on a strong upward trend the past three weeks. With the connection of quarterback Jake Skoog and wide receiver Nick Carlucci, who combined for four touchdowns against Buffalo Grove, and the running of Noah Easter, the Knights have averaged 54 points the past few weeks. Prospect has also been strong defensively and has allowed 19 points per game during that span.
No. 21 Hoffman Estates (6-3) at No. 12 Lincoln-Way West (7-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: Hoffman Estates 33, Fremd 27; Lincoln-Way West 31, Andrew 23
Last meeting: First meeting
Advancement: Winner plays winner of No. 5 Maine West vs. No. 28 Collinsville
Outlook: Lincoln-Way West returns to the playoffs after their 11-season run was snapped last year. They have won five of their last six games and are averaging 28 points per game. Hoffman has been to the playoffs the last three seasons, so they are battle tested. They have counted heavily on Stephone Sellers, Quincy Williams and Nate Cleveland this season and all three are dangerous every time they touch the ball. The Hawks showed a new element with the play of Matt Lawson last week. Lawson accounted for four touchdowns along with 182 yards in receiving and rushing. The Hoffman offensive and defensive lines have also played well.
No. 28 Collinsville (5-4) at #5 Maine West (9-0)
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Last week: Triad 36, Collinsville 35; Maine West 28, Niles North 0
Last meeting: 1st meeting
Advancement: Winner plays winner No. 12 Lincoln-Way West vs. No. 21 Hoffman Estates
Outlook: Collinsville needed a win last Friday to enter the playoffs and the Kahoks were able to produce one. It is their third consecutive trip to the state tournament for Collinsville, which plays as an independent schedule. Anything Maine West accomplishes from this point forward is just desert. The Warriors completed their season with a 9-0 record to become the first team in school history to earn that mark. But they feel that they have lots more to accomplish. A stingy defense that has allowed just six points per game has been their calling card. But the Warriors' legacy will also include the ability to win close games and rally when needed.
No. 29 Wheaton Warrenville South (5-4) at No. 4 Hersey (9-0)
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Last week: WW South 24, St. Charles East 3; Hersey 63, Elk Grove 14
Last meeting: 1st meeting
Advancement: Winner plays winner No. 13 Downers Grove North vs. No. 20 Kenwood
Outlook: Both teams each only beat two teams with winning records this season. WW South knocked off Simeon and crosstown rival Wheaton North. Hersey beat conference rivals Buffalo Grove and Prospect. But that's where the similarity ends. WW South's offense has been buoyed by the return of running back Matt Crider. But Crider and WW South will have to contend with a Hersey defense that has not only been tough on the run, but difficult to throw against. The Huskies defense, which is sparked by Robert Martin, Andrew Pignataro, Gus Dammann, Brandon Pflomm, Casron Grove and Charlie Meister, has allowed just 50 points all season. Meanwhile, the Huskies offense continues to be one of the tops in state, averaging 45.3 points per game.
Class 4A
No. 12 St. Viator (5-4) at No. 5 Richmond-Burton (7-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: St. Viator 49, Marmion 27; Rochelle 30, Richmond Burton 20
Last meeting: 1st meeting
Advancement: Winner plays winner of No 4 Wheaton Academy vs. No. 13 Phoenix
Outlook: Richmond-Burton is making its 15th consecutive playoff appearance. Going into this season, Richmond-Burton had lost just four games in the last four seasons. The Lions are back in the playoffs for the second consecutive season but have not won a state playoff game since 2017. They will be looking to change that thanks to the duo of Copper Kmet and Dayvion Ellis. Kmet threw for 422 yards and 7 touchdowns and was named Chicago Bears High School Player of the Week. Ellis had 8 catches for 213 yards and 4 touchdowns.