Scouting Benet at WW South

No. 8 Benet (5-4) at No. 1 WW South (9-0)

Class 7A

Game time: 7 p.m. today.

Redwings fast fact: Second appearance in 7A playoffs.

Tigers fast fact: 18-3 in first-round playoff games.

Outlook: The Redwings survived a brutal East Suburban Catholic Conference schedule, featuring Joliet Catholic and Carmel, to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The reward is the stiffest challenge in 7A against the defending state champion Tigers. Benet leans on a strong senior class headed by a handful of standouts. Offensive lineman Pat Flavin is one of the state's premier recruits, and Jeff Schmittgens is a contributor on both sides of the line. E.J. Howe's rushed for 894 yards and 7 touchdowns and Connor Nelligan, another two-way player, has 42 catches for 574 yards and 9 touchdowns. Linebacker Pat Boyle anchors the defense that must try to slow the area's top offense. University of Illinois-bound quarterback Reilly O'Toole has completed 73 percent of his passes for 1,972 yards and 29 touchdowns. With lineman Will Davis and linebacker Mike Monterrubio leading the way, the Tigers' defense has allowed the fewest points in the 7A field.

Advancement: Winner advances to play the winner between No. 5 Marian Catholic (7-2) and No. 4 Wheaton North (7-2).