Lincoln-Way East, Eisenhower, Oak Forest, Providence and Mount Carmel are picks to click for Week 9.
Sandburg (6-2, 4-2) at Lincoln-Way East (7-1, 5-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Thursday.
Matchup breakdown: The Griffins and the Eagles get together for some Thursday night football, and all eyes are on the quarterbacks for this Southwest Valley Blue finale.
Will USC recruit Jonas Williams play for Lincoln-Way East after sitting out a Week 8 loss to Naperville North? If not, the Griffins will again turn to fellow senior quarterback Tyler Knollenberg and likely lean on senior running back Brody Gish.
Sandburg, meanwhile, had its own recent quarterback change after an injury to junior Sean Ruisz. Senior Jeffery Bellik stepped in and played well in a 24-21 win over Neuqua Valley, running for two touchdowns and throwing for another. Senior running back Luke Basiorka also became Sandburg’s all-time leading rusher.
X-factor: Quinn Durkin, Sandburg, junior, running back/receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Eisenhower (4-4, 3-2) at Shepard (3-5, 3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This South Suburban Red finale has major playoff implications.
Eisenhower nearly punched its ticket last week but dropped a 37-36 heartbreaker to Oak Lawn. Now, it all comes down to this game for the Cardinals and senior quarterback Demarion Hampton, a dual threat who ran for three TDs and threw for two scores in the loss to the Spartans.
With a victory, Shepard would become one of the top candidates to make the playoffs, if 4-5 teams are needed to complete the field, due to its high number of opponent wins.
The Astros edged Reavis 20-19 last week to stay alive. Billy Massey had a 10-yard TD run and Joey Massey returned an interception 33 yards for a score.
X-factor: Larnell Moore, Eisenhower, senior, receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Eisenhower.
Lemont (5-3, 5-0) at Oak Forest (7-1, 4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both teams look to bounce back quickly from Week 8 losses as they battle for the South Suburban Blue title.
Lemont would win the conference championship outright with a victory, while the Bengals can earn a share with the win.
The running back duo of senior Aiden Rudman and junior Andrew Ascolani leads Lemont, which is coming off a 54-27 loss to Richards.
Dual-threat senior quarterback Daniel Chopp looks to get Oak Forest back on track after its first loss, a 34-8 setback against Hillcrest.
X-factor: Andrew Dawson, Oak Forest, senior, receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Oak Forest.
Providence (6-2, 2-0) vs. Joliet Catholic (3-5, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
Matchup breakdown: The CCL/ESCC Orange title is on the line as these longtime rivals clash.
The Hilltoppers hope a victory would be enough to put them into the playoffs as a 4-5 team with a large number of opponent wins. Joliet Catholic has had success in a passing game led by senior quarterback Lucas Simulick and senior receiver Jayden Armstrong.
Entering on a three-game winning streak that includes victories over Marist, Loyola and Marian Catholic, the Celtics hope to continue their momentum and thwart their archrival’s playoff hopes.
Sophomore running back Brayden McKay and sophomore receiver DeAngelo Coates are standouts among several young playmakers for Providence.
X-factor: Broden Mackert, Providence, junior, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Providence.
Mount Carmel (8-0, 2-0) at Loyola (4-3, 1-1)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This CCL/ESCC Blue finale takes on a far different tone than recent showdowns between these two perennial powers.
Mount Carmel looks to complete a perfect regular season and potentially end the reign of three-time defending Class 8A champion Loyola. The Ramblers, who did not play a Week 2 game, would have a chance to make the playoffs at 4-4 but are in serious jeopardy of missing the cut.
Senior quarterback Emmett Dowling continues to thrive for the Caravan, while sophomore quarterback Matthew Lee looks to step up with all on the line for Loyola.
X-factor: Quentin Burrell, Mount Carmel, junior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.