Capsule previews: Week 8 in area high school football
October 11, 2012 8:28PM
Updated: November 13, 2012 6:14AM
NO. 3 JOLIET CATHOLIC (5-2, 4-1) at NOTRE DAME (4-3, 2-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Joliet Catholic 34, Carmel 27 (OT); Marist 21, Notre Dame 14
The breakdown: Joliet Catholic will travel to face a desperate East Suburban Catholic foe in Notre Dame. The Dons, who finish next week against Carmel, have dropped two straight and still need one victory to be playoff eligible. Hilltoppers coach Dan Sharp is trying to piece together a lineup. He said in mid-week that between five and 10 starters could miss this game with injuries.
H-F (5-2, 3-2) at JOLIET WEST (3-4, 2-3)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last week: H-F 49, Joliet Central 0; Joliet West 28, Lockport 7
The breakdown: Joliet West has won two of its last three and is running into an athletic SouthWest Suburban Blue opponent that has blown out its last two opponents. Junior running back Jordan Brown had a big game last week for the Tigers, who must win to keep any hope of a playoff berth alive. H-F won last year’s match-up 56-19.
NO. 1 LINCOLN-WAY EAST (7-0, 5-0) at JOLIET CENTRAL (0-7, 0-5)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last week: Lincoln-Way East 36, Lincoln-Way Central 7; H-F 49, Joliet Central 0
The breakdown: The top and bottom teams in the SouthWest Suburban Blue get together in Joliet Central’s final home game of the season. The Steelmen fell to Lincoln-Way East 42-0 last year and have scored nine points total over the last three weeks. East quarterback Tom Fuessel has rushed for 676 yards while passing for 418.
MINOOKA (3-4, 3-2) at NO. 9 PLAINFIELD NORTH (5-2, 4-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Minooka 31, Oswego East 7; Oswego 35, Plainfield North 7
The breakdown: Plainfield North’s five-game winning streak went by the board last week against Southwest Prairie leader Oswego, and the Tigers know they need another victory to make sure of a playoff berth. Minooka must win out in order to qualify. The Indians, who beat North 28-21 last season, will have to contend with area rushing leader Jay Roberts.
LOCKPORT (1-6, 1-4) at SANDBURG (6-1, 4-1)
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last week: Joliet West 28, Lockport 7; Sandburg 13, Bolingbrook 6 (OT)
The breakdown: With Sandburg coming off an emotional SouthWest Suburban Blue overtime victory over Bolingbrook, Lockport is hoping to catch the Eagles in a letdown. But to pull the upset the Porters need to score points against a rugged defense, which has allowed more than seven points once since Week 1. Lockport has scored more than seven points once all season, and in that game, two of its three TDs were defensive scores.
LINCOLN-WAY CENTRAL (3-4, 2-3) at NO. 4 BOLINGBROOK (5-2, 3-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Lincoln-Way East 36, Lincoln-Way Central 7; Sandburg 13, Bolingbrook 6 (OT)
The breakdown: Bolingbrook has dropped two straight with senior quarterback Aaron Bailey on the sidelines with a sprained right knee. Sophomore Quincy Woods has filled in, and (794 rushing yards, 10.7 average) has picked up some of the slack. Lincoln-Way Central must win in order to remain in the playoff picture.
THORNWOOD (2-5, 1-4) at LINCOLN-WAY WEST (4-3, 3-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Thornton 33, Thornwood 0; Lincoln-Way West 39, Stagg 16
The breakdown: The final home game of the season for Lincoln-Way West could help steer the Warriors toward a playoff berth. Running back Nick Dangles (608 yards, 5.8 average) and quarterback Justin Keuch (65-of-127, 817 yards) and receiver Adam Slattery (24 receptions, 328 yards) are primary offensive threats for the Warriors.
NO. 2 PROVIDENCE (6-1, 2-1) at ST. IGNATIUS (2-5, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at University of Chicago
Last week: Providence 38, Lake Forest Academy 10; St. Ignatius 20, Hales Franciscan 14
The breakdown: Providence has an opportunity to continue an outstanding season in this Catholic League crossover. St. Ignatius has won two of its last three but probably is not a match for the Celtics. Brian Lagone has passed for 648 yards and rushed for 235 for Providence. Brandon Price (727 yards, 5.5 average) and Chad Weaver (419 yards, 8.9 average) are keys in the ground game.
OSWEGO (6-1, 5-0) at PLAINFIELD SOUTH (3-4, 2-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Oswego 35, Plainfield North 7; Plainfield Central 21, Plainfield South 6
The breakdown: Oswego has been a scoring machine and is proving to be the class of the Southwest Prairie. South has no choice but to pull the upset if the Cougars hope to keep playoff hopes burning. South will need good games from quarterback Ricky Luna and running back John Kosirog to keep up with the Panthers.
ROMEOVILLE (0-7, 0-5) at OSWEGO EAST (3-4, 1-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Plainfield East 27, Romeoville 14; Minooka 31, Oswego East 7
The breakdown: Oswego East has dropped three straight and its defense has allowed an average of 41 points over those three games, so the Romeoville offense may like its chances to contribute in this Southwest Prairie battle. The Spartans, who beat Oswego East 31-10 last year, have weapons in running backs Miguel Ford (305 yards, 4.1 average) and Caleb Bailey (268 yards, 8.7 average).
NO. 5 MORRIS (7-0, 3-0) at ROCHELLE (5-2, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Morris 56, DeKalb 21; Sycamore 26, Rochelle 14
The breakdown: Morris is zeroed in on the Week 9 game at unbeaten Kaneland that will decide the Northern Illinois Big 12 East title. But first things first. The Redskins need to get this one against a Rochelle team that has dropped two of three but still is dangerous. Morris won last year’s match-up 14-10.
BREMEN (4-3, 2-3) at NO. 6 LEMONT (6-1, 3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: T.F. South 21, Bremen 7; Lemont 42, Hillcrest 0
The breakdown: Lemont regrouped last week after its 21-20 overtime loss to T.F. South in Week 6 and still has thoughts of sharing the South Suburban Blue title. The Indians, who beat Bremen 21-0 last year, will rely on thier defense and the running of Chris Giatras (749 yards, 7.1 average).
Compiled by Dick Goss
