Richards, Lincoln-Way East, Oak Forest, Lemont and Nazareth are picks to click for the fifth week of the regular season.
Richards (3-1, 2-0) at Argo (3-1, 1-1)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Richards heads into this South Suburban Red game having scored 110 points over its last two outings, including Friday’s 68-12 rout of crosstown rival Oak Lawn.
The Bulldogs have established some balance, with sophomore La’Darrius Foster stepping up to complement senior Myles Mitchell at running back and junior Noah Escobedo continuing to develop at quarterback.
Argo is looking to bounce back from its first setback of the season, a 25-10 loss to Shepard. The Argonauts’ defense had allowed just nine points total in the first three weeks and will need to play on that level again to have a shot against the Bulldogs. Senior quarterback Javoris Cotton can make things happen for Argo.
X-factor: Milan Mosely, Richards, senior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Richards.
Homewood-Flossmoor (3-1, 1-0) at Lincoln-Way East (4-0, 1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both teams won their first conference games last week in the new Southwest Valley Blue.
H-F bounced back from a Week 3 loss to Sandburg by rolling to a 43-16 win over Neuqua Valley. Senior running back Michael Terrell Jr. has become a force to complement senior quarterback RJ McDonald.
Lincoln-Way East has scored 49 points in each of its three games — the Griffins also have a win via forfeit — including a 49-17 victory over Naperville North on Friday.
Senior defensive lineman Caden O’Rourke (Northwestern) leads a stout Lincoln-Way East defense, while junior quarterback Jonas Williams (Oregon) has been on fire.
Can the H-F defensive front, led by senior lineman Cameron Brooks (Illinois), find a way to get some pressure on Williams?
X-factor: Brody Gish, Lincoln-Way East, junior, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Lincoln-Way East’s Caden O’Rourke (91) celebrates with teammates after returning an interception for a TD against Batavia during a nonconference game in Frankfort on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Oak Forest (2-2, 2-0) at Tinley Park (2-2, 0-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: These district rivals meet up for this South Suburban Blue showdown heading in opposite directions.
Oak Forest lost its first two games before back-to-back wins, including a 46-0 rout of Bremen last week. Tinley Park opened with two wins before back-to-back losses, falling 32-14 to Hillcrest in Week 3.
After going 2-7 last season, the Bengals have their eyes on a return to the playoffs. Junior quarterback Daniel Chopp can make plays with his arm and his legs.
Looking to get back on track and push for a second straight postseason appearance, Tinley Park will lean on senior running back Keoni George.
X-factor: Jonathan Roberts, Oak Forest, senior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Oak Forest.
T.F. North (4-0, 1-0) at Lemont (2-2, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The two top contenders for the South Suburban Blue title meet after Lemont won a wild 19-18 game against the Meteors last season when T.F. North’s 2-point conversion attempt in the final seconds was no good.
Lemont opened the season with lopsided losses to Libertyville and Geneva — a pair of undefeated teams — and the tough out-of-conference schedule seems to have the team prepared for conference play.
Lemont beat T.F. South 51-14 last week. Senior running back Julius Dian is having a big season.
T.F. North stayed undefeated by edging Evergreen Park 19-14 and is trying to get to 5-0 for the second straight season. Junior defensive lineman Jaden Kerl is a big presence up front.
X-factor: Max Montesinos, T.F. North, sophomore, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lemont.
Joliet Catholic (3-1) at Nazareth (3-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This CCL/ESCC crossover is a rematch of the 2023 Class 5A state championship game, which Nazareth won 38-20. Both teams are again among the state’s elite.
Joliet Catholic is coming off a possible season-changing victory over Marist, pulling out a 31-30 win in overtime as Larry Stringham ran for 238 yards and three TDs on 24 carries.
The Hilltoppers’ defense, including senior linebackers Daniel Rouse and Nick Bueno, will have their hands full against senior quarterback Logan Malachuk, who has led Nazareth to back-to-back state championships.
The Roadrunners’ only loss was a 56-33 setback in Week 3 against Mount Carmel.
X-factor: Vincent DiNovo, Joliet Catholic, sophomore, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Nazareth.
