We are already past the halfway point of the regular season. Time flies when fun football is being played.
Lincoln-Way East and St. Laurence have hit the magic mark of five wins and the rest of the area will continue to chase that number.
Last week, we looked at some all-stars for the first half. Now, let’s continue the midway-point observations with a breakdown of where all our local teams sit in the playoff hunt.
Here are my takeaways after Week 5:
Playoffs!? Yes, we’re talking about playoffs
With apologies to Jim Mora, it’s time to start thinking about the postseason. So, who’s getting in and who’s not?
There may be a couple exceptions to this rule, but for purposes of this exercise, let’s assume anyone with five wins makes the postseason and anyone with less does not.
First, let’s look at the locks. The aforementioned Griffins and Vikings are 5-0 and have November plans secured.
I will also go out on a limb and say the following four-win teams are sure bets to get to five: Mount Carmel, St. Rita, Marist, Morgan Park, Ag Science, Chicago Christian, T.F. North, Richards, Shepard and Sandburg.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Leo, Bremen, Oak Lawn, Thornwood and Thornton are 0-5. De La Salle is 1-4 with very little hope of winning out.
So, here are the teams in the middle:
Joliet Catholic (3-2) and Crete-Monee (3-2) should have no problems. Prediction: Both in.
Argo (3-2) could win out. But even if there’s a slip-up or two, the Argonauts will make it a program-record three straight playoff appearances. Prediction: In.
Lemont (3-2) will get its fourth win against Bremen this week. Richards, Oak Forest and Hillcrest present no easy fifth. Prediction: In.
Lockport (3-2) has back-to-back games with undefeated foes Naperville Central and Lincoln-Way East before finishing with Lincoln-Way West and Homewood-Flossmoor. It’s a brutal final month, and you may think I’m crazy, but the Porters find a way. Prediction: In.
H-F (3-2) can prevent its own drama by beating Metea Valley and Bradley-Bourbonnais the next two weeks. Prediction: In.
Lincoln-Way West (3-2) does not have an easy path with four opponents over .500 remaining but is too good to miss out. Prediction: In.
Andrew (3-2) can take of business against DeKalb and Neuqua Valley. Prediction: In.
Oak Forest (3-2) can return to the playoffs with wins over T.F. South and Oak Lawn. Prediction: In.
Rich Township (3-2) still has Kankakee, Crete-Monee and Lincoln-Way Central ahead. Prediction: Out.
Reavis (3-2) needs to beat Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park in the next two weeks. Prediction: Out.
If Brother Rice (2-3) can’t shock Mount Carmel this week, the Crusaders will need to win out against Notre Dame, St. Laurence, St. Ignatius. I say they find a way. Prediction: In.
This week’s matchup between T.F. South (2-3) and Hillcrest (2-3) shapes up as a potential elimination game. I’ll say the Hawks win and find a way to the playoffs. Prediction: Hillcrest in, T.F. South out.
For Marian Catholic (2-3), Tinley Park (2-3), Thornridge (2-3), Evergreen Park (2-3), Eisenhower (2-3), Bloom (2-2) and Stagg (2-3), the paths look too tough. Prediction: All out.
Yes, that still leaves two teams in New Lenox. We’ll get there.
Celtic magic?
As the final minute ticked down last week against Wheaton St. Francis, Providence looked done and bound for the assuredly out portion of the above breakdown.
Then something crazy happened.
The Celtics got one last chance — thanks in part to a controversial delay of game penalty that stopped the clock — and AJ Rayford hit Jayden Mikulski for a 26-yard TD pass on the final play of the game for a 27-25 Providence win.
Mikulski went up amongst a swarm of defenders, juggled the ball and then caught it on the way to the ground. Wow.
So, here’s the thing. The deck is still stacked against Providence (3-2), which needs to upset Marist, Loyola or Joliet Catholic.
But after last week’s finish, I say there’s some magic happening at Providence. The Celtics will find a way to get to the playoffs.
Most eye-opening score
Lincoln-Way Central 28, Bradley-Bourbonnais 6.
The Knights (3-2) had little trouble with the previously unbeaten Boilermakers, who entered with the No. 7 ranking in Class 7A in The Associated Press poll.
Senior running back Tyler Tulk led the way, dashing for three touchdowns.
After that one, I have no doubt that the Knights are playoff bound.
