Hillcrest, Lincoln-Way East, Richards, Sandburg and Joliet Catholic are picks to click for the seventh week of the regular season.
Hillcrest (3-3, 3-1) at T.F. North (4-2, 1-2)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: These teams are headed in opposite directions entering this South Suburban Blue game. Hillcrest has won three straight, while T.F. North has lost its last two.
The Hawks have used three quarterbacks this season, but junior Anthony Bradley has sparked his team during the streak, throwing three touchdown passes last week in a 43-0 win over T.F. South.
A win would position Hillcrest well for a playoff berth.
T.F. North, meanwhile, is looking to get back on track and secure its fifth victory. With a favorable schedule in the final two weeks, a second straight seven-win regular season is still within reach.
Senior quarterback Jamirh Jolly leads the Meteors.
X-factor: Erimus Wright, Hillcrest, senior, running back/linebacker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Hillcrest.
Lincoln Way East’s Zion Gist (20) fights for extra yards against Lockport during a SouthWest Suburban Blue game in Lockport on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Lockport (3-3, 1-1) at Lincoln-Way East (6-0, 3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Lincoln-Way East got a big boost last week with the return of senior running back Zion Gist, a Western Michigan recruit who had not played since suffering an injury early in the season opener.
The Griffins now have an even more loaded backfield with Gist and junior Brody Gish, who became a breakout star in Gist’s absence.
Lockport has struggled defensively while losing back-to-back games by nearly identical scores to Naperville North (31-20) and Naperville Central (31-21).
Junior quarterback Brendan Mecher threw for 357 yards and a TD in his debut start and the Porters will need another big game from him to stay close in this Southwest Valley Blue game.
X-factor: Dylan Weathers, Lincoln-Way East, senior, defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Richards (5-1) at Lemont (4-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Both teams take four-game winning streaks into this South Suburban Conference crossover.
Richards has posted consecutive shutouts, beating Argo 41-0 and Shepard 21-0. Senior defensive backs Austin Synoga and Seamus Doyle make the Bulldogs tough to throw on, while senior running back Myles Mitchell (North Dakota State) continues to pile up yardage.
Lemont was outscored 84-7 in losses to Libertyville and Geneva over the first two weeks, but both those teams are now 6-0.
Lemont has responded by beating its last four opponents, all by at least 13 points. Senior Julius Dian and junior Aiden Rudman form a strong duo at running back. Senior twins Connor and Dylan Wilms are leaders at linebacker.
X-factor: Jackson Dybcio, Lemont, junior, running back/linebacker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Richards.
Andrew (4-2, 1-2) at Sandburg (5-1, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: These district rivals are now in the same division in the Southwest Valley Red, where Sandburg sits in a tie atop the standings with Naperville Central.
The Eagles, who pulled off a 28-27 win in the final minute against Lincoln-Way Central, look to continue to protect senior quarterback Anthony Shelton with a veteran offensive line led by Indiana recruit Matt Marek.
Andrew has its own Big Ten-bound senior offensive lineman in Michael McDonough (Illinois) and the Thunderbolts have scored 144 points over their three-game winning streak. Senior running back Jordan Wandick is putting together a strong season.
X-factor: Lucas Matykiewicz, Sandburg, sophomore, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Sandburg.
Joliet Catholic’s Nate Magrini (28) scores on a 5-yard run against Nazareth in the second quarter of the Class 5A state championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson/Daily Southtown)
Joliet Catholic (4-2) at Mount Carmel (4-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The two programs, tied for the most state championships in Illinois High School Association history with 15, meet up for the first time since 2007.
The million-dollar question heading into this CCL/ESCC crossover is whether star senior quarterback Jack Elliott will play for Mount Carmel. The Vanderbilt recruit sat out last week’s 16-13 loss to Brother Rice with an injury.
Junior quarterback Emmett Dowling, brother of former Caravan standout Blainey, stepped in and will likely be more comfortable if he has to do it again.
But this game could be a defensive struggle, with senior linebacker Matthew Mucha leading the Caravan and senior linebacker Daniel Rouse guiding the Hilltoppers.
Joliet Catholic will look to lean on its running game, led by senior Larry Stringham.
X-factor: Nate Magrini, Joliet Catholic, senior, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Joliet Catholic.
