Shepard, Lincoln-Way East, Joliet Catholic, Lockport and Mount Carmel are picks to click for the ninth and final week of the regular season.
Shepard (6-2, 4-1) at Eisenhower (4-4, 3-2)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Cardinals come into this South Suburban Red finale in desperation mode, needing a win to make the playoffs after losing last week 42-17 to Hillcrest.
Eisenhower will need big games from senior quarterback Darion Lee, junior receiver Larnell Moore and senior running back/defensive back Andre Lovett (Illinois).
The Astros are rolling offensively, having scored 40-plus points in three of their last four games, including Friday’s 57-0 rout of Reavis.
Senior running back Anthony Loughran has ran for 750 yards and 11 touchdowns, while senior receiver Cameren Tryon has emerged as the top target for senior quarterback Noah Vaughn.
X-factor: Antonio McCarroll, Shepard, junior, running back/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Shepard.
Naperville Central (8-0) at Lincoln-Way East (8-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The winner of this Southwest Valley Conference crossover will likely secure the top seed in Class 8A.
The Griffins continued their remarkable offensive consistency in Friday’s 49-20 win over Andrew. They have scored between 47 and 49 points every time they have taken the field this season.
The biggest question surrounding the Lincoln-Way East offense at the beginning of the fall was its receiving core, but a deep group has emerged to catch passes from junior quarterback Jonas Williams (Oregon), including seniors Keagan Ruane-Martino and Talan White.
Naperville Central has not been dominant like the Griffins but has been great in close games.
Senior quarterback Sebastian Hayes overcame two ACL tears to lead the RedHawks.
X-factor: Zion Gist, Lincoln-Way East, senior, running back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
Joliet Catholic (5-3, 2-0) at Providence (4-4, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Joliet Catholic is looking to clinch the CCL/ESCC Orange title outright with a Holy War win.
The stakes are even higher for the Celtics, who need a win to secure a playoff bid — although there is a chance they could get in at 4-5.
Providence topped Marian Catholic 34-6 on Friday. Senior Gavin Hagan, who was the CCL/ESCC White Defensive Player of the Year last season as a defensive back, has stepped in at running back and shined. He ran for 121 yards and three TDs against the Spartans.
The Hilltoppers utilize several running backs, led by seniors Larry Stringham and Nate Magrini.
X-factor: Vincent DiNovo, Joliet Catholic, sophomore, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Joliet Catholic.
Lockport (3-5, 1-2) at Homewood-Flossmoor (4-4, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Everything is on the line in this Southwest Valley Blue game.
H-F is in the playoffs with a win. Lockport, with one of the state’s highest opponent-win totals, has a solid chance to make it in at 4-5 with a victory.
Perhaps the biggest key will be which team recovers better from Week 8 heartbreaks as both lost in double overtime, the Vikings falling 63-62 to Naperville North and the Porters dropping a 40-39 decision to Lincoln-Way West.
The Vikings hope senior quarterback RJ McDonald can keep putting up points. Senior receiver/defensive back/kick returner Myles Green has had success as a Wildcat quarterback.
Senior running back Tyler Pospisil, who has 10 TD runs for Lockport, looks to take some pressure off junior quarterback Brendan Mecher.
X-factor: Adam Kozak, Lockport, junior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lockport.
Loyola (6-2, 2-0) at Mount Carmel (6-2, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Loyola looks to win the CCL/ESCC Blue outright. The Caravan can share the title with a victory — and give Brother Rice the opportunity to make it a three-way tie with a win over St. Ignatius.
Both teams’ star quarterbacks have dealt with injuries this season, but senior Jack Elliott (Vanderbilt) returned from a one-game absence and was productive the last two weeks for Mount Carmel in wins over Joliet Catholic and Fenwick.
Loyola senior Ryan Fitzgerald, on the other hand, did not play in Friday’s 34-16 win over Carmel. Fitzgerald, who has committed to walk on at Iowa, is the son of Sandburg alum and former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.
X-factor: Matthew Mucha, Mount Carmel, senior, linebacker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.
