Oswego, Geneva, Waubonsie Valley, Marmion and Belleville Althoff are picks to click for the ninth and final week of the regular season.
Oswego (8-0, 4-0) at Oswego East (4-4, 2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The host Wolves need to win over crosstown rivals to become playoff eligible for eighth time in nine seasons.
Junior quarterback Niko Villacci, who threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-14 win over Yorkville, looks to keep rolling.
“Our defense has played well all year,” Oswego coach Tyson LeBlanc said. “After some early struggles on offense and special teams, we’re coming around.”
The Panthers have already locked up Suburban Prairie West title but would like to complete a third perfect regular season in the 13th year under coach Brian Cooney.
Oswego also went undefeated in the 2016 and 2018 regular seasons.
“It’s just a unique group of kids who are always looking to do better,” said Cooney, whose Panthers are coming off a 42-10 win over Minooka. “It’s a pretty balanced team, maybe the most balanced we’ve had.
“Last week against Minooka, I was pretty surprised by the margin. They came out with their ears pinned back and got after it.”
X-factor: Carson Cooney, Oswego, senior, linebacker/running back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Oswego.
St. Charles North (7-1, 5-1) at Geneva (8-0, 6-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Geneva looks to win the DuKane Conference championship outright, while North Stars hope to grab a share of the title with the win. A St. Charles North win, coupled with a Batavia win at Glenbard North, would produce a three-way tie.
Great matchups at quarterback between Geneva senior Tony Chahino and St. Charles North’s Ethan Plumb, along with their No. 1 targets in senior Talyn Taylor (Georgia) and junior Keaton Reinke, respectively. Both receivers have 800-plus receiving yards.
“This definitely helps us as we get ready to go into the playoffs,” Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen said. “It’s one of those playoff-type atmosphere games.”
Thomas, who has accepted an invitation to play in the Navy All-American Bowl at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, will be presented his jersey for the all-star game before Friday’s kickoff. The game will be televised by NBC.
X-factor: Sean Lane, Geneva, senior, linebacker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Geneva.
Waubonsie Valley (4-4, 2-2) at Metea Valley (1-7, 0-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: With a win in the Southwest Valley Conference crossover, the Warriors can become playoff eligible for the first time since 2018 with a win over their Eola Road neighbors.
Senior quarterback Jake MacLeod, junior wide receiver Dylan Liner and junior running back Charles Flowers will be happy to play spoilers for the Mustangs, who are seeking a second win.
Senior quarterback Josh Siekierski is happy to spread the ball around to five or more receivers for Waubonsie, including lead running back Chrisjan Simmons.
X-factor: Owen Roberts, Waubonsie Valley, senior wide receiver/defensive back..
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Waubonsie Valley.
Marmion (4-4, 2-0) vs. Leo (1-7, 0-1)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Rita’s Doyle Stadium.
Matchup breakdown: Cadets can wrap up the title of the four-team CCL/ESCC Red with a victory. More important, Marmion would become playoff eligible under first-year coach Adam Guerra for the first time in three seasons
Two-way senior linemen Christopher Soto and Henry Marshall should lead the way for Cadets.
X-factor: Bryan Scales, Marmion, senior, wide receiver/defensive back.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Marmion.
Kaneland (5-3) at Belleville Althoff (8-0)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: The host Crusaders, with a classified enrollment of 288, are the top-ranked Class 1A team in The Associated Press state poll. They have wins over four teams — Alton, Belleville East, Collinsville, and Granite City — with enrollments ranging from 1,800 to 2,400.
Carter Grabowski ran for two TDs last week as Knights broke a three-game losing streak with a 38-0 win over LaSalle-Peru.
Three Division I recruits lead Belleville Althoff. Dierre Hill Jr. (Oregon) has run for 1,516 yards and 23 TDs with 260 yards receiving and four TDs. Jason Dowell (Missouri) has 8 1/2 sacks, while Charleston Coldon (Boston College) has 26 receptions for 556 yards and eight TDs.
Sophomore quarterback Jayden Ellington has 1,395 yards passing with 23 TDs.
X-factor: Sam Bruno, Kaneland, senior, kicker.
Rick Armstrong’s prediction: Belleville Althoff.
