It was a banner week for Southland football. Nine area teams won second-round games to put themselves in the final eight of their respective classes.
Even some local teams that lost were impressive in defeat, putting major scares into state powerhouses.
So, we’re down to the final three weeks and we’re left with an intriguing mix of Southland teams — Cinderellas, rising contenders and state-title favorites.
Here are my takeaways from Round 2.
My apologies for doubting you, Bulldogs and Knights
Every week, I break down the top five area games to watch and make predictions just for those five. I didn’t include either of these games last week, but I will be forthright with you. I would have picked against both Richards and Chicago Christian.
The Knights made the trip down to just south of Bloomington to take on Downs Tri-Valley, a Class 2A stalwart that is accustomed to making deep playoff runs.
The Vikings have made the quarterfinals or better four times in the last decade, including a state championship in 2015 and a runner-up finish in 2022.
Chicago Christian’s last quarterfinal appearance was in 2007.
The Knights have been impressing me for a while now, and I spent the second half of the regular season advocating for them to get a spot in the Associated Press rankings, but there were some questions about their strength of schedule.
Tri-Valley’s pedigree seemed to make them by a prohibitive favorite in most people’s minds.
Chicago Christian (10-1) made a huge statement, however, picking up a 24-14 win.
Christian Flutman threw two touchdown passes to Edward Van Dellen and also had an interception on defense. Senior running back Kenny Jager was a workhorse, carrying the ball 33 times for 182 yards and a TD.
There’s no doubt about it anymore — the Knights are for a real. They’re a contender in Class 2A.
It does not get easier as Chicago Christian hosts another strong team in Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin (11-0) at 5 p.m. Saturday.
But don’t overlook the Knights anymore.
As for Richards, I was not nearly as steadfast in thinking the Bulldogs were an underdog Friday night as they hosted downstate Washington.
In fact, I went back and forth for a long time while considering a prediction. Ultimately, I thought Washington — which had won eight in a row and stomped Shepard 52-21 in the first round — might have a slight advantage.
Boy, I was sure wrong about that. It was all Richards in a 42-14 win.
The Bulldogs won pretty much the same way they have all season, with a strong running game led by North Dakota State recruit Myles Mitchell and a tough defense.
Could that be the recipe for success again this week?
Richards (10-1) will host its third straight playoff game, welcoming high-powered Kankakee (10-1).
On paper, the Kays are certainly the favorite. But we know that hasn’t always meant a lot this postseason.
Two area teams came so close to shaking up 7A and 8A brackets in major way
At about 2 p.m. Saturday, I was ready for this column to be all about Lincoln-Way West.
The Warriors jumped to a 21-0 lead over Batavia. Chase Hetfleisch threw three TD passes in the first half, two of them to Chase Markowicz.
But the Bulldogs converted a fake punt for a 76-yard TD late in the first half and that seemingly turned everything around as Batavia rallied for a 25-21 win.
A total heartbreaker for Lincoln-Way West, but the Warriors sure showed they belonged.
It was a similar story at Marist, albeit without the dramatic momentum swings.
The RedHawks went back and forth all day with two-time defending Class 8A champion Loyola. Marist led 20-14 after three quarters.
Again, a special teams play loomed large as the Ramblers blocked a punt to set up a go-ahead TD on their way to a 24-20 win.
Hold your heads up high, Warriors and RedHawks.
Most eye-opening score
Mount Carmel 48, St. Charles North 15.
Any doubts about whether Mount Carmel was still the Class 7A favorite, in light of an injury to Jack Elliott and a Week 9 blowout loss to Loyola, are long gone now.
The North Stars were a top contender in the class, riding high after a Week 9 win over Class 6A quarterfinalist Geneva.
The Caravan crushed them.
I’ve worried about Mount Carmel relying too much on the pass. Well, they ran over 300 yards, with Danyil Taylor Jr., Madden Wilson and Elliott all doing their part.
Yep, this is the team to beat in Class 7A.
