T.F. North, Lincoln-Way West, Marist, St. Rita and Reavis are picks to click for the fourth week of the regular season.
Evergreen Park (2-1) at T.F. North (3-0)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: The Mustangs shook off a disappointing season-opening loss to Marengo and have had the offense rolling the last two weeks. Senior running back David Johnson piled up 217 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries in Friday’s 49-31 win over Oak Lawn.
Evergreen Park will need senior quarterback Rowan Smyth to be clicking against a T.F. North defense that has allowed just 14 points through three games.
The Meteors, who got by rival T.F. South 24-14 last week as senior running back Joseph Merritt scored two TDs, will be looking to stay undefeated heading into a Week 5 showdown with Lemont.
X-factor: Trevon Conner, T.F. North, senior, receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: T.F. North.
Lincoln-Way West’s Austin Rowswell (23) runs an end around against Stagg during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Palos Hills on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Sandburg (2-1, 0-0) at Lincoln-Way West (3-0, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Sandburg stunned observers last week by crushing Homewood-Flossmoor 63-34 and the Eagles’ offense, led by senior quarterback Anthony Shelton and senior receiver Charlie Snoreck, has been rolling.
Lincoln-Way West, which got interceptions from Jackson Mansker and John Ramos in a 40-7 win over Metea Valley, has won each game by at least three TDs but will get its biggest test yet.
In a scheduling quirk, this will be Sandburg’s first game in the new Southwest Valley Red while the Warriors will complete their four-game conference schedule by Week 5. A win over the Eagles would go a long way toward completing their quest to win the inaugural conference title.
X-factor: Austin Rowswell, Lincoln-Way West, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way West.
Marist (3-0, 0-0) at Joliet Catholic (2-1, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
Matchup breakdown: It’s the league opener in the CCL/ESCC Orange, a new division for both teams this season.
The RedHawks have it rolling under new coach Mike Fitzgerald as senior quarterback Jacob Ritter has clicked with a deep group of receivers.
Joliet Catholic, which snuck by Fenwick 14-13 last week, has been strong defensively, led by junior defensive lineman Ian Campbell and senior defensive back Michael Jaworski.
But the Hilltoppers have struggled offensively and things won’t get any easier against a tough Marist defense led by senior defensive lineman Brad Fitzgibbon (Iowa).
X-factor: Stephen Brown, Marist, junior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Marist.
St. Rita (2-1, 0-0) at Wheaton St. Francis (3-0, 0-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This CCL/ESCC Green opener features two teams coming off huge victories.
St. Rita got two long TD passes from junior quarterback Steven Armbruster and that was enough for a 14-7 win over Brother Rice.
That’s because the Mustangs’ defense continued its dominance. St. Rita held a dynamic Sandburg offense to 17 points and even put some pressure on Mount Carmel despite a 28-0 loss.
Senior linebacker Justin Buckner and the rest of the Mustangs’ defense will be tested again by Wheaton St. Francis, which is riding high off a shocking 35-21 win over Loyola.
Junior quarterback Brady Palmer is playing well for the Spartans, but this St. Rita defense is the real deal.
X-factor: Matt Grzyb, St. Rita, senior, kicker/punter.
Steve Millar’s prediction: St. Rita.
Eisenhower (1-2, 0-1) at Reavis (2-1, 0-1)
Kickoff: Noon Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: This South Suburban Red clash could prove vital for both teams’ playoff chances.
Eisenhower has gotten through the two toughest games on its schedule, falling to Lincoln-Way West and Richards, but the Cardinals haven’t clicked yet offensively — even in a 22-20 victory over winless Johnson Prep.
Reavis also struggled on offense last week in a 17-9 loss to Argo.
Look for both teams to rely on their defenses, with the Cardinals leaning on senior defensive back Andre Lovett (Illinois) and the Rams on a strong line led by senior defensive end Terry Ferguson.
X-factor: Blake Stefanek, Reavis, junior, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Reavis.
