Surprises in first-round DuPage County playoff matchups

This is where the fun starts.

Since last season ended, football players around DuPage County have been working to make this season's playoffs. Saturday night the bubble teams found out if they were in. Everyone learned who they play in next weekend's first round and who they might play in the weeks to come.

There was bad news for Wheaton Academy and Lake Park. Both teams finished 5-4 but didn't accumulate enough playoff points to gain an at-large berth. The Warriors were the first team out, Lake Park fifth. Their season is over.

Here are the teams who will continue working this week and how they match up against their first-round foe.

Class 8A

No. 15 Fremd (6-3) at No. 2 Glenbard West (9-0)

A quick look: A loaded north half of the 8A bracket begins for Glenbard West with a Fremd team in the playoffs for the 19th straight year. Hilltoppers running back Sam Brodner and a lightning defense will be keys to a deep playoff run.

Intangibles: This is Glenbard West's first appearance in 8A. The Hilltoppers have been in 7A for seven straight years, including the 2012 state title run. These teams are meeting for the first time in the playoffs.

No. 8 Metea Valley (5-4) at No. 1 Waubonsie Valley (8-1)

A quick look: A rematch of the Week 6 game that Waubonsie Valley won 38-37, these District 204 rivals know each other well. In Week 6, Waubonsie wasn't throwing the ball nearly as effectively as it has the last two weeks.

Intangibles: Metea Valley and 1,500-yard running back Bryson Oliver have to play like they've been in the playoffs before, even though the Mustangs haven't. The Warriors' triple-option offense has been very good, averaging 36.6 points a game this season.

No. 5 Brother Rice (6-3) at No. 4 Naperville Central (7-2)

A quick look: The defending 8A champion Redhawks get no breaks in this opening-rounder against a traditional power from the Chicago Catholic Blue. Is Naperville Central's defense with Iowa State-bound linebacker Bobby McMillen better than last year's? We'll find out right away.

Intangibles: Brother Rice has suffered only one loss to an Illinois team, a Week 8 defeat to Providence. Its three losses have come by a combined 15 points.

No. 7 Downers South (6-3) at No. 2 Simeon (8-1)

A quick look: Line play will dictate. Downers South's offense features Michigan-bound tackle Erik Swenson, while Simeon's strength also lies up front.

Intangibles: As important as offensive and defensive line play is for Downers South, that's the exact spot where the Mustangs must get healthy. Their five-game winning streak was snapped with Friday's shutout loss to Hinsdale South. Simeon, meanwhile, has pitched four shutouts.

No. 6 Benet (6-3) at No. 3 Hinsdale Central (7-2)

A quick look: This is a classic matchup between Benet's stingy defense and Hinsdale Central's lightning offense. What a boost Hinsdale Central's seen with the return of quarterback Matt Rafferty from injury. Benet's offense will go as far as brothers Brad and Jack Sznajder - running back and quarterback, respectively - take it.

Intangibles: Benet's making its Class 8A debut. The Redwings obviously are hoping to see the team that made a run to the state semifinals two years ago, not the team that was hammered last season by Mt. Carmel. Hinsdale Central boasts two of the area's top victories this season with wins over Bolingbrook and Oak Park.

No. 6 Neuqua Valley (6-3) at No. 3 Homewood-Flossmoor (7-2)

A quick look: Homewood-Flossmoor, which beat Naperville North for the 1994 Class 6A title, faces Neuqua for the first time but knows Naperville, falling to Naperville Central last season and in 2011. Neuqua coach Bill Ellinghaus led the Wildcats to the semifinals in 2012 and the quarterfinals last season.

Intangibles: Neuqua Valley started slowly, losing its first two games this season to Naperville North and Naperville Central. It bounced back to go 6-1 the rest of the way, the loss coming to archrival Waubonsie Valley.

Class 7A

No. 14 Lake Zurich (5-4) at No. 3 Addison Trail (8-1)

A quick look: Lake Zurich typically boasts an elite defense, which presents quite a challenge to an Addison Trail offense that last week lost quarterback Mike Rybarczyk to a broken ankle. Can the return from injury of running back Malik Pierre-Louis make the difference?

Intangibles: Ignore Lake Zurich's record. The Bears are a perennial 7A power, so this won't be a picnic for Addison Trail. The Blazers, whose lone loss came to unbeaten Glenbard West, are eyeing their first playoff win since 2004.

WW South (5-4) at Lincoln-Way North (8-1)

A quick look: The Tigers needed a victory Friday at Naperville Central to clinch a playoff bid, and they got it in the final minute. They're going to need to keep that momentum going against a tough Lincoln-Way North team.

Intangibles: The Tigers have shown they have a top-notch defense this season. If the offense can keep improving, WW South could pull a surprise. This is an experienced coaching staff that knows what to do in the playoffs.

Class 6A

Riverside-Brookfield (6-3) at Glenbard South (7-2)

A quick look: This matchup should sound familiar. They just played Friday night, with the host Raiders coming from behind to win the MSC West championship on Jack Curtis' TD catch with 2.9 seconds to play for a 38-34 victory. The teams were just about even, right down to the rushing and passing yardage.

Intangibles: After a third-quarter TD, QB Kyle Carli rolled right and opted to run for the 2-point conversion, meeting a pair of R-B defenders at the 2-yard line and driving them into the end zone for the score. The Raiders will need to call on that kind of determination again in the postseason. The Bulldogs will want revenge.

Hinsdale South (7-2) at Crystal Lake Central (7-2)

A quick look: Crystal Lake Central will present a challenge for the Hornets, averaging 38.0 points a game. The Hornets aren't too bad themselves, averaging 26.7 points a game.

Intangibles: The Hornets' chances of making the playoffs were in doubt when it looked like the district's teachers might go out on strike. Given a chance after all, the Hornets hope to make the most of it.

No. 11 Grayslake North (6-3) at No. 6 St. Francis (7-2)

A quick look: Grayslake North's Indiana-bound running back, Titus Booker, was icing his hamstring after a 261-yard effort on Friday but said, "I'll be good." That could be bad for St. Francis, but with an offense that can both throw the ball and run it behind quarterback Clint Bobowski, and a rugged defense that rakes turnovers, the Spartans bring a lot.

Intangibles: Grayslake North, a relatively new program, is 0-2 in a pair of playoff appearances. St. Francis is playing free and easy under first-year coach Mike Fitzgerald.

Class 5A

No. 11 DuSable (6-3) at No. 6 Montini (6-3)

A quick look: A 6-3 team hosting a home game isn't standard, but Montini has the pedigree. It also has players, with Indiana-bound receiver Leon Thornton III, linebacker John Embrey, quarterback Chuck Norgle, running back Prince Walker and more. DuSable needed to win to make it in, and it received a pair of forfeit victories.

Intangibles: The host Broncos won four straight 5A titles between 2009-12 and placed second last season. Their 21 consecutive playoff appearances lead Class 5A. DuSable's one appearance, in 2010, ended in a 52-0 loss.

Days and times for first-round games will be announced at 3 p.m. Monday at ihsa.org and football.dailyherald.com.