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Plenty of intrigue surrounds opening round of football playoffs

Whether you're the 256th - and last team - to qualify for postseason play (Aurora Christian) or the defending Class 6A state champions (Batavia), it really doesn't matter any longer.

What matters most is that your team is still playing.

Every team carries an identical 0-0 record into this weekend's opening round of the Illinois High School Association state football playoffs.

Wipe the slate clean - let the new season begin.

Here is a look at what to expect this weekend.

Class 3A

Aurora Christian (5-4)

First-round foe: At Sterling Newman (9-0).

When: 2 p.m. Saturday.

Seedings: Aurora Christian - 8; Sterling Newman - 1.

All-time playoff records: Aurora Christian (26-10); Sterling Newman (55-20).

Average points scored: Aurora Christian (32.8); Sterling Newman (46.8).

Average points allowed: Aurora Christian (29.3); Sterling Newman (9.7).

Outlook: Aurora Christian embraces its status as the "last" team to secure a playoff berth. "I like being 256," said first-year head coach David Beebe. "The underdog, Mr. Irrelevant role, it's fun to have."

How much fun the Eagles have against a program known as "The Blue Machine" remains to be seen but I doubt that they've ever been more prepared for postseason play.

Aurora Christian, which captured back-to-back Class 3A state titles in 2011 and 2012 and reached the semifinals a year ago, earned a playoff bid with last weekend's 49-35 victory over Leo.

The win snapped a 4-game losing streak that saw the Eagles fall to Kankakee McNamara, St. Rita, St. Laurence and Marmion. Aurora Christian's defense will face a Sterling Newman team that has topped the 50-point mark 5 times this season and is led by tailback Dillan Heffelfinger and wide receiver Shayne Allen. Sterling Newman returns 11 starters (6 on defense) from the 2013 team that captured the Class 2A title with a 40-13 victory over Staunton.

Making its 13th straight postseason appearance, Aurora Christian figures to bring a nothing-to-lose attitude on its trek down I-88.

The winner faces either Raby (5-4) or Oregon (5-4) in second-round action on Nov. 7 or 8.

Class 4A

Aurora Central Catholic (6-3)

First-round foe: At Johnsburg (8-1).

When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Seedings: ACC - 13; Johnsburg - 4.

All-time playoff records: ACC (8-16); Johnsburg (6-10).

Average points scored: ACC (29.0); Johnsburg (33.9).

Average points allowed: ACC (19.7); Johnsburg (13.8).

Outlook: Seeking its first playoff win since 1996, Aurora Central Catholic coach Brian Casey figures his team has gotten a head start on postseason play following last weekend's 49-28 win over Wheaton Academy.

"For all intense and purposes, we're 1-0 right now in the playoffs," said Casey, whose team would not have qualified without its Week 9 victory.

A year ago, the Chargers suffered a disappointing 36-6 first-round loss to Chicago Public League opponent King.

"I think it has driven everyone a lot," senior 2-way standout Brandon Babler said of last year's playoff setback. "Coach (Casey) keeps saying how the program is building and building and that we're going to be the team that takes a step forward or takes a step back.

"It's big for us because we need to be the team that takes a step forward and gets this program to continue moving."

Babler, who has scored 18 touchdowns in 9 games, is a multi-purpose threat at receiver, tailback, cornerback and punter.

"If we play the way we played against Wheaton Academy, we'll be tough," said Casey.

ACC's defense must contain sophomore 1,000-yard tailback Alex Peete, who gained 252 yards against Harvard last weekend.

The winner faces either Phillips (8-1) or Plano (8-1) in second-round action on Nov. 7 or 8.

Class 6A

Marmion (6-3)

First-round foe: At DeKalb (8-1).

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Seedings: Marmion - 15; DeKalb - 2.

All-time playoff records: Marmion (13-10); DeKalb (5-5).

Average points scored: Marmion (27.5); DeKalb (36.0).

Average points allowed: Marmion (19.1); DeKalb (21.2).

Outlook: Can the Cadets' defense find a way to slow down Barbs tailback Dre Brown? Brown, an Illinois recruit, leads a DeKalb offense that averages more than 5 touchdowns per game. However, Brown was limited to just 1 offensive series during last week's 21-7 loss to Geneseo and may not be at 100 percent on Halloween night.

Marmion's best chance for an upset may hinge on its ability to control the clock with running backs Jordan Glasgow, Nate Traxler and Lucas Warren. Warren, a bruising 235-pound junior, could prove handy in the playoffs.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Glasgow, whose dad, Dr. Steven Glasgow, is on the athletics orthopedic staff at Northern Illinois University.

The winner faces either Hinsdale South (7-2) or Crystal Lake Central (7-2) in second-round action on Nov. 7 or 8.

Class 7A

Batavia (8-1)

First-round foe: Home against Mount Carmel (5-4).

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Seedings: Mount Carmel - 14; Batavia - 3.

All-time playoff records: Mount Carmel (105-18); Batavia (17-16).

Average points scored: Mount Carmel (31.8); Batavia (37.1).

Average points allowed: Mount Carmel (18.4); Batavia (12.4).

Outlook: This shapes up to be a dynamite first-round matchup featuring the 2013 6A state champion Bulldogs against the defending 7A state champion Caravan. Legendary coach Frank Lenti's squad clinched its 29th consecutive playoff berth with last week's 10-7 upset of Loyola.

Lenti's teams can always run the ball and this year is no exception. Tailbacks Anthony Ries (678 yards, 7 TDs), A.J. Lewis (675 yards, 9 TDs), Jaquan Buntyn (503 yards, 9 TDs) and quarterback Anthony Thompson (371 yards, 6 TDs) have scored 31 of the team's 40 TDs.

Batavia's defense, led by Jake Hlava and Josh Leonhard, will face Mount Carmel team that has generated 2,335 rushing yards this season (6.3-yard average).

Batavia will be looking for a program-first on Saturday - its first 7A playoff victory (0-2).

The winner faces either Belleville West (6-3) or Bradley-Bourbonnais (7-2) in second-round action on Nov 7 or 8.

Geneva (8-1)

First-round foe: Home against Hersey (6-3).

When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Seedings: Hersey - 13; Geneva - 4.

All-time playoff records: Hersey (9-10); Geneva (28-15).

Average points scored: Hersey (23.2); Geneva (37.7).

Average points allowed: Hersey (12.6); Geneva (13.8).

Outlook: Hersey rolls into Burgess Field with some momentum following last weekend's 48-6 victory over fellow 7A playoff qualifier Rolling Meadows. The Vikings' defense, anchored by middle linebacker Wyatt Shodeen, will attempt to harness the Hawks' multi-talented offensive backfield that includes QB Eric Portlenlanger and RB Bryan Castaneda.

Geneva's bid for a perfect regular season ended with a 26-20 Week 8 loss to rival Batavia. However, its dream of playing in Champaign on Thanksgiving weekend is still alive. Expect NIU-bound quarterback Daniel Santacaterina to play with a chip on his shoulder after his 5-interception game against Batavia.

Hawks' defense will have to contend with senior Pace Temple, one of the area's top athletes and receivers, and underrated tailback Justin Taormina.

The winner faces either Rockford Auburn (6-3) or Rockton Hononegah (8-1) in second-round action on Nov. 7 or 8.

St. Charles North (7-2)

First-round foe: At Rolling Meadows (7-2).

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Seedings: St. Charles North - 9; Rolling Meadows - 8.

All-time playoff records: St. Charles North (3-8); Rolling Meadows (8-14).

Average points scored: St. Charles North (28.6); Rolling Meadows (24.7).

Average points allowed: St. Charles North (10.4); Rolling Meadows (22.0).

Outlook: Making its first playoff appearance since 2009, St. Charles North prides itself on a stingy defense. Jordan Bergren, Carson Schmitt and Quinn Calcagno anchor a unit that has been extremely difficult to run against this season.

St. Charles North figures to center its attention on Rolling Meadows workhorse tailback Antonio Atencio. Mustangs quarterback R.J. Mattucci sat out last week's loss to Hersey with a left shoulder injury.

North Stars second-year coach Rob Pomazak should be familiar with Rolling Meadows having served as the defensive coordinator at Mid-Suburban Conference rival Elk Grove before taking the top job at St. Charles North.

The winner faces either Niles North (5-4) or Cary-Grove (9-0) in second-round action on Nov. 7 or 8.

You can reach Craig Brueske at csb4k@hotmail.com

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