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Scouting this weekend's DuPage County playoff football games

By Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

kschmit@dailyherald.com

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

Class 8A

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: Glenbard West's first appearance in Class 8A begins with a team that flirted with the Mid-Suburban West title until losses to Palatine and Barrington in the final three weeks. The Vikings' offense is known for its diversity, but Glenbard West needs to be especially wary of the big-play potential of receiver-returner Jawan Gaines. With Declan Ryan up front and Nico Gagliano at linebacker, Glenbard West's defense has been ready for every challenge. On the other side of the ball, Fremd will have a tough time containing junior running back Sam Brodner, who's rushed for 1,218 yards and 18 touchdowns. Last week bruising fullback Donahvon Vaughn returned from injury and scored a touchdown.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 10 Palatine (7-2) and No. 7 Huntley (8-1).

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

Class 8A

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: In Week 6 Metea Valley back Bryson Oliver sidestepped would-be Warriors tacklers, mainly between the tackles, for a season-high 258 yards. The Mustangs, now in their first playoff game, were a missed extra point from victory, falling 38-37. Waubonsie clearly wants to do a better job up front filling gaps and tackling Oliver while not losing sight of Nick Dodson, who has 761 receiving yards with 9 touchdowns. While Metea coach Ben Kleinhans correctly notes the Warriors' triple-option must be contained, the passing game of quarterback Zack Bennema, receiver Keaton Casey and tight end Justin Rich has averaged 214 yards the last two weeks, a threefold boost over Waubonsie's 77 in Week 6.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 5 Brother Rice (6-3) and No. 4 Naperville Central (7-2).

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

Class 8A

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: Naperville Central coach Mike Stine believes Brother Rice may have the best offense his team's played all season. The Crusaders, who have lost only one game to an Illinois opponent, lean on Northern Illinois-bound running back Marcus Jones, who's rushed for 770 yards, and dual-threat quarterback Alex Alarcon, who's thrown for 1,900 yards and rushed for 500. Redhawks defensive lineman Joe Schweikart and Iowa State-bound linebacker Bobby McMillen lead one of 8A's top defenses. Naperville Central's offense faces a Crusaders defense that's allowed the fourth-most points in the 8A field. Kevin Clifford's rushed for 1,243 yards and 9 touchdowns behind an offensive line anchored by Alex Coates.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 8 Metea Valley (5-4) and No. 1 Waubonsie Valley (8-1).

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

Class 8A

Game time: 7 p.m. Saturday at Gately Stadium.

Outlook: Last week's 7-0 loss to Hinsdale South was a setback for Downers South's offense, and it gets no easier against Simeon's defense that's allowed only 8 points a game - the fewest in the 8A field. Mustangs quarterback Jordan Skach, running back Jacob Baker and receiver Max Soderlund have had their moments throughout this season, but they all need to be in top form. The line play, featuring Michigan-bound Mustangs offensive lineman Erik Swenson, will be something to see on both sides of the ball. If Simeon has a noticeable strength, it's with its size up front. Simeon's offense, led by running back Dion Earls, hasn't scored fewer than 40 points since a Week 3 win over Wheaton North.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 6 Benet (6-3) and No. 3 Hinsdale Central (7-2).

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

Class 8A

Game time: 2 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: Hinsdale Central's fast-paced offense under first-year coach Dan Hartman was a work in progress for much of the season, but the Red Devils have been more effective lately with quarterback Matt Rafferty, running back Juwan Edmond and receiver Thomas Ives all on the field. They'll try to keep the momentum going against Benet's defense and all-East Suburban Catholic Conference players Glen Kleinschmidt, Charlie Weidenbach, Mac Cooney, Nick Pavlishin and Brian Runger. Benet running back Brad Sznajder, who's rushed for 1,411 yards and 13 touchdowns, is the Redwings' go-to guy, but the passing game with quarterback Jack Sznajder must keep the defense from packing the box.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 7 Downers Grove South (6-3) and No. 2 Simeon (8-1).

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

Class 8A

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: Charlie Hunter's 143 yards rushing last week against Metea Valley were a sight for sore Neuqua eyes. Having a 100-yard back for the first time since Week 2 forces Homewood-Flossmoor's base 4-3 defense from concentrating all its efforts on 1,700-yard quarterback Broc Rutter and receivers Isaiah Robertson, Brett Borske and Evan Moore. H-F, which lost to 9-0 Stevenson and 8-1 Lincoln-Way East, averages 46.7 points to lead 8A playoff teams. The Vikings feature twin backs Deante and Devonte Harley-Hampton, who've run for a total 1,546 yards, 27 touchdowns. Quarterback Bryce Gray boasts a .647 completion percentage while targeting four receivers with at least 20 catches.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 7 Belleville East (5-4) and No. 2 Edwardsville (8-1).

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

Class 7A

Game time: 7 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: With a state title and three runner-up finishes during a streak of 13 straight playoff berths, Lake Zurich is not a typical 5-4 team. Expect both sides to lean on the run as the Bears hammer 6-foot-1, 185-pound Ben Klett at defenses. He had his best game of the season last week, rushing for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Addison Trail's defense, spearheaded by lineman Bobby Rinaldi and linebacker Eric Gilliam, can't fall asleep on the play-action passing from Joey Lindstrom. Addison Trail's offense, playing without injured quarterback Mike Rybarczyk, received a boost from running back Mike Hundley's 300-yard effort last week. Fellow running back Malik Pierre-Louis is expected to return from an injury.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 11 Libertyville (6-3) and No. 6 Lincoln Park (7-2).

No. 13 WW South (5-4) at No. 4 Lincoln-Way North (8-1)

Class 7A

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: Does anyone have more momentum than WW South? Hard to imagine after last week's miraculous scoop-and-score fumble return by Western Michigan-bound receiver Keishawn Watson that clinched a postseason berth. Jonathan Johnson, who last week rushed for 125 yards, has solidified the tailback position and allows Mike Campos to give the Tigers another receiving threat. Lincoln-Way North quarterback Ryan Arthur challenges the Tigers with the toughest test of the season against their pass defense. Arthur's thrown for 1,800 yards while running back Jaylin Branch has added nearly 900 rushing yards. Northwestern-bound linebacker Tom Vitale and the Tigers' defense is on of 7A's best.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 12 Plainfield North (6-3) and No. 5 Normal Community (7-2).

No. 12 Riverside-Brookfield (6-3) at No. 5 Glenbard South (7-2)

Class 6A

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: These teams obviously know each other pretty well after last week's 38-34 Glenbard South victory that clinched the outright Metro Suburban West title. The difference in this one may be with the Raiders' defense that played without four starters, including standout linebacker Jake Kapp and defensive back Jimmy Ebbole. Their return would be a huge boost for the Raiders as they try to slow Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Swift and running back Matt Chapp. Glenbard South's offense was humming last week with quarterback Kyle Carli connecting 13 times with receivers Tyler Scott and Billy Bair. Sophomore running back Sean Cooke, who scored 3 touchdowns, is another threat in the passing game.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 13 Lake Forest (6-3) and No. 4 Belvidere North (8-1).

No. 10 Hinsdale South (7-2) at No. 7 Crystal Lake Central (7-2)

Class 6A

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: The Hornets hoped Friday's 7-0 win over Downers South would have clinched an opening-round home game, but instead they'll take a 45-mile bus ride during rush hour. A healthy defense shined last week as Hinsdale South junior lineman Josh King earned the team's player of the week honor after distancing himself from a lingering injury. Safety Robert Hall's been a model of consistency in the secondary. Their mission is to slow Tigers running back Ryan Williams and quarterback Matt Decoste. Hinsdale South's offense needs to pick it up after managing only 125 total yards last week. Senior quarterback Rob Regan, however, is a top-notch leader of the unit. He and the Hornets seem to find a way.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 15 Marmion (6-3) and No. 2 DeKalb (8-1).

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

Class 6A

Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: Grayslake North's Indiana-bound running back, Titus Booker, has games of 359 and 322 yards rushing and four others of at least 241. The 182-pounder has run for 1,931 yards, 26 touchdowns, more yardage than quarterback Merrick Gentile has passing and running. For all 11 St. Francis defenders the top challenge is Booker on the perimeter, Booker on inside cutbacks. St. Francis defenders like Quinn Calcagno, Matt Hanson, Thomas Brundage and John Vargyas have collected 29 turnovers while the Chicago Catholic League Green Player of the Year, quarterback Clint Bobowski, has 550 yards rushing, 1,643 passing. In the key field position game, Will Purdom averages 39.5 yards a punt.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 14 Prairie Ridge (6-3) and No. 3 Lakes (8-1).

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

Class 5A

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: New DuSable coaches Robert Anderson and twin brother Roy took a roster of about 20, mainly sophomores, to the playoffs from last season's 1-8 mark. The Panthers' speed-based, pro-style offense takes its cue from tight end Emmanuel William, rushing and tackles leader Savyhier Thomas and mainly quarterback Lonzell Easton, whose 6 rushing touchdowns and 1 passing set a team record in a win over Washington. DuSable's sole game against a foe similar to Montini was a 45-0 loss to Marist. Montini coach Chris Andriano's thinking is avoid giving up the big play and using Broncos linemen like Grant Branch and Eric Kibbey to wear down the Panthers on both sides of the ball.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner between No. 14 St. Laurence (5-4) and No. 3 Joliet Catholic (7-2).

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