Football: Round 2 playoff scouting, Northwest
CLASS 5ANo. 13 St. Viator (6-4) at No. 12 Sycamore (6-4)When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Last meeting: Never played
Outlook: A victory Saturday would put the Lions in a place they have never been before, as St. Viator has never won 2 playoff games in a season. After demolishing the Public League's Urban Prep Englewood last week, the Lions look to take that momentum into Sycamore. "We don't expect a game like last week's at all," St. Viator coach Brandon New said. "They have experience and a rich tradition. They have done a very nice job there." But so has New with his Lions. Picked near the bottom of the East Suburban Catholic Conference before the start of the season, it didn't look good for the Lions after a season-opening loss to Rolling Meadows. But St. Viator came back with impressive wins over Marian Central and Marist to qualify for the second time in the last three years. The Lions boast one of the most exciting offenses in the state, led by quarterback Tyler Johnston, who has thrown for 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns. Receivers Ben Dickey, Matt Darling and Sal Cannella are Johnston's main targets. The Lions have also shown that they can run the ball, with Joey McIntyre gaining over 100 yards in the Lions' last two games. Sycamore is a ball-control type of team that will line up and play smashmouth with their opponents. Sycamore qualified for the second round of the payoffs for the sixth consecutive year. The Spartans got there by crushing Chicago Westinghouse 55-0, scoring more points in that game than they had in the previous three combined. "We are really looking forward to the experience," New said. "Their whole town will shut down and come out and support their team. But our fans are loyal, too. We had two busloads of fans last week and we expect even more for this game."
CLASS 8ANo. 6 Barrington (9-1) at No. 3 Maine South (10-0)When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Last meeting: in 2008, Maine South 42, Barrington 0
Outlook: Expect both teams to have their offenses in high gear on Saturday. Barrington, which has had four consecutive second-round state playoff games since 2003, looked like a state-contending team last week. The Broncos showed they are far from one-dimensional rushing for 326 yards while keeping the ball away from Oak Park. While the ground game is churning, it should open up the offense for quarterback Johnny Davidson, who has thrown for 2,148 yards and 23 touchdowns. Scotty Miller exploded as well last week, catching 3 TD passes while Mitch Pfeiffer is also a huge threat. Coach Joe Sanchez says that his team's schedule recently has helped his squad improve. "The last three weeks we have played playoff-caliber teams," Sanchez said. "The way the schedule played out it has really helped us." Now the Broncos face a huge test in Maine South, a program that has qualified for the state playoffs for 23 consecutive years, winning five state titles with three runner-up finishes. "We are excited about the opportunity," Sanchez said. "We can't wait to go to Park Ridge and play them." The Broncos defense, led by David Danhauer, Jake Coon and Mark Bornhofen, Scotty Miller and Jason Harris, smothered Oak Park quarterback Lloyd Yates. But it will need to be even better to stop the Hawks' high-flying offense quarterbacked by Brian Collis. Another in a long string of talented quarterbacks, Collis threw for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns last week. This is a game that Barrington could use as a springboard the Broncos to a long playoff run. "We are playoff-tested," Sanchez said. "We understand what it takes to be successful."
No. 2 Glenbard West (10-0) at No. 10 Palatine (8-2)
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Last meeting: Never played
Outlook: Palatine showed some real mettle last week. Playing without Chris Cornelius, the Pirates' pounding running back who had gained 1,239 yards, Palatine still found a way to win at Huntly and advance in the playoffs. Cornelius will be back this week, and not a moment too soon as te Pirates take on one of the state's top football programs in Glenbard West. "They are a very good football team," Palatine coach Rick Splitt said. "There are so many things that they do. They have a great tradition and come in here with speed and a very physical style of play." But that description also defines this year's Pirates team. They have faced larger teams in both Barrington and Fremd, as well as an athletic Huntley team last week and each time, despite being an underdog, the Pirates have come out on top. "This is a very eager group of young men," Splitt said. "They don't care about individual glory. They all know their role, and each game one or two people step up and make big plays for us." Nick Orlando has been huge with his play at quarterback for the Pirates. He has kept the team grounded and spread the wealth around in the air, throwing for 1,618 yards and 10 touchdowns. Look for Javone Stricker, Joey Roy, Matt Lamm and Danny Garcia to be very active again this week at wide receiver. While the offense has been scoring, the Pirates defense has been setting the table. Led by Vince Serio, Mike Williams and Dillon McHugh, the Pirates forced 5 turnovers last week and 12 in the last 4 games.Palatine will need that formula to stop Glenbard West, which is averaging 36 points. The Hilltoppers have qualified for the playoffs the last eight years. They rolled past Fremd last week 34-14 while piling up 467 yards of offense and are led by running back Sam Brodner and quarterback Kyle Kramer. Glenbard West's defense has been like an iron wall this season, allowing just 91 points while posting 2 shutouts. They have not allowed more than 15 points in a game this season.
- Dick Quagliano