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Explaining the DVC without cleaning it up

Each week we move closer to playoff clarity, but we still have a long way to go.

With little idea what the football postseason might look like, this week's edition of Eyes on Five takes its best shot at figuring out who will be around for Week 10.

1. In pieces in the Valley:

For the last couple weeks, Kankakee Daily Journal sports writer Steve Soucie - known statewide as the top authority on high school football bracketology - has been gleefully (I hope) tweeting at me about the state of the DuPage Valley Conference.

"Dear @kevin_schmit," he tweeted me two weeks ago, "Please tell the DVC to tidy some things up for me. Make no mistake, this is your responsibility."

And this week...

"What did I tell you, @kevin_schmit. Clean it up, man."

Sorry, Soucie. If a wizard like you can't clean it up, don't look at me.

The playoff picture is becoming more clear with each week, but there are too many key matchups remaining to make definitive determinations.

Best-case scenario, I see five teams getting in ... definitely four unless disaster strikes a couple hopefuls.

Let's break it down a little more...

2. Who's in?:

With five wins and playoff points that could be in the 40s, Naperville Central is a virtual lock to qualify. A sixth win obviously clinches it.

Neuqua Valley also has five wins but, unlike the Redhawks, the Wildcats need a sixth win because of their 24 playoff points. They finish with a tough stretch against Wheaton North, Lake Park and Glenbard North.

At 4-2 and 24 playoff points, Waubonsie Valley also needs six wins. The Warriors, with games remaining against East Aurora (1-5), Naperville North (0-6) and Wheaton North (3-3), have high hopes of getting there.

Glenbard North is 4-2 but in a much better situation with 27 playoff points. If the Panthers get a fifth win against Lake Park, Metea Valley or Neuqua Valley, they're in.

3. Who has work to do?:

The other three DVC teams still alive for playoff qualification have a tough road ahead.

Wheaton North (3-3), with 30 playoff points, is definitely in with two wins in its last three games. The Falcons, however, play Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central and Waubonsie Valley - teams with a combined 14-4 record.

Lake Park (3-3) also is a for-sure five-win qualifier with its 29 points. Like Wheaton North, though, the Lancers need to find two wins among Glenbard North (4-2), Neuqua Valley (5-1) and Naperville Central (5-1).

The good news for Metea Valley (2-4) is the virtually guaranteed playoff berth with five wins, thanks to 29 playoff points. The bad news is the Mustangs have to win out against Wheaton Warrenville South (1-5), Glenbard North and West Aurora (4-2).

4. Clinchers:

Congratulations to Glenbard West and Montini on becoming the first DuPage County qualifiers with their sixth win last week.

With five wins apiece Hinsdale Central, IC Catholic Prep, Naperville Central and Neuqua Valley can clinch with a Week 7 win.

5. Stat time:

Did you blink during last week's Upstate Eight Valley matchup between South Elgin and Glenbard East. If so, you probably missed a touchdown.

The Storm rallied for a 61-47 victory behind - obviously - a massive amount of offense.

According to my colleague Dave Oberhelman, who covered the game for the Daily Herald, South Elgin piled up 429 total yards of offense while Glenbard East countered with 563.

The teams combined for 51 first downs. That's a lot of chain moving.

Follow Kevin on Twitter

@kevin_schmit

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