advertisement

Week 1 playoffs, Upstate Eight: Bartlett eager for opportunity

8A

No. 28 Bartlett (5-4) at No. 5 Brother Rice (8-1) Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Outlook: Bartlett returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2012, led by Western Illinois-bound, two-way lineman Kyle Sanft (27 solo tackles, 25 assists), quarterback Brenner Wallace (1,583 yards, 16 TD), cornerback Cameron Mays (7 interceptions), middle linebacker Mike Bucaro (37 solo tackles, 27 assists, 3 sacks), running back/defensive back Nolan Bernat (538 yards, 7 TD, 4 ints.) and the red-hot Ben Johnson, who last week rushed 24 times for 236 yards and a touchdown and caught 5 passes for 102 yards and 2 scores. A Bartlett defense that has picked off 16 passes and recovered 5 fumbles is tasked with containing a Brother Rice offense that averaged 33.7 points per game en route to a second-place finish in the rugged Chicago Catholic League Blue Division. Quarterback Cam Miller's exceptional collection of wide receivers is led by junior Ricky Smalling (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) and senior Julian Blain (6-1, 180). Smalling has offers from Wisconsin, Illinois and Virginia due to his ability to stretch the field. The Crusaders get Blain the ball on jet sweeps and bubble screens, the latter an offensive mainstay. "We've got to force turnovers and three-and-outs, stop the short game and watch the guys running deep," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "Offensively, we have to control the clock because they have a high-powered offense."

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 8A second-round game between the winner of No. 21 Evanston (6-3) vs. No. 12 South Elgin (8-1).

No. 32 West Aurora (5-4) at No. 1 Loyola Academy (9-0)

Game time: 12 p.m. Saturday

Outlook: West Aurora football takes a big step forward by reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1994. "It's been a great experience for our kids, our program and the entire community," Blackhawks coach Nate Eimer said. "We're just very blessed to be in this position and the kids are excited." Now comes the hard part: facing the top seed in Illinois' largest class. Champions of the Chicago Catholic League Blue, the Ramblers are led offensively by senior running back Dara Laja (15 TD) and Northwestern-bound halfback Eric Eshoo. Senior quarterback Emmett Clifford (6-foot-1, 188 pounds) has thrown 27 touchdowns - 10 to senior receiver Thomas Smart (6-3, 195) - and only 2 interceptions. The Blackhawks counter with junior running back/linebacker DaQuon Cross (813 yards, 12 TD) and fullback/linebacker Marcus Spears. A four-year varsity player, Spears has been "a model of consistency," according to his coach. The senior has rushed for 386 yards and 7 touchdowns and grabbed 25 receptions for 335 yards and 4 scores. "Obviously, we have to play a very clean game to hang around with these guys," Eimer said. "As for chinks in their armor, that's hard to find."

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 8A second-round game between the winner of No. 17 Conant (6-3) vs. No. 16 Stevenson (6-3).

No. 21 Evanston (6-3) at No. 12 South Elgin (8-1)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at Millennium Field (Streamwood H.S.)

Outlook: South Elgin makes its third playoff appearance in its 10-year history, its first since 2010. Offensive balance is a Storm hallmark. Senior running back Shawn Griffin has rushed for 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns and senior quarterback Jake AmRhein has completed 128 of 209 passes for 1,605 yards and 21 touchdowns (5 ints). His gifted wide receiver corps is led by seniors Andrew Kamienski (42 receptions, 617 yards, 8 TD) and Derek Kumerow (44-451-4). South Elgin relies heavily on two-way linemen Matt Zimmerman (6-foot-4, 285 pounds), Mike Ribando (6-4, 250) and Brian Medina (6-5, 225). Veteran linebacker Justin Nutof leads the defense with 3 interceptions. Against Maine South last Friday, Evanston was denied its first Central Suburban League South title in 18 years when the Wildkits surrendered a 14-point fourth-quarter lead, not to mention 279 yards passing and 3 touchdowns through the air.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 8A second-round game between the winner of No. 28 Bartlett (5-4) at No. 5 Brother Rice (8-1).

Class 7A

No. 29 Pekin (5-4) at No. 4 Batavia (8-1)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Outlook: Batavia's first-round playoff draw isn't as intimidating as last season, when Mt. Carmel knocked the Bulldogs out 21-16, yet Pekin presents its own challenges. Specifically, the Dragons are big. A sampling of their linemen's weights: 295, 285, 290 and 305 pounds, respectively, and some play both ways. "They are big, strong and powerful up front on offense and defense," Batavia coach Dennis Piron said. "It's a well-coached team with good skill and tough schemes. They play a lot of cover-2, which we don't see a lot." The Dragons lost quarterback Nick Campbell to injury in the 21-20 victory over Limestone that clinched their playoff bid last Friday. He will not play against Batavia. Junior Mason Carr (6-1, 195) will get the start, according to the Pekin Daily Times. Carr faces a Batavia defense that has sacked the quarterback 46.5 times, paced by senior linebacker Derek Nutley (14) and senior nose guard Miles Williams (7.5). Batavia's offense is paced by senior running back Zach Garrett (941 yards, 14 TD), who Piron said is "as healthy as he's been since August," senior quarterback Kyle Niemiec (1,979 yards, 14 TD, 3 ints.) and 6-foot-2 senior receiver Canaan Coffey (63 rec., 823 yards, 7 TD).

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 7A second-round game between the winner of No. 20 Simeon (7-2) at No. 13 Lincoln Park (7-2).

No. 21 St. Charles North (7-2) at No. 12 Benet Academy (9-0)

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday at Benedictine University

Outlook: St. Charles North makes its second straight postseason appearance while the Redwings make their fourth straight and 19th overall. Both teams boast big linemen on either side of the ball, mutual strengths that could offset. "If there's no real estate between the tackles for either team, it could turn into a perimeter game," North Stars coach Rob Pomazak said. If so, St. Charles North is well-equipped to compete with junior quarterback Zach Mettetal, who has completed 122 of 174 passes for 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns, throwing to receivers Jayson Reckards (30 rec., 500 yards, 9 TD), 6-foot-4 Griffin Hammer (34-439-7), Kyle Novotney (25-354-1) and Tyler Mettetal (21-311-3). Benet counters with 6-2 quarterback Jack Sznajder, who last week rushed 7 times for 87 yards and 3 touchdowns. In a 24-21 win over Joliet Catholic two weeks ago, Sznajder completed 25 of 35 passes to eight different receivers for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 7A second-round game between the winner of No. 28 Belleville West (5-4) at No. 5 Cary-Grove (8-1)

No. 26 Oswego East (6-3) at No. 7 Geneva (8-1)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Outlook: Oswego East scores 24 points per game but the Wolves hang their hat on defense, led by linebackers Nik Wadsworth and Ryan Sykes. Despite a fourth-place finish in the Southwest Prairie Conference, Oswego East's 12.9 points allowed per game led the league That stat that has Geneva's attention. "Facing their defense is like playing in a second- or third-round playoff game, and that pair of linebackers they have is the best pair we've run into this year," Vikings coach Rob Wicinski said. "Their d-line can move. They are tough in the middle and strong on the perimeter." Geneva counters with senior quarterback Sean Chambers, who has completed 98 of 190 passes for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions. Senior running back Justin Taormina has carried 202 times for 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Tim Green leads the Vikings with his team-high 77 tackles. Senior Zach Thompson is credited with 43 tackles and 3 sacks and senior Collin Lee with 41 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 7A second-round game between the winner of No. 23 Bradley-Bourbonnais (6-3) vs. No. 10 Glenbrook North (8-1).

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.