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Week 1 playoffs, DuPage Valley: Naperville Central set to host Bolingbrook

Class 8A

No. 27 Bolingbrook (5-4) at No. 6 Naperville Central (8-1)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: No Week 9 score was more shocking than Bolingbrook's 22-21 victory over previously unbeaten and top-ranked Homewood-Flossmoor that came on a last-second field goal. It propelled the Raiders into the playoffs and set up a scary first-rounder for Naperville Central. The question is which Bolingbrook will show up - Friday's or the one the week before that committed 7 turnovers in a loss to Lockport. Ohio State-bound Tuf Borland and Lucas Warren might be the best linebacker tandem the Redhawks have faced this year. Bolingbrook will need much more than that to slow a Naperville Central offense powered by DuPage Valley Conference offensive player of the year Conor Joyce, a quarterback who has Iowa-bound Emmanuel Rugamba and fellow receiver Matt Lehmann devastating defenses. The Redhawks' unsung defense has improved all year, especially in the secondary led by Jon Barker and Garrett Purdy, both all-DVC honorees for the league's outright champion.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 8A second-round game against the winner of No. 22 Warren (5-4) at No. 11 Curie (8-1).

No. 19 Neuqua Valley (6-3) at No. 14 Hinsdale Central (7-2) Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: Neuqua Valley enters its 12th postseason coming off two straight losses. Common denominators are chasing points and a ground game seeking greater offensive balance. Good news is coach Bill Ellinghaus said top back Nick Osikowicz, also Neuqua's leading tackler at linebacker, is his healthiest in weeks. He'll need help from DeVaughn Welch and receiver Owen Piche in at the Wildcat. Safety Isaiah Robertson will buckle down against a team averaging 39 points. Hinsdale Central limps in after last week's loss to Oak Park, which proved especially costly when Michigan State-bound offensive lineman Matt Allen was ejected. He won't play in this one. With Doug Kramer still in the mix and Tommy Kavanagh back from injury, the line should be strong enough to protect quarterback Michael Sessa and open holes for running back Christian Bobak, who's closing in 1,000 rushing yards. Defensive leader Matt Bradley also returns at linebacker.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 8A second-round game against the winner of No. 30 Waubonsie Valley (5-4) at No. 3 Edwardsville (9-0).

No. 30 Waubonsie Valley (5-4) at No. 3 Edwardsville (9-0)

Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Outlook: Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy reminded his team of 2011 when No. 16 seed Belleville East beat the No. 1 Warriors 14-7. Anything can happen, particularly when steeled by the DuPage Valley Conference schedule. To prevail Waubonsie needs a tough mindset and, mainly, not leave points on the field especially when Edwardsville allows just 7 points a game. The option game of quarterback Jack Connolly, tailback Max Ihry and pitchback Rodney Gee has been balanced as of late and is bolstered by sophomore Tanner Westwood. Tyler Caldwell and the offensive line will deal with multi-offered Edwardsville defensive end A.J. Epenesa. Edwardsville presents a spread offense that favors the edge over running between the tackles. Jackson Morrissey and Kendell Davis each have scored 9 touchdowns but banged up quarterback Riley Jones is "day to day," Tigers coach Matt Miller said. Waubonsie defenders like sophomore linebacker Josh Dominiak have grown up fast.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 8A second-round game against the winner of No. 19 Neuqua Valley (6-3) at No. 14 Hinsdale Central (7-2).

No. 17 Glenbard North (7-2) at No. 16 Mt. Carmel (7-2)

Game time: Noon Saturday at Gately Stadium in Chicago.

Outlook: This seems more like a late-round game than a playoff opener. Considering these two have combined to run the ball about 70 percent of the time expect a quick resolution. Why pass when Glenbard North's Devion Hodges has run for 200-plus yards each of the last two weeks and both he and Vittorio Tricase top 1,000 yards rushing? Because Mt. Carmel - beaten only by 8-1 Brother Rice and 9-0 Loyola - allows 51 yards rushing per game headed by all-Chicago Catholic League Blue linebackers Andrew Guerra and Patrick O'Shea and 279-pound defensive lineman Terrell Greer. Glenbard North also has talented receiver Jace James; when given the chance he's caught 23 passes for 401 yards, 3 touchdowns. Panthers linebackers Alex Taylor, Chris Chino and Jaylen Fitzpatrick are tasked to diagnose the Caravan's tricky triple option featuring A.J. Lewis, A.J. Ries and quarterback Anthony Thompson. Glenbard North has 17 pass interceptions, 5 by Greg Newsome.

Advancement: The winner advances to a Class 7A second-round game against the winner of No. 32 Moline (5-4) at No. 1 Glenbard West (9-0).

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