Scouting DuPage County's five football semifinal games

By Kevin Schmit and Dave Oberhelman

kschmit@dailyherald.com

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Class 8A

No. 30 Waubonsie Valley (8-4) at No. 23 Marist (8-4)

Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Waubonsie Valley 17, No. 6 Naperville Central 0; Marist 38, No. 15 Oswego 35.

Outlook: Two teams hardened by great conferences - Waubonsie out of the DuPage Valley and Marist from the East Suburban Catholic, where the RedHawks lost to Benet, Nazareth and Joliet Catholic plus nonconference foe Mt. Carmel. Waubonsie has thrived in the playoffs with its will, its ball control offense and its defense. Running back Max Ihry is up to 1,374 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns. Yet quarterback Jack Connolly - or pitchback Tanner Westwood - are fully able to surprise with the pass. Cornerback Trevon Moore typified a bend-but-don't-break defense with an interception and 2 fumble recoveries last week. He'll again be on the hot seat against a Marist passing game that's earned 3,412 yards, or 400 more than Waubonsie's total. Quarterback Brendan Skalitsky heads a spread offense that has scored 462 points to Waubonsie's 235. Still, Ihry, linebacker Josh Dominiak, safety Connor Yukna and the Warriors defense has allowed just 12 points a game, less than half Marist's 29.

Advancement: The winner advances to the Class 8A championship game against the winner between No. 1 Loyola (12-0) and No. 13 Palatine (10-2).

Class 7A

No. 5 Cary-Grove (11-1) vs. No. 1 Glenbard West (12-0)

Game Time: 1 p.m. Saturday at Glenbard South.

Last week: Cary-Grove 42, No. 4 Batavia 21; Glenbard West 45, No. 9 Rockford Auburn 14.

Outlook: Cary-Grove, averaging 300 rushing yards, will pound its triple-option at Glenbard West's speedy defense with linebackers Jackson Goleash, Chris Langan, Eric Samuta, Ross Andreasik and Nico Gagliano, who had 3 sacks last week. Trojans fullback Tyler Pennington leads the team with 1.335 rushing yards, but the Hilltoppers can't afford to focus too much on the dive like Batavia did. With Glenbard West starting running backs Dom Ficarella and Isaiah Skinner both out, the offensive load has fallen on Vanderbilt-bound Sam Brodner more than ever. He rushed for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns last week and also returned a kick for a touchdown to give him 41 scores on the season. Cary-Grove's defense, led by Pennington at linebacker, has improved as the season's advanced. This is another game where Hilltoppers quarterback Brian Cochrane, with 14 touchdowns and an interception, could be a difference-maker.

Advancement: The winner advances to the Class 7A championship game against the winner between No. 23 Bradley-Bourbonnais (9-3) and No. 3 Libertyville (12-0).

Class 6A

No. 2 Prairie Ridge (11-1) at No. 1 Montini (12-0)

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Prairie Ridge 42, No. 3 Riverside-Brookfield 13; Montini 49, No. 5 DeKalb 14.

Outlook: This is Montini's first hardy 6A playoff test. Prairie Ridge lost only to 7A semifinalist Cary-Grove 21-14 and has 14 playoff appearances, including the 2011 6A title in a short history. Averaging 51 points, its triple-option offense is led by sophomore quarterback Samson Evans, running backs Cole Brown and Nathan Griffin. After gaining 352 yards all on the ground in last week's 42-13 win over Riverside-Brookfield, Wolves coach Chris Schremp said the offense didn't play that well, hinting at 4 turnovers. Forcing errors is Montini's cup of tea. The Broncos are an amazing plus-34 on the year as cornerback Mitch West, safety Caleb Stevenson and linebacker John Embrey all have caused 2 fumbles. Keeping defensive ends Tommy Hyland and Brandon Andino sound on the edge will be key against a scheme Montini hasn't seen since last year at Joliet Catholic. Quarterback Justin Blake has accounted for 2,209 yards of offense.

Advancement: The winner advances to the Class 6A championship against the winner between No. 13 Hinsdale South (9-3) and No. 6 Crete-Monee (10-2).

No. 6 Crete-Monee (10-2) at No. 13 Hinsdale South (9-3)

Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Crete-Monee 38, No. 2 Sacred Heart-Griffin 35; Hinsdale South 42, No. 1 Lincoln-Way North 35.

Outlook: While some might be surprised that Hinsdale South knocked off the bracket's top seed, the real shocker came in Crete-Monee's win over a two-time defending state champion. With the unexpected matchup set, the Hornets have the chance to reach their first title game since 1980. The weather may play a factor in the explosiveness of both teams, but a mass of points is still expected. Crete-Monee, the 6A champion in 2012, relies on a two-quarterback system with Clint Ratkovich, its leading rusher, and Isaiah Rucker, who's more of a throwing quarterback. Multiple running back and receiver threats will test Hinsdale South's front line led by Michigan State-bound Josh King and nose man Aaron Woods. There may be no playoff offense more diverse than the Hornets' with quarterback Sean McCormack, who's thrown for 2.810 yards, and running back Marcus Curry, who's rushed for 1,202 yards. Last week the duo combined for 469 yards.

Advancement: The winner advances to the Class 6A championship against the winner between No. 1 Montini (12-0) and No. 2 Prairie Ridge (11-1).

Class 3A

No. 5 Bishop McNamara (11-1) at No. 3 IC Catholic Prep (11-1)

Game time: 4 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Bishop McNamara 53, No. 8 Byron 32; IC Catholic 37, No. 2 Princeton 12.

Outlook: Seeking its third state final appearance and first since 2008, IC Catholic faces the team that dealt its sole defeat, snapping a 21-21 tie to win 49-32 in Week 1. (Bishop Mac lost to Class 5A semifinalist St. Laurence.) The Knights must rein in Jonathan Ward. A running back committed to Central Michigan, behind fullback Jerrico Johnson - also the Fightin' Irish's all-time leading tackler at linebacker - Ward has run for 1,965 yards and 28 touchdowns. On play-action Irish quarterback Kobe Shutter targets Chris Bell, who has 14 touchdowns and 806 yards on 31 receptions. Hosting Elmhurst's first football semifinal since York in 1995, IC's goal is to hold the Irish to third-and-long situations, unleashing defensive tackle Jimmy Kenneally, who has 23 sacks, with Patrick Jordan, Matt Sutton and Jordan Rowell in pass coverage. Offensively, Rowell has sped for 1,542 yards, 23 touchdowns, and quarterback Luke Ricobene has the touch for 2,193 yards passing and 26 touchdowns.

Advancement: The winner advances to the Class 3A championship against the winner between No. 1 St. Joseph-Ogden (12-0) and No. 10 Tolono Unity (9-3).