The calendar still says October, but the Class 6A playoff opener between No. 16 St. Viator (5-4) and top seed Cary-Grove (9-0) today at 1 p.m. has more of a mid-November feel to it.

Though the Lions from Arlington Heights are only a game above .500, they play brutal competition week in and week out in one of the toughest conferences in the state: the East Suburban Catholic. Seven of 10 ESCC teams made the state playoffs this year.

"This is an awfully good 5-4 team," Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay said. "For a No. 1 seed, this is more like a quarterfinal game or better. Their record is deceiving - 31-28 (loss) to Joliet Catholic. That says it right there."

Three of St. Viator's 4 losses were against playoff teams: Joliet Catholic (7-2), Marist (7-2) and Notre Dame (6-3). Had the Lions recovered an onside kick in the final moments, they might have prevailed at Joliet Catholic. The only time the they turned in a puzzling result was a 24-0 loss to Benet (3-6) in Week 6, a game in which they amassed 337 total yards but couldn't dent the end zone.

St. Viator's pass-oriented offense is led by the ESCC MVP, quarterback Julian Sipiora. The senior has thrown for 1,186 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 835 yards and 11 more scores. His mobility is a major concern for the Trojans, who snared their sixth straight undefeated title in the Fox Valley Conference this season.

"The key is to put pressure on the quarterback, yet contain him," Kay said. "That's sometimes easier said than done because you want to put the pressure on him, but you don't want to put so much pressure that he becomes elusive and now he's running around out of containment."

The Cary-Grove defense has 5 shutouts to its credit and has held opponents to an average of 6.9 points and 138 yards per game, led by senior linebackers Kyle Liebforth (35 tackles), Nick Underwood (32) and Stu Gaulke (29.5).

The Trojans counter with one of their most explosive triple-option offenses to date. Their statistics belie their ability since the starting lineup sat for most of the second halves of blowouts in the first five weeks of the season. A veteran, athletic offensive line led by center Hayden Baker (6-2, 245) has paved the way for successful seasons by the all-senior backfield.

Quarterback Tyler Krebs has completed 28-of-61 passes for 593 yards and 12 TDs with just 2 interceptions. He has rushed for 461 yards and 9 scores. Fleet-footed wingback Alex Hembrey has rushed for 735 yards and 12 TDs and has 220 yards and 5 touchdowns receiving. Bruising fullback Eric Chandler (701 yards, 10 TDs) and superb blocker Steve Hapanovich (229 yards, 2 TDs) give the attack unpredictability. Senior receiver Chad McCarron (6-3, 184) has 14 receptions for 264 yards and 6 touchdowns.

The Lions counter defensively with senior all-ESCC picks Connor Ptacin at nose guard and linebacker Sean Conerty.

"We just have to play well and consistent," St. Viator coach Chris Kirkpartrick said. "The thing I'm most impressed with about them is you see them play consistent football. We've been up and down and down and up. But I love games like this (as the underdog). We'll see what happens, and it's exciting to get to do it."

The winner would host No. 8 Mather (7-2) or visit No. 6 Highland Park (6-3) in the second round.