5 high school football games to watch this weekend
The IHSA football playoffs are here, and the hardest thing we have to do is narrowing this down to five games to watch.
Fortunately, you can get previews of all our area playoff teams at football.dailyherald.com.
Palatine (6-3) at Neuqua Valley (6-3)
A fun matchup for MSL vs. DVC bragging rights. The Wildcats beat Palatine 31-8 in the 2021 playoffs, and they come in off an impressive win over Naperville Central.
But they have plenty to be worried about, starting with Tulane-bound running back Dominik Ball, who has set a Palatine school record with 4,068 rushing yards, including 1,391 this season with 19 touchdowns.
The Wildcats are strong defensively, allowing just 32 points while going 4-0 the past four weeks.
Brother Rice (5-4) at Batavia (8-1)
It's always interesting to see who draws the Chicago Catholic schools, and Dennis Piron's Bulldogs get one of them.
As always, don't be deceived by the 5-4 record. Brother Rice is the only team to beat Maine South this year, and they have lost to three teams who won state championships a year ago.
But Batavia lives for these types of games, the Bulldogs are at home, and they will bring a fierce defense along with quarterback Ryan Boe directing a potent and balanced offense.
Glenbrook South (4-5) at Barington (9-0)
One of six at-large teams to qualify with a losing record, Glenbrook South isn't a pushover for the undefeated Broncos. Barrington already is well aware of that; these teams met in Week 3 with the Broncos pulling out a 27-19 win.
Glenbrook South, 10-1 last year, started 0-4 with its four opponents - York, Lake Zurich, Barrington and Prospect - going a combined 32-4. Their other loss? To 8-1 Maine South.
Buffalo Grove (6-3) at Prospect (7-2)
You never know what will happen when two conference foes match up for a second time.
The first game wasn't that close, a 63-28 Prospect win, but Buffalo Grove was missing several key two-way players in the first matchup, and the Bison have the weapons to put points on the scoreboard.
The key is keeping Prospect off it, which is easier said than done against quarterback Jake Skoog, wide receiver Nick Carlucci, running back Noah Easter and company.
Naperville North (6-3) at Glenbard West (7-2)
Longtime DuPage County fans have to be excited about this matchup between two programs that have both won state championships in the past 15 years and play in proud conferences.
Senior wide receiver Luke Williams, a Purdue recruit, leads the Huskies. Glenbard West has overcome the loss of 2022 all-state running back Julius Ellens with Teyion Oriental emerging as the lead back.