Conant and Barrington did what they needed to do Friday. Now it is a waiting game for both to see if they qualify for the state playoffs.

Here’s our look at what to expect in Lake County Week 9 football matchups.

Before we take a spin around Lake County one more time in the regular season, here’s a quick check of the conference races and playoff situations heading into Week 9 Friday.

While Lakes running back Amir Al Hindi ran for 226 yards, host Grant made a frantic comeback that ended with a fumble at the Eagles’ 15-yard line with less than a minute remaining. Lakes kept its playoff hopes alive with a 21-18 victory.

Here’s a preview of what to expect for Northern Lake County Conference teams as they get ready for a slate of Thursday night games this week.

Wauconda junior running back Connor Vanselow scored 5 touchdowns as the Bulldogs cruised to a 54-7 victory against Lakes on Friday.

Here’s our look at what to expect in Lake County week 7 football matchups.

Wauconda overcame a major hurdle last week in its ongoing defense of the Northern Lake County Conference title with a 16-14 road win over perennial NLCC power Antioch.

St. Viator turned to Cooper Kmet to change its fortunes Friday in Chicago Heights.

Here’s our look at what to expect in Lake County Week 6 football matchups.

It might not be Italian beef and Italian sausage but Rolling Meadows’ Evan Grace to Ben Petermann is still a great combo.

Wauconda (4-0, 2-0) at Grayslake Central (3-1, 1-1)When: Friday, 7 p.m.Previous Matchup: Wauconda 49, Grayslake Central 14 (2021 at Wauconda)About Wauconda: The Bulldogs remain unbeaten after last week’s 17-9 win at home against Grant. Wauconda becomes playoff-eligible with a win and also would hold onto at least a share of first place in the NLCC (tied with Grayslake North right now). “Wauconda is a tough and physical ballclub,” Central coach Mike Maloney said. “They pride themselves on a swarming-style defense and establishing a potent run game offensively. On tape they appear well-coached, disciplined and passionate. We will have to match their energy and play with relentless effort. We are a tough group to defend and our defense continues to stop our opponents’ run game. We’ll play to our strengths because I know Coach (Chris) Prostka and his club will do as well. We’re looking forward to a good, old-fashioned backyard brawl in this one.”About Grayslake Central: Maloney said he’s been impressed with his team’s misdirection plays, which “have been successful for chunk yardage productivity,” he said. “I’d like to see our offensive line execute at a higher level and play with more violent hands in our base run schemes. Overall, our guys up front are more cohesive now than we have ever been, despite having to shuffle a couple players around. We still need to limit pre-snap penalties in critical moments.” Maloney said Central’s young defense is doing quite well through four games. “We’ve had a youth movement on defense,” he said. “It’s fun to see our young guys flying around and locking horns with our opponents. With youth comes some nerves and overexuberance on the field. We have steadily calmed down and have been effectively executing the game plan. I am really looking forward to seeing the continued growth from those players.” Maloney added Matty Jens’ productivity against opposition running attacks “sets the pace for his teammates,” he said. Kaiden Miller had over 100 returns yards last week against Grayslake North, and also ran for 127 yards and had 50 receiving yards to go with 2 touchdowns. Jens had 4 tackles, an assist, 2 tackles for loss and a sack. Sean Mullen led all tacklers last week with seven.Lake Zurich (3-1, 2-0) at Warren (4-0, 2-0)When: Friday, 7 p.m.Previous Matchup: Warren 42, Lake Zurich 0 (2021 at Lake Zurich)About the Bears: “Warren is a fast and physical team,” Lake Zurich coach Ron Planz said. “In order to be successful, we need to stay ahead of the sticks on offense. We cannot end up in long yardage situations. On defense, we have to eliminate the big play and make them earn their points.” Planz loves where his team is headed, to the point it is playing for no worse than a share of the conference lead this week (Mundelein is also 2-0). “We just keep getting better every week,” he said. “We are not where we want to be yet, but our guys are working to get better.” And Planz pointed to improved physicality as a key observation on defense through four weeks. “I like how we have been able to keep our physicality as the season has gone on,” he said. “That is important for our defense to play with a physical presence.” Planz thought David Penaherrera played well on the defensive line last week, while Nate Breeman, Tyler Erkman and Tyler Burkley all had interceptions.

First-year Lakes coach Jason Ellerman likes what he has seen progress-wise from his offense through four weeks.

Here’s our look at what to expect in Lake County Week 4 football matchups.

Elk Grove, St. Viator and Antioch were among the winners in Cook and Lake County Week 3 football action.

Michael Jefferson’s 50-yard punt return for a touchdown sealed Grayslake North’s 26-7 victory over Grant to open Northern Lake County Conference play on Friday.

Here’s our look at what to expect in Lake County week 3 football matchups.

And just like that, Grayslake North is 2-0 on the young season.

Maine East, St. Viator and Elk Grove were among the winners in Cook and Lake County on the second week of the 2022 high school football season.

Here’s our look at what to expect in Lake County week 2 football matchups.

Lake Zurich coach Ron Planz had plenty to like coming out of his team’s 21-7 season-opening win against Fremd.

Here’s our look at what to expect in Lake County’s week 1 football matchups.

Here’s our look at what to expect in the Northern Lake County Conference.

Jason Ellerman is moving up to head coach at Lakes after six years as defensive coordinator. For the offense, Ellerman is getting help from a familiar name in the Northern Lake Country Conference.