8A heavyweights face tough tests
Top- 10 teams Loyola, Glenbard West, Barrington all face ranked opponents
CLASS 8A
No. 14 Hinsdale Central ( 8- 2) at No. 5 Loyola ( 9- 1), 1 p. m. Saturday
Both teams, who regularly make deep playoff runs, had early- season losses that clearly built character. Senior running back Hamid Bullie and junior receiver Rory Boos helped Loyola finish strong. The Ramblers have scored at least 28 points in every game since Week 3. Hinsdale Central running backs Luke Skokna and Garrett Oakey put up big numbers in a first- round win against Stevenson. CLASS 8A
No. 20 Minooka ( 8- 2) at No. 10 Barrington ( 10- 0), 7 p. m. Friday
Barrington, the Mid- Suburban West champ, has blown through opponents, thanks to senior quarterback Ray Niro, who is explosive and smart. Minooka is coming off a thrilling overtime win against Notre Dame in the first round. Minooka’s defense limited Notre Dame to 149 yards and has been staunch all season, including three shutouts. CLASS 8A
No. 7 Glenbard West ( 9- 1) vs. No. 18 Oswego ( 9- 1), at Oswego E., 1 p. m. Saturday
Glenbard West fell to No. 3 Maine South in Week 1 and hasn’t lost since. Running back Dre Thomas scored three touchdowns in the Hilltoppers’ 42- 12 victory over Bloom in the first round. Oswego running back Charles Coleman ran for three touchdowns and more than 300 yards in a first- round win against Naperville North. The Panthers’ only loss was against Plainfield North in Week 2. CLASS 7A
No. 22 Wheaton North ( 8- 2) at No. 13 Batavia ( 9- 1), 1 p. m. Saturday
Batavia lost to St. Charles North in the last week of the regular season before rebounding with a win against Glenbard North in the first round. Quarterback Riley Cooper scored three touchdowns. The Bulldogs’ defense came through with two interceptions. Wheaton North has put itself in the title- contender conversation by consistently scrapping out wins, including a 35- 7 victory against Fenwick in the first round. Running back Sam Singleton came up big. CLASS 7A
Plainfield North ( 8- 2) at No. 8 Lake Zurich ( 10- 0), 1 p. m. Saturday
Lake Zurich has been unstoppable with quarterback Evan Lewandowski leading a talented offense. Wisconsin recruit Jack Sanborn, who likely will play linebacker in college, is a running back for the Bears. Lake Zurich’s defense allowed 14 points or less in nine of its 10 games. The Plainfield North defense, led by Dillon McCarthy and Nate Curtis, came up big last week in a 41- 6 win over Andrew. McCarthy is also a weapon at running back. The Tigers have a five- game winning streak.