Maine S. looking good at QB
Maine South’s only loss this season — by three points to Barrington in Week 3 — came in senior Cole Dow’s first start at quarterback. Since then, the Hawks have ripped off five consecutive victories.
Dow clearly has grown into his role. He rushed for two touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass to Danny Lazic in Maine South’s 38-21 victory Friday against New Trier.
It looks like quarterback Bobby Inserra, who guided the Hawks to victories against Glenbard West and Mount Carmel, will be back in time for the playoffs. Inserra was injured in the second half of the victory against the Caravan.
‘‘We’re trying to find out what Cole does versus what Bobby does,’’ Maine South coach Dave Inserra said. ‘‘I think Bobby will be back fresh for the playoffs, and then we can use them both.’’
Dow started the season as a receiver, and Bobby Inserra is capable of playing receiver and running back.
That would be a huge boost for the Hawks, who are one of a handful of Class 8A teams that might be able to challenge runaway favorite Lincoln-Way East.
Playoff situation
Joliet Herald-News sports editor Steve Soucie has been crunching the numbers all weekend. According to Soucie, there are 303 teams eligible to earn one of the 256 spots in the state playoffs.
There are 167 teams that already have qualified with six or more victories, and 39 are still undefeated. Two games in Week 9 feature undefeated teams: Kenwood vs. Payton at Gately and Brother Rice at Montini.
Hilltoppers’ hopes
Joliet Catholic is one of those teams still battling for a playoff spot. The Hilltoppers have won 13 state titles, more than any school in the state, but they missed the playoffs the last two seasons.
So far this season, Joliet Catholic has beaten the teams it was supposed to beat: St. Rita, St. Viator, Carmel and Marian Catholic. Its losses have come against good or excellent teams: IC Catholic, Marist, Benet and Nazareth.
Hilltoppers running back Keenan Hailey is a force. He rushed for 254 yards and scored four touchdowns against St. Viator and must come up big again in Week 9 at Notre Dame. If Joliet Catholic loses, it will miss the playoffs again.
Still unbeaten
Antioch hasn’t received much attention this season, but that might change after it defeated Lakes 43-24 on Friday. The Sequoits, who are undefeated and have held five opponents to eight points or fewer, scored 36 unanswered points in the come-from-behind victory.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is one of the top recruits in the state. The 6-4, 190-pound sophomore already has scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Central Michigan. Want the latest information and analysis on high school football? Our team of Michael O’Brien, Beth Long and Annie Costabile will share the latest news, insights and weekly Super 25 rankings in a livestream show called ‘‘Sun-Times Game Week’’ at 4:30 p.m. every Monday. Like and follow our high school sports Facebook page and watch the show on Facebook Live. You also can ask questions using #suntimesgameweek.