Raiders look to rebound against Warriors
Week 1 of the state football playoffs has arrived and there are many intriguing matchups, including the Sun-Times’ Game of the Week between Bolingbrook and visiting Waubonsie Valley at 7 p.m. Friday.
Bolingbrook (7-2) enters as the No. 11 seed in Class 8A after finishing the regular season with a 31-0 loss to No. 1 Lincoln-Way East. The Raiders had some quality wins, including a Week 8 blowout of Thornton. They’ll need to rebound behind star running back Quintin Pringle to keep their season alive.
Waubonsie Valley (6-3), the No. 22 seed, should provide a tough matchup despite losing three of its final four games. The Warriors had made it into the Super 25 before consecutive losses to Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central and Prairie Ridge. Coming off a 14-0 win over Metea Valley, the Warriors now have the chance for a strong finish in the playoffs.
8A: No. 19 Loyola (6-3) at No. 14 Minooka (7-2), 6 p.m. Saturday
This probably isn’t where Loyola expected to be after reaching the state championship a year ago. The Ramblers lost three times for only the second time since 2007. Now they travel to Minooka to face the Indians, who have won seven consecutive games, including a 24-7 victory over Oswego East last week.
8A: No. 21 Naperville Central (6-3) at No. 12 Plainfield South (7-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Can star quarterback Payton Thorne help push Naperville Central deep into the playoffs? The Redhawks have put up some big offensive numbers, but they’ve allowed at least 35 points in each of their three losses, including a 55-41 shootout loss to Cary-Grove last week. Plainfield South may have the defenders to keep Thorne in check, which would put pressure on Naperville Central’s defense to do its part.
8A: No. 17 New Trier (7-2) at No. 16 Oak Park (7-2), 6:30 p.m. Friday
New Trier has scored more than 35 points in five of the last six weeks, falling short only in a 38-21 loss to Maine South. Oak Park has been even better with six consecutive victories, including a Week 8 road upset of Glenbard West in a tough defensive battle.
6A: No. 13 Lake Forest (5-4, 5-2) at No. 4 Phillips (7-2, 5-0), 1 p.m. Saturday
Lake Forest takes the lengthy trip south to face Phillips, one of the most-hyped teams in the area entering the season, at Gately Stadium. The Scouts have posted a 4-1 road record, including back-to-back wins at Libertyville and Stevenson.
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