TOP PLAYOFF GAMES
7A: NO. 13 MOUNT CARMEL (8-2) AT NO. 2 GLENBARD WEST (10-0)
The facts: 1 p.m. Saturday. The storyline: Glenbard West has rolled this season, including a run of beating three undefeated teams in a row in West Suburban Silver conference play. Hilltoppers senior running back Sam Brodner, a Vanderbilt recruit, punched in six touchdowns on 16 carries in a 4910 win over Moline in the first round. Mount Carmel has had no lack of offensive fireworks this season, either. The Caravan knocked off Glenbard North 42-15 last week. This is the first meeting between the Hilltoppers and the Caravan, and it’s the top matchup in the second round.
8A: WAUBONSIE VALLEY (6-4) AT NO. 20 NEUQUA VALLEY (7-3)
The facts: 6 p.m. Saturday. The storyline: The DuPage Valley conference has another head-tohead matchup. Neuqua Valley dominated the first matchup 28-7 in Week 3. Waubonsie Valley opened the playoffs with a 20-17 win in overtime over undefeated Edwardsville. The win was highlighted by running back Max Ihry. Neuqua Valley junior wide receiver Isaiah Robertson has been special. He had two touchdown catches in the first-round victory over Hinsdale Central.
8A: NO. 15 NEW TRIER (9-1) AT NO. 4 HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR (9-1)
The facts: 7 p.m. Saturday. The storyline: H-F entered the playoffs on a sour note after losing to Bolingbrook, but the Vikings got hot again quickly with big performances from twin running backs Deante and Devonte Harley-Hampton. The pair combined for more than 500 yards and scored three touchdowns each in a 55-17 win over O’Fallon. New Trier started slowly last week against Lyons but went on to win 30-3. Trevians quarterback Clay Czyzynski has relied on receiver Christian Miller, and the two connected for two touchdowns against Lyons.
8A: NO. 18 PALATINE (8-2) AT NO. 11 OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST (9-1)
The facts: 1 p.m. Saturday. The storyline: OPRF knocked off Fremd 26-19 last week and has won three consecutive games since losing to Glenbard West. Senior quarterback Keegan Smith took over the starting job after an injury to Jeremy Hunt in the loss. Smith passed for two touchdowns and ran for one against Fremd. Palatine’s 20-19 win over Sandburg last week featured a two-touchdown performance by quarterback Zach Oles.
7A: NO. 16 BATAVIA (9-1) AT SIMEON (8-2)
The facts: 7 p.m. Friday at Gately Stadium. The storyline: Simeon started 1-2 but has rebounded to win seven consecutive games. The Wolverines are one of the most athletic teams in the state and took down Lincoln Park 51-6 in the first round. Players to watch include offensive linemen Terrell Maclin-Dupree and Keevin Agee. Batavia’s lone loss came to Naperville Central in Week 6. Since that setback, the Bulldogs have outscored opponents 180-28. Quarterback Kyle Niemiec threw for four touchdowns in a 56-7 victory against Pekin last week.