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TF North, Lincoln-Way West, Marist, Santa Rita and Reavis are all slated to click for the fourth week of the regular season.
Evergreen Park (2-1) at TF North (3-0)
Kick off: Friday 6 o’clock.
Matchup breakdown: The Mustangs shook off a disappointing season-opening loss to Marengo and have had the offense the past two weeks. Senior running back David Johnson piled up 217 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries in Friday’s 49-31 win over Oak Lawn.
Evergreen Park will need senior quarterback Rowan Smyth to click against a TF North defense that has allowed just 14 points in three games.
The Meteors, who outscored rival TF South 24-14 last week as senior quarterback Joseph Merritt scored two TDs, will look to stay undefeated in a Week 5 showdown with Lemont.
X factor: Trevon Conner, TF North, senior, receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Northern TF.
Steve Johnston/Daily Southtown
Lincoln-Way West’s Austin Rowswell (23) runs an end against Stagg during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Palos Hills on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Steve Johnston/Daily Southtown)
Sandburg (2-1, 0-0) at Lincoln-Way West (3-0, 2-0)
Kick off: 7 pm on Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Sandburg stunned observers last week by crushing Homewood-Flossmoor 63-34 and the Eagles’ offense, led by senior quarterback Anthony Shelton and senior receiver Charlie Snoreck, got going.
Lincoln-Way West, which got interceptions from Jackson Mansker and John Ramos in a 40-7 win over Metea Valley, has won every game by at least three TDs, but it will get its biggest test.
In a scheduling quirk, this will be Sandburg’s first game in the new Southwest Valley Red as the Warriors complete their four-game conference schedule beginning in Week 5. A win over the Eagles would go a long way to completing his quest to win the inaugural. conference title.
X factor: Austin Rowswell, Lincoln-Way West, senior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way West.
Marist (3-0, 0-0) at Joliet Catholic (2-1, 0-1)
Kick off: 7:30 pm Friday at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
Matchup breakdown: It is the opening of the league in the CCL / ESCC Orange, a new division for both teams this season.
The RedHawks rolled it out under new coach Mike Fitzgerald as senior quarterback Jacob Ritter clicked with a deep group of receivers.
Joliet Catholic, which snuck by Fenwick 14-13 last week, has been strong defensively, led by junior defensive lineman Ian Campbell and senior linebacker Michael Jaworski.
But the Hilltoppers have struggled offensively and things won’t get any easier against a tough Marist defense led by senior linebacker Brad Fitzgibbon (Iowa).
X factor: Stephen Brown, Marist, junior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Marist.
Santa Rita (2-1, 0-0) at Wheaton San Francesco (3-0, 0-0)
Kick off: 7:30 pm Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This CCL/ESCC Green opener features two teams coming off huge wins.
St. Rita got two long TD passes from junior quarterback Steven Armbruster and that was enough for a 14-7 win over Brother Rice.
That’s because the Mustangs’ defense continues its dominance. St. Rita held an offensively dynamic Sandburg to 17 points and even put some pressure on Mount Carmel despite a 28-0 loss.
Senior linebacker Justin Buckner and the rest of the Mustangs’ defense will be tested again by Wheaton St. Francis, who is riding in a shocking 35-21 victory over Loyola.
Junior quarterback Brady Palmer is playing well for the Spartans, but this St. Rita defense is the real deal.
X factor: Matt Grzyb, Santa Rita, senior, kicker/punter.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Santa Rita.
Eisenhower (1-2, 0-1) at Reavis (2-1, 0-1)
Kick off: Saturday noon.
Matchup breakdown: This South Suburban Red matchup could be vital to both teams’ playoff chances.
Eisenhower went through the two toughest games of its schedule, falling to Lincoln-Way West and Richards, but the Cardinals have yet to click offensively — even in a 22-20 win over winless Johnson Prep.
Reavis also struggled on offense last week in a 17-9 loss at Argo.
Look for both teams to lean on their defenses, with the Cardinals leaning on senior linebacker Andre Lovett (Illinois) and the Rams on a strong line led by senior linebacker Terry Ferguson.
X factor: Blake Stefanek, Reavis, junior, kicker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Notice.
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