Steve Millar’s 5 high school football games to watch in the Southland and second-round playoff predictions

Lincoln-Way East, St. Laurence, Loyola and Mount Carmel are picks to click for second round of the state playoffs.

Lincoln-Way East (10-0) at Minooka (8-2)

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.

Matchup breakdown: Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. The Griffins and Minooka are meeting for the third time in the last four years, with all three games coming in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs

Lincoln-Way East earned a 35-7 win in 2021 at Minooka and a 28-0 win last season in Frankfort.

It would take a massive upset to make the third time a charm for Minooka, which has gotten solid play from junior quarterback Zane Caves and strong defensive play.

Lincoln-Way East is a different beast, however. Led by junior quarterback Jonas Williams, an Oregon recruit, the Griffins are averaging 45 points.

X-factor: Zion Gist, Lincoln-Way East, senior, running back.

Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.

St. Rita (8-2) at Willowbrook (7-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.

Matchup breakdown: The Mustangs hit the road in Class 7A following a 45-3 first-round win over Rockford Guilford.

But the trip is not nearly as long as many expected because Willowbrook upset Rockton Hononegah 40-21.

The Warriors are no strangers to going deep in the playoffs, having reached the quarterfinals or better five times in the last decade.

Willowbrook, paced by junior quarterback Jahonise Reed, has won six straight.

It will be a step up in competition against a tough Mustangs’ defense led by senior linebackers Justin Buckner and James Kingsbury.

Junior quarterback Steven Armbruster appears to be hitting his stride for St. Rita.

X-factor: Nick Herman, St. Rita, senior, running back.

Steve Millar’s prediction: St. Rita.

Wheaton Academy (9-1) at St. Laurence (7-3)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Matchup breakdown: This Class 4A showdown is a rematch of a 2023 semifinal classic,…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/steve-millar-5-high-school-141400398.html

Author : Chicago Tribune

Publish date : 2024-11-07 14:14:00

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