Class 7A: No. 9 Highland Park (7-2) at No. 8 Hononegah (7-2), 2 p.m. Saturday
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tommy Sutker, Highland Park — The quarterback is the catalyst within the Giants’ offense, and he has been dangerous with his arm and legs throughout his senior season.
Jason Goldsmith, Highland Park — The imposing middle linebacker is a three-year starter, and he figures to be crucial in slowing down Hononegah’s rushing attack.
Jake Wilson, Hononegah — Wilson, a senior running back, rushed for more than 200 yards in each of Hononegah’s final three games of the regular season.
Alex Martin, Hononegah — The senior running back has run for more than 193 yards in Hononegah’s last three games.
KEY MATCHUP
Hononegah runs the ball extremely well — Wilson and Martin have both rushed for more than 2,000 yards in their careers — and it’s up to the Giants’ defensive linemen and linebackers to stop the run. The Indians’ rushing attack has helped Hononegah score 275 points in its final six games of the regular season.
ON THE OTHER SIDELINE
Boylan Catholic has been the dominant team in the Northern Illinois Conference over the last decade, and the Titans ended their regular season on a 74-game winning streak within the NIC-10. Hononegah nearly ended that streak this year. The Indians led Boylan 21-0, but the Titans rallied and pulled off a 35-34 victory on Sept. 6.
HISTORY
The Giants last played a team from the NIC-10 in 1999, when Boylan beat them 47-17 in the first round of the playoffs.
