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 through the season. At one point the Hilltoppers knocked off 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 49-10 win over Moline in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. Mount Carmel has had no lack of offensive fireworks this season themselves. The Caravan knocked off Glenbard North 42-15 last week. This is the first ever meeting between the Hilltoppers and the Caravan and it is the top matchup in the second round of the playoffs.
Waubonsie Valley (6-4) at No. 20 Neuqua Valley (7-3)
The facts: 6 p.m. Saturday
The storyline: The DuPage Valley conference goes head to head again. Although the Wildcats dominated the first match-up in Week 3, winning 28-7, Waubonsie Valley enters the second round of the Class 8A playoffs on a high after knocking off undefeated Edwardsville 20-17 in overtime. The Warriors first round success was truly a team effort, and was highlighted by running back Max Ihry. Neuqua Valley junior wide receiver Isaiah Robertson has been special this season, and he caught two touchdowns in the first round victory over Hinsdale Central.
No. 15 New Trier (9-1) at No. 4 Homewood-Flossmoor (9-1)
The facts: 7 p.m. Saturday
The storyline: Homewood-Flossmoor entered the playoffs on a sour note after losing to Bolingbrook, but the Vikings got hot again quickly in the Class 8A playoffs with big performances from twin running back’ Deante and Devonte Harley-Hampton. The pair combined for more than 500 yards and each scored three touchdowns 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 this season. The two connected for two touchdowns in the opening round.
No. 18 Palatine (8-2) at No. 11 Oak Park-River Forest (9-1)
The facts: 1 p.m. Saturday
The storyline: Oak Park-River Forest knocked off Fremd 26-19 in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs last week and have now won three consecutive games after losing to Glenbard West. Senior quarterback Keegan Smith took over the starting job after an injury to Jeremy Hunt in the loss to Glenbard West and he’s had a successful run. Smith passed for two touchdowns and ran for one last week against Fremd. Palatine win over Sandburg last week was one of the best games so far in the playoffs. The Pirates eventually won 20-19, thanks to a two touchdown performance by quarterback Zach Oles.
No. 16 Batavia (9-1) vs. Simeon (8-2) at Gately Stadium
The facts: 7 p.m. Friday
The storyline: Simeon started the season off slowly at 1-2, but the Wolverines have rebounded to win seven consecutive games. Simeon, one of the most athletic teams in the state, took down Lincoln Park 51-6 in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. Players to watch include offensive linemen Terrell Maclin-Dupree and Keevin Agee. Batavia’s lone loss came to Naperville Central in Week 6 and since then the Bulldogs have scored 180 points and allowed just 28. Quarterback Kyle Niemiec threw for four touchdowns in a 56-7 victory against Pekin last week.