No. 4 St. Charles East (11-0) at No. 2 Palatine (11-0), Sat. 5 p.m.
Gritty and talented Palatine is coming off a thrilling 20-17 overtime win against Lyons. Palatine played solid defense, as they have all season, and eventually grabbed an interception in overtime to win. St. Charles East also has a defense to be reckoned with. Senior quarterback Zach Mitchell has been a key cog in the offense. This game of unbeatens will come down to which team’s offense can break through first. It will be broadcast live on CSN Chicago.
No. 25 Benet (9-2) at No. 20 Rolling Meadows (11-0), Sat. 6 p.m.
Rolling Meadows has quietly put together one of the most impressive seasons in the area. Quarterback Asher O’Hara can make plays with his feet and causes opposing defenses fits. The undefeated Mustangs meet a surging Benet team that made its debut in the Super 25 this week. Benet comes off a 38-14 victory over Normal. The Redwings’ defense held the Ironmen scoreless for the final three quarters. Benet quarterback Jack Sznajder connected with receiver Alec McEachern for two touchdowns. That’s a duo to watch as these two teams push forward towards the Class 7A semifinals.
No. 6 Lemont (11-0) at St. Laurence (8-3), Sat. 5 p.m.
A second round victory over Crete-Monee was a coming out party for St. Laurence wide receiver Keshawn Douglas. He scored three touchdowns in a come from behind 41-40 win to put the Vikings firmly on the map and in the Class 6A title conversation. Douglas paired with explosive running back Fayezon Smart to provide St. Laurence with plenty of offensive options. Now they meet undefeated Lemont, which has done everything right this season. Quarterback Spencer Nagel has been irreplaceable for the Indians and they have rolled through their first two opponents. This match-up has the potential to be one of the best this weekend.
No. 22 Phillips (10-1) at Herscher (11-0), Sat. 6 p.m.
This season’s Phillips squad is not one to be overlooked. It had a real shot to repeat at Class 4A state champions. Top-seeded Herscher stands in the way. Phillips quarterback J’Bore Gibbs is one of the best all-around quarterbacks in the area and is coming off a second round performance where he racked up three rushing touchdowns in a 50-16 win over Aurora Central. Phillips has a disciplined defense and a very talented defensive line to go along with hard-nosed running back Kamari Mosby. The Wildcats face their toughest opponent of the postseason in Herscher, a team with a staunch defense that beat Dixon 38-26 last week.
No. 5 Glenbard West (9-2) at Edwardsville (10-1), Sat. 1 p.m.
Glenbard West is a serious contedner for the Class 8A crown. The Hilltoppers knocked off two top ten opponents in the first two rounds of the playoffs, Neuqua Valley and Homewood-Flossmoor. This week the Hilltoppers travel to Edwardsville to take on another team that’s beaten down two big-time area teams: Oak Park and Oswego. This matchup is one of heavy hitters, and if Glenbard West pulls out the win it will have potentially unmatchable momentum. Edwardsville quarterback Brendan Dickmann threw for two touchdowns and rushed for one in a 31-14 victory over Oswego last week. Glenbard West’s defense has stepped up to the plate so far, it will have to do it again in Edwardsville.
