The semfinal round of the IHSA playoffs features some excellent matchups. Here’s a look at some of the best games.
Class 8A: No. 5 Fremd at No. 1 Mount Carmel, 5 p.m. Saturday
Fremd (11-1) is in the semifinals for the first time in program history. The Vikings’ only loss was to Barrington, a game quarterback Johnny O’Brien missed with an injury. The Northwestern commit is one of the state’s best in a banner year for QBs, completing 66% of his passes for 2,721 yards and 32 touchdowns with five interceptions. Marquan Brewster (Western Illinois) is averaging 15.1 yards on 78 catches with 13 TDs. Owen Jakubczak, another Northwestern commit, anchors a Fremd offensive line that will be tested by arguably the state’s best defensive front. Mount Carmel’s Braeden Jones (USC), Joey Quinn and Caleb Tucker all are Power Four prospects. The Caravan (12-0) have an elite quarterback of their own in Emmett Dowling, plus two Power Four receivers in Quentin Burrell and Marshaun Thornton.
Class 8A: No. 8 Lockport at No. 9 Oswego, 5 p.m. Saturday
No one saw this semifinal coming, other than perhaps the teams involved. Lockport (9-3) started 1-3, but has won eight in a row, including a stunning 35-0 shutout of Barrington last week. The Porters showed off a capable ground game in that win with quarterback Brandon Mecher and running back Chris Miller combining for 221 rushing yards and four TDs. The Porters were the last public school to win 8A, in 2021. Oswego (10-2) has held eight opponents to 10 points or fewer and came from 14-0 down to eliminate Maine South 24-21 last week. Mariano Velasco caught two touchdown passes and had a pick-six for the Panthers, who are in the semifinal for the first time since 2003.
Class 7A: No. 6 Batavia at No. 16 St. Rita, 2 p.m. Saturday
It’s the fourth straight semifinal appearance for Batavia (10-2), which lost to Mount Carmel in last year’s 7A final. Junior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren has completed 67% of his passes for 2,413 yards and 29 TDs with three interceptions. Brett Berggren (841 receiving yards, nine TDs) and Darin Ashiru (736 yards, eight TDs) are his top targets. St. Rita (8-4) started 2-4 but has won six straight. The Mustangs’ losses were all to teams which made the semifinals: Mount Carmel, Brother Rice, Nazareth and St. Francis. Quarterback Steven Armbruster is coming off his biggest game of the season: 272 passing yards and four total TDs in a 56-42 win over Hersey.
Class 7A: No. 7 Downers Grove North at No. 2 Brother Rice, 4 p.m. Saturday
Downers Grove North (10-2) is seeking its second trip to the 7A final in three seasons with several key players back from the 2023 runner-up team. The Trojans have a Big Ten-bound pass-and-catch duo in quarterback Owen Lansu (Minnesota) and tight end Will Vala (Illinois). Lansu, who missed time with a broken left (non-throwing) arm, had three total TDs in last week’s win vs. Lincoln-Way West. Brother Rice (11-1) has an elite defensive line with three Power Four prospects: Illinois commit King Liggins, Brayden Parks and Kameron McGee. Army-bound quarterback CJ Gray and running backs Jaylin Green and Jameson Davis lead a balanced offense.
Class 6A: No. 13 Fenwick at No. 3 Nazareth, 1 p.m. Saturday
Fenwick (9-3) is yet another team with a top-shelf quarterback in Jamen Williams, who has completed 67% of his passes for 2,154 yards and 24 TDs with two interceptions. Brothers Jake and Tommy Thies are productive two-way players for the Friars. Nazareth (11-1) came from 12 down with under three minutes left to beat Lake Zurich 24-21 last week as Jackson Failla threw a pair of late TD passes. Trenton Walker and Jake Cestone (Illinois State) are proven receivers for the Roadrunners, who are up in 6A after winning the last three 5A titles.