Class 7A is the deepest and most interesting of the eight IHSA state football playoff brackets. There’s a great mix of quality teams from all the different suburban areas, teams from central Illinois, the quad cities and Chicago.
The bracket features Kenwood, the best team in the Public League, along South Side private school powers Brother Rice and St. Rita.
The storylines are solid. Now that Mount Carmel has moved up to Class 8A is this Batavia’s year? Or will Brother Rice step in as the private school nemesis? How far can star junior quarterback Trae Taylor lead Carmel? Has Richards, the No. 1 seed, been unfairly ignored most of the season?
The favorite: Brother Rice. The Crusaders only loss is to Mount Carmel. Their defensive line, led by King Liggins, Kameron McGee and Brayden Parks, is the most dangerous unit in the bracket. Army recruit CJ Gray leads a high-powered offense that is averaging 36 points.
Top contender: Batavia. This was a tough decision. Two teams in bracket, Glenbard West and St. Charles North, have beaten the Bulldogs this season. But Batavia coach Dennis Piron knows how to navigate the state playoffs and he has a dynamic quarterback in Michael Vander Luitgaren.
The junior is 135 for 200 passing this season for 1,856 yards with 21 touchdowns and three interceptions. Linebacker Nick Jansey has led the defense with seven sacks and 54 tackles
Bracket buster: Carmel. Maybe the Corsairs are too young for a deep playoff run this season. But Taylor is the most dynamic offensive player in Class 7A and it is possible he finds a way to evade Brother Rice’s talented defensive line and pull off a huge upset on the road in the quarterfinals.
Carmel has consistently improved throughout the season. The Corsairs have scored at least 38 points in each of their last five games. That’s against three teams that won state titles last season: Montini, Loyola and DePaul Prep.
“I’m feeling more in command than back at the start of the season but it is more that the connection with my receivers is just better,” Taylor said. “The goal is the state championship. That’s been the goal all year.”
Toughest path to the title game: Carmel. Taylor would have to lead the Corsairs past St. Charles North on the road in the second round just to get to that Brother Rice quarterfinal matchup. And if they pull off that upset Glenbard West could be waiting in the semifinals. Carmel would likely have to defeat four Super 25 teams to win the championship.
Class 7A Pairings and O’Brien’s predictions
First Round, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1
#32 Edwardsville at #1 Richards, Fri. 6
#17 Payton at #16 Hersey, Fri. 7:30
#25 St. Rita at #8 Guilford, Sat. 2
#24 Reavis at #9 Lincoln-Way Central, Fri. 7
#29 West Chicago at #4 Glenbard East, Fri. 7
#20 Hoffman Estates at #13 Batavia, Fri. 6
#28 Andrew at #5 Moline, Sat. 4
#21 Glenbard North at #12 Yorkville, Fri. 7
#31 Willowbrook at #2 Glenbard West, Sat. 1
#18 Prospect at #15 Downers Grove North, Fri. 7
#26 Lincoln Park at #7 Lincoln-Way West, Fri. 7
#23 Prosser vs. #10 Kenwood at Lane, Fri, 4
#30 United at #3 St. Charles North, Fri. 7:30
#19 Normal at #14 Carmel, Sat. 1
#27 Jefferson at #6 Brother Rice, Fri. 7
#22 Jacobs at #11 Addison Trail, Sat. noon
O’Brien’s Predictions
Second Round
Hersey beats Richards
St. Rita beats Lincoln-Way Central
Batavia beats Glenbard East
Glenbard North beats Andrew
Glenbard West beats Downers Grove North
Lincoln-Way West beats Kenwood
Carmel beats St. Charles North
Brother Rice beats Jacobs
Quarterfinals
Hersey beats St. Rita
Batavia beats Glenbard North
Glenbard West beats Lincoln-Way West
Brother Rice beats Carmel
Semifinals
Batavia beats Hersey
Brother Rice beats Glenbard West
Championship
Brother Rice beats Batavia