The quarterfinal round of the IHSA playoffs feature some stellar matchups. Here’s a look at some of the best games.
Class 8A: No. 3 Lincoln-Way East at No. 1 Mount Carmel, 4 p.m. Saturday
This is the most anticipated game of the year. Mount Carmel (11-0) has been top-ranked since the preseason and features Power Four talent all over the field. Senior quarterback Emmett Dowling has been brilliant in his first season as a starter, with receivers Quentin Burrell and Marshaun Thornton as elite targets and Nathan Samuels as a capable back. Defensive playmakers include Joey Quinn and USC commit Braeden Jones up front, Roman Igwebuike and Stephen Winkler at linebacker and Tavares Harrington in the secondary. Lincoln-Way (9-2) lost to Naperville North and Sandburg with USC-bound quarterback Jonas Williams out injured, but he’s back now. Williams set the IHSA career record for passing TDs earlier this season and should break the career passing yards mark in this game.
Class 8A: No. 7 Fremd at No 17 Bolingbrook, 7 p.m. Saturday
In a banner year for quarterbacks, Northwestern commit Johnny O’Brien of Fremd (10-1) has been one of the best. O’Brien, who was out hurt when the Vikings lost to Barrington, has completed 68% of his passes for 2,448 yards and 30 touchdowns with four interceptions. Western Illinois commit Marquan Brewster has 70 catches for 1,073 yards and 13 TDs. Bolingbrook (9-2) has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, going from worst to first in the Southwest Prairie West with a lineup that features just five seniors. Junior running back TJ Lewis has offers from Indiana and Kansas State among others.
Class 8A: Oswego at No. 4 Maine South, 1 p.m. Saturday
Maine South (10-1) lost its opener 40-0 to Lincoln-Way East but has averaged 44 points a game since with quality wins over Warren, Barrington and Glenbrook South among others. The Hawks have yet another elite quarterback in junior Indiana commit Jameson Purcell and a productive running back in Niko Kokosioulis. They combined for four TDs in last week’s comeback win against Hinsdale Central. Oswego (9-2) has relied on a typically stout defense that has held eight opponents to 10 or fewer points. Junior quarterback Drew Kleinhans has passed for 1,340 yards and 13 TDs.
Class 7A: No. 10 St. Charles North at No. 2 Brother Rice, 6 p.m. Saturday
St. Charles North (10-1) has experience (41 seniors) and an elite kicker (Iowa State commit Lucas Tenbrock) to go along with a productive pass-and-throw combo in quarterback JT Padron and Northwestern-bound receiver Keaton Reinke. Brother Rice (10-1) has one of the state’s elite defensive lines, led by senior Illinois commit King Liggins, five-star sophomore Kameron McGee and four-star junior Brayden Parks. On the other side of the ball, quarterback CJ Gray is an Army commit who has passed for 1,446 yards and 20 TDs.
Class 7A: No. 22 Lincoln-Way West at No. 9 Downers Grove North, 1 p.m. Saturday
Downers North (9-2) played a chunk of the season without Minnesota-bound quarterback Owen Lansu, who broke his left (non-throwing arm) but is back now. Illinois commit Will Vala and Oliver Thulin are a pair of productive two-way players for the Trojans. Lincoln-Way West (10-1) has a balanced offense led by South Dakota commit Jahan Abubakar at running back and dual-threat quarterback Grant Tustin.