Oct. 25--Last season: Springfield Sacred-Heart Griffin defeated Montini 29-14.
Favorite: Joliet Catholic.
Darkhorse: Lincoln-Way West.
Best first-round game: Sycamore at Nazareth. The 2014 Class 6A champs, Nazareth is as talented as anybody in the field and will have to earn its way into the second round against one of the stronger teams in the North bracket.
Toughest road to DeKalb: Marian Central made a major statement by beating Nazareth in Week 4. Central would likely have to beat Nazareth to get out of the quarterfinals, but that would mean getting past Joliet Catholic in the second round first.
Don't forget about: Washington is the only 9-0 team in the field.
Difference-makers: Carson Bartels, Nazareth; Bryan Brokop, Lincoln-Way West; Michael Johnson, Joliet Catholic; Julian Love, Nazareth; Jordan Mercure, Lakes; Gabe Montalvo, Lincoln-Way West; Emitt Peisert, Marian Central; Bill Rotnicki, Joliet Catholic; Fayezon Smart, St. Laurence.
FYI: Joliet Catholic's 13 state championships are more than any school in Illinois. The last came in 2007.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
