Oct. 25--Last season: Providence defeated Cary-Grove 31-28.
Favorite: Glenbard West.
Darkhorse: Benet.
Best first-round game: Glenbard North at Mount Carmel. After an 0-2 start in which it lost by a combined eight points, Glenbard North has been one of the most impressive teams around for the last seven weeks. The Panthers are capable of overpowering almost anybody at the line of scrimmage, but 12-time champion Mount Carmel certainly isn't almost anybody.
Toughest road to DeKalb: See "Best first-round game." The Glenbard North-Mount Carmel winner will have to take on top-seeded and No. 2-ranked Glenbard West in the second round. If it's Mount Carmel, the Caravan would travel to Glenbard West's beloved Duchon Field.
Don't forget about: No. 3-ranked Libertyville went 9-0 in a really good conference, but the Wildcats' road isn't easy. They will likely face a traditional power, Lincoln-Way East, in the second round.
Difference-makers: Sam Brodner, Glenbard West; Canaan Coffey, Batavia; Brian Collis, Maine South; Kurt Gavin, Lincoln-Way East; Devion Hodges, Glenbard West; Riley Lees, Libertyville; Tyler Pennington, Cary-Grove; Jack Sznajder, Benet; Loudon Vollbrecht, Geneva; Barrington Wade, Niles North.
FYI: Maine South is in the 7A field for the first time. The Hawks have been in 8A every year since class expansion in 2001, winning three straight titles from 2008-10.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
