Oct. 30--Neuqua Valley at Hinsdale Central
When: 6 p.m Saturday.
Records: Neuqua Valley 6-3, Hinsdale Central 7-2.
On the offensive: Hinsdale Central's Michael Sessa (1,573 passing yards, 17 TDs, 3 INTs) and Christian Bobak (990 rushing yards) are enjoying productive seasons, but the Red Devils are coming off their only bad offensive game. Neuqua spreads the ball to several backs and receivers, with Isaiah Robertson (669 receiving yards) leading the team in yards from scrimmage.
Getting defensive: Robertson, one of the top-ranked juniors in Illinois, has 182 return yards on his four INTs and leads Neuqua with 57 solo tackles. Tommy Ciesla has four sacks for the Wildcats. Hinsdale Central gave up an average of 33 points in its last four games.
The number: 9
Hinsdale Central's ranking in the Tribune Top 20 prior to the Red Devils' 35-24 loss to No. 2 Glenbard West in Week 6. Hinsdale Central had a double-digit lead in that game.
The talk: Both teams are heading in the wrong direction entering the postseason. Neuqua lost its final two regular-season games to Lake Park and Glenbard North, while Hinsdale Central took a 39-7 beating from Oak Park last week.
Helfgot's pick: Neuqua Valley 34-24. Hard to look past Hinsdale Central's last game.
Marist at No. 19 Notre Dame
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Records: Marist 5-4, Notre Dame 8-1.
On the offensive: Marist scored more than 40 points six times in nine games. Brendan Skalitzky threw for 2,423 yards and Liam Keffer caught 61 passes for 1,007 yards and 10 TDs. Tyler Tsagalis (1,717 passing yards, 554 rushing, 25 total TDs), Tim Simon (35 receptions, 706 yards) and the Notre Dame offense average 36.7 points per game.
Getting defensive: Neither team had much success on this side of the ball in the teams' regular-season meeting, a 49-42 Marist victory in Week 4. Tom Hackett (64 tackles) leads a Notre Dame defense that played well in last week's 25-13 victory over Carmel. Marist slowed down Joliet Catholic just enough last week to give itself a chance in a 35-28 loss to the No. 10 Hilltoppers.
The number: 6
Playoff teams from the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Five went either 8-1 or 7-2.
The talk: Notre Dame, the ESCC co-champion along with Joliet Catholic, earned a better draw than to play the only team it lost to this season. Marist could be the best 5-4 team around. Notre Dame did not play three of the teams that beat Marist -- Mount Carmel, Joliet Catholic and Nazareth.
Helfgot's pick: Marist 45-41. Tougher late-season competition pays off.
No. 15 Glenbard North at No. 12 Mount Carmel
When: Noon Saturday at Gately Stadium.
Records: Glenbard North 7-2, Mount Carmel 7-2.
On the offensive: As much as the high school game has evolved, these teams still prefer to run and don't care if you know it. Glenbard North's Devion Hodges and Vittorio Tricase both have more than 1,000 yards rushing. Junior Michael Kennedy has emerged as an additional threat in a Mount Carmel backfield full of senior veterans.
Getting defensive: Mount Carmel LB Mark Mudd has a staggering 26 tackles for losses in eight games, but Terrell Greer and the Caravan defensive line will have to keep him clean by holding their own against Glenbard North's physical offensive line. Greg Newsome and the Glenbard North defense have forced turnovers in bunches, which could come in handy against a Mount Carmel offense that's had a hard time hanging on to the ball.
The talk: It's the most unfortunate draw in the state for both teams. It's the only game with two ranked teams, and it gets worse: the winner will likely play No. 2 Glenbard West in the second round.
The number: 11
Consecutive first-round victories by Mount Carmel. The Caravan had won 13 straight playoff games overall before a loss to Providence in last year's Class 7A semifinals.
Helfgot's pick: Glenbard North 28-26. A little revenge for the 2012 Class 8A championship game.
Bolingbrook at No. 6 Naperville Central
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Records: Bolingbrook 5-4, Naperville Central 8-1.
On the offensive: Conor Joyce (1,644 passing yards, 63 percent) has developed into one of the better quarterbacks around, which has allowed Naperville Central to diversify and forced defenses to pick their poison. Manny Rugamba (43 catches, 639 yards) and Matt Lehmann (30 catches, 673 yards) lead a receiving group that goes six deep. Bolingbrook QB Joseph Coates is a big-play threat as a passer and a runner.
Getting defensive: Bolingbrook possesses perhaps the top defensive player in the state in Ohio State-bound linebacker Tuf Borland. The Raiders held Homewood-Flossmoor to a season-low 21 points in their Week 9 upset victory. Naperville Central handled Lake Park's punishing ground game well in last week's 28-7 victory.
The talk: While Naperville Central looks like a legitimate state-championship contender, what should be made of Bolingbrook? The Raiders were 4-4 and in fifth place in the Southwest Suburban Blue before stunning H-F 22-21 last week.
The number: 3
First-round meetings between the schools, including this one. They met in consecutive years, with Naperville Central winning the 2004 matchup and Bolingbrook winning in 2005. Bolingbrook also beat Naperville Central 22-19 in the 2011 semifinals on the way to the title.
Helfgot's pick: Naperville Central 33-14. Complete and consistent.
Jacobs at No. 17 Lincoln-Way East
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Records: Jacobs 7-2, Lincoln-Way East 7-2.
On the offensive: Jacobs twins Matt and Sean Barnes play as similar as they look, with Matt rushing for 505 yards and 8 TDs on 83 carries and Sean going for 506 yards and 6 TDs on 81. Junior QB Chris Katrenick has thrown for 1,652 yards on 54 percent passing. Brandon Bauer (1,302 passing yards, 506 rushing) leads Lincoln-Way East.
Getting defensive: Ross Nelson (78 tackles, 13 TFLs) and Kyle Werniak (4 INTs) are among the standouts on a Lincoln-Way East defense that allows just nine points per game. Jacobs' biggest challenge will be holding its own up front against Lincoln-Way East's powerful offensive line.
The number: 15
Consecutive playoff appearances for Lincoln-Way East. Also the number of seasons Lincoln-Way East has fielded a team.
The talk: Jacobs has now made the playoffs in five of longtime Stevenson coach Bill Mitz's six seasons at the Algonquin school, but the first four resulted in first-round losses. Are the Golden Eagles ready to take the next step against a difficult opponent?
Helfgot's pick: Lincoln-Way East 27-17. Second-round showdown with No. 3 Libertyville.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
