Oct. 16--Batavia at Geneva
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Records: Batavia 6-1, Geneva 7-0.
On the offensive: Balance typically makes Batavia difficult to defend, and the 2015 Bulldogs have achieved it with Kyle Niemiec (1,502 passing yards, 66-percent accuracy), Canaan Coffey (48 catches) and Zach Garrett (696 rushing yards, 13 TDs). Geneva has a similar approach with Sean Chambers (17 TD passes, two INTs) and Justin Taormina (917 rushing yards).
Getting defensive: Geneva will look to avoid obvious passing situations to keep Batavia pass rushers Derek Nutley and Miles Williams (18 combined sacks) honest. Batavia has two shutouts in its past four games but also gave up plenty of points to the better teams on its schedule. Griffin Bellano and the Geneva defense will have to seize opportunities to take away the ball.
The number: 103
Years the schools have been competing in football. Batavia won the first meeting in 1913 and the past four, while Geneva holds a 51-40-5 all-time advantage.
The talk: Batavia has dominated the rivalry and the Upstate Eight River in recent years, winning its past 29 conference games. Geneva last won the conference title in 2010.
Helfgot's pick: Batavia 44-39. Shootout down to the final possession.
Oak Forest at Lemont
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Records: Oak Forest 7-0, Lemont 6-1.
On the offensive: Quarterback Zach Russell has been a playmaker as a passer and runner for an Oak Forest offense that has averaged 35 points in its four conference victories. Quarterback Spencer Nagel and the Lemont offense have reached the 40s in three straight games.
Getting defensive: Joe Kelly, Jeremy Fejedelem and the Lemont defense have been a stabilizing force for a team that returned almost nobody from last year's Class 6A runner-up squad. Nick Czeszewski has been a playmaker for an Oak Forest defense that is going to need to stiffen after yielding 27 points to Tinley Park last week.
The number: 19
Lemont victories in Bret Kooi's 21 games as head coach, including the first 13 before Nazareth beat Lemont 26-7 in last year's 6A final. Richards beat Lemont 28-24 in a Week 3 game in which Lemont led 21-7.
The talk: The South Suburban Blue title is on the line. Lemont has four outright titles and shared two others in the past seven seasons. Oak Forest last won the league outright in 2007 but has tied for first twice with Lemont twice since.
Helfgot's pick: Lemont 29-23. King of the South Suburban Blue.
Marist at Nazareth
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Records: Marist 5-2, Nazareth 5-2.
On the offensive: Marist has been doing what Marist does, throwing all over the field and daring people to outscore it. Brendan Skalitzky added to his big numbers with four touchdown passes in last week's 41-7 victory over Marian Catholic. Nazareth's Carson Bartels threw five touchdown passes in the second half of the Roadrunners' 38-35 loss to Joliet Catholic last week.
Getting defensive: As potent as Marist's hurry-up offense can be, Nazareth and Notre Dame-bound safety Julian Love may be better equipped to handle Marist's spread than they were Joliet Catholic's double wing. Marist must neutralize Nazareth at the line of scrimmage to have any chance at stopping Bartels and RB Ivory Kelly-Martin.
The number: 7
Of East Suburban Catholic Conference's 10 teams are still eligible for the playoffs. Six have already won the requisite five games, while Carmel has to beat Marian Central (5-2) and Notre Dame (6-1). The other three are all 0-5 in conference play.
The talk: Nazareth's showdown with Joliet Catholic last week was like two games in one, as Joliet Catholic led 31-0 at halftime before Nazareth stormed back. Another meeting, in the Class 5A playoffs, is possible and likely.
Helfgot's pick: Nazareth 44-34. Roadrunners will be at their best after last week's disappointment.
No. 1 Homewood-Flossmoor at Sandburg
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Records: H-F 7-0, Sandburg 6-1.
On the offensive: Homewood-Flossmoor has looked as good as any offense in recent memory. The Vikings are so deep that their fourth leading receiver, Tyrice Richie, is averaging more than 30 yards per reception. Sandburg hopes to serve a steady diet of running back Patrick Brucki.
Getting defensive: Jibreel Brown's three interceptions for Sandburg in last week's 35-14 victory over Joliet West were three more than H-F QB Bryce Gray has thrown all season. Linebacker Percy Walters and the H-F defense had their best showing of the season in last week's 28-3 victory over Lincoln-Way East
The number: 41
Homewood-Flossmoor's average margin of victory. The Vikings are outscoring the opposition 346-59. Sandburg's differential is 239-156.
The talk: Homewood-Flossmoor can clinch a share of its first Southwest Suburban Blue title. The Vikings host Bolingbrook (4-3) next week.
Helfgot's pick: Homewood-Flossmoor 55-23. Firepower. And lots of it.
Fremd at Barrington
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Records: Fremd 5-2, Barrington 6-1.
On the offensive: Barrington's Johnny Davidson has been among the area's best quarterbacks two years running, and he was nearly miraculous in the final minute of the Broncos' loss to Palatine last week. Fremd should benefit from the return of Kenney Lyke, a Michigan State-bound safety who has lightened the load of RB Charlie Kaye.
Getting defensive: Fremd and Yale-bound defensive end Matt McCabe will try to keep the elusive Davidson under wraps. Barrington allowed nearly 30 points per game in its first three Mid-Suburban West contests.
The number: 75.4
Davidson's completion percentage, 95-of-126 marksmanship. He's thrown for 1,286 yards and 14 touchdowns with three interceptions, and he's rushed for 557 yards and seven TDs.
The talk: All six MSL West teams are either 2-1 or 1-2 in conference. Barrington was in the driver's seat before last week's 26-24 loss to a Palatine team Fremd defeated 49-19 the previous week.
Helfgot's pick: Barrington 37-28. Broncos rebounded nicely from loss to Palatine in 2014.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
