Oct. 23--No. 11 Mount Carmel at No. 2 Loyola
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Records: Mount Carmel 7-1, Loyola 8-0.
On the offensive: The best Loyola offense in memory put up another 56 points last week behind typically big games from QB Emmett Clifford (1,539 passing yards, 25 TDs, 1 INT), Thomas Smart (37 catches, 508 yards, 9 TDs) and RB Dara Laja (857 yards, 13 TDs), the school's all-time leading rusher. Mount Carmel's strategy never changes: keep the other offense on the sideline with long, methodical possessions.
Getting defensive: A role-reversal in Wilmette has Loyola's defense overshadowed by the other side of the ball. Ben Leroy has eight sacks and tackles for losses and Jack Hough has 10 TFLs. Mount Carmel hasn't played a Catholic Blue game since its 31-14 loss to Brother Rice in Week 6, and it will need a better performance out of its secondary to stop Clifford and Co.
The number: 64
Tackles for loss recorded the Loyola defense. That's an average of eight negative plays by the opposition per game.
The talk: Is this John Holecek's best Loyola team? The Ramblers were the Class 8A runner-up in 2011 and '13, won at least 11 games each of the past seven seasons and are 104-24 overall since Holecek became head coach in 2006.
Helfgot's pick: Loyola 41-14. All signs point to a rare blowout in this rivalry.
Marist at No. 10 Joliet Catholic
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Records: Marist 5-3, Joliet Catholic 7-1.
On the offensive: Tyler Witt, Ze'Veyon Furcron and the Joliet Catholic offensive line will look to re-establish dominance at the point of attack after the Hilltoppers' ground game was held in check for the first time all season last week against Benet. Marist is up to its usual high-scoring histrionics behind QB Brendan Skalitzky.
Getting defensive: It's no coincidence that JCA's best defensive games have been those in which they've run the ball most effectively. Bill Rotnicki and Luke Phelan have been playmakers for the Hilltoppers' D. Marist is used to high-scoring games, but the Redhawks will have to regroup quickly after giving up 62 to Nazareth last week.
The number: 17
Undefeated regular seasons by Joliet Catholic, including 13 in the playoff era and a 5-0 mark in 1926. The last came in 2005. Benet ruined No. 18 with a 24-21 upset last week.
The talk: Joliet Catholic looked invincible through six-and-a-half games before narrowly avoiding an epic collapse against Nazareth in Week 7 and losing to Benet last week.
Helfgot's pick: Joliet Catholic 57-48. Routine Marist game.
Glenbard North at Neuqua Valley
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Records: Glenbard North 6-2, Neuqua Valley 6-2.
On the offensive: Glenbard North's offensive line has developed into a machine over the course of the season, and they form a scary combination with running backs Devion Hodges and Vittorio Tricase. Neuqua also benefits from strong line play courtesy of Tommy Cwiok, A.J. Cwiok, Michael Peterson, Joe Backe and Jake Zeiler.
Getting defensive: Neuqua got hurt up front in last week's surprise loss to Lake Park, and the Wildcats are going to need to find solutions against the most potent ground game in the DuPage Valley Conference. Glenbard North DB Greg Newsome (5 INTs) will keep tabs on Neuqua's standout receiver, Isaiah Robertson.
The number: 0
Touchdowns allowed by Glenbard North's first-string defense the past four games. The Panthers have allowed 68 points all season.
The talk: Close, low-scoring losses to Naperville Central and Waubonsie Valley in the first two weeks of the season kept Glenbard North out of the rankings and under the radar, but the Panthers have quietly become an excellent team. A Class 7A title could be within their reach.
Helfgot's pick: Glenbard North 30-13. Forget rankings, this is one of the top teams in Illinois.
Lincoln-Way West at No. 14 Lincoln-Way North
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday.
Records: Lincoln-Way West 7-1, Lincoln-Way North 8-0.
On the offensive: North runs well and often with Joe Peters (853 rushing yards) and Jaylin Branch (735), and quarterback Jake Arthur keeps the offense from being one-dimensional. He had a big game against Lincoln-Way Central last week. With two Division I offensive linemen (Justin Witt and Bryan Brokop) providing the muscle, West has been just as hard to stop. Gabe Montalvo has 22 TDs and nearly 1,400 rushing yards.
Getting defensive: Linebacker Dave Lux is having a big season for a North defense that came up big in the second half last week. West has been tough defensively since its 35-28 loss to Thornton in Week 5.
The number: 1
Regular-season game left for Lincoln-Way North. As in ever. The doors are closing for good at the end of the school year.
The talk: There's something special about a 9-0 season regardless of what happens in the playoffs. Lincoln-Way North's players have a unique opportunity to leave a legacy for a program that will only exist in memories.
Helfgot's pick: Lincoln-Way North 26-24. What did you expect?
Evanston at Maine South
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Records: Evanston 6-2, Maine South 6-2.
On the offensive: Evanston has been on a roll, averaging 44 points in the three games since its 14-12 loss to New Trier. Receiver Tray Banks (35 catches, 566 yards, 16 total TDs) has been one of the area's most explosive players. Maine South QB Brian Collis has found a groove as well. He threw for 325 yards and four TDs while connecting with seven receivers in last week's victory over Niles West.
Getting defensive: Banks and Micquel Roseman, Evanston's top threats on offense, are also playmaking DBs who will be hungry for turnovers against Maine South's potent offense. Nick Sajenko, Matt Schneider and the Maine South secondary aim to prevent the big plays the Wildkits have enjoyed most of the season.
The number: 74
Maine South's Central Suburban South winning streak.
The talk: Maine South survived close calls against Glenbrook South and New Trier to keep its 15-year conference streak going. The Hawks have one last tough test in the way of extending that streak one more year.
Helfgot's pick: Maine South 31-21. Fool me once. ...
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
