Nov. 06--No. 12 Mount Carmel at No. 2 Glenbard West
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Records: Mount Carmel 8-2, Glenbard West 10-0.
On the offensive: Both offenses are built to run, but these programs are elite for a reason, and they don't often get beat by a one-dimensional approach. Glenbard West QB Brian Cochrane (72-for-103, 1,278 yards, 15 TDs, 2 INTs) has made defenses pay for loading up on Sam Brodner (989 rushing yards, 29 TDs). Anthony Thompson (66-103, 812 yards, 6 TDs) has three quality receivers in Steve Wirtel, Jake Lenti and Alek Thomas.
Getting defensive: Linebacker Nico Gagliano (10 sacks, 14 TFLs) is having a huge season for a Glenbard West defense that's allowed 12 points per game. Phazione McClurge and the Mount Carmel secondary gave Glenbard North no hope for a comeback once the Caravan built a lead last week.
The number: 0
Previous playoff meetings between the state powers.
The talk: On paper, this would have been a great state championship game between two of Illinois' most successful playoff teams in the past decade. The winner becomes the favorite to emerge from the top half of the Class 7A bracket and play for the title in DeKalb.
Helfgot's pick: Glenbard West 28-24. Another second-half comeback at Duchon Field.
Stevenson at No. 1 Loyola
When: Noon Saturday.
Records: Loyola 10-0, Stevenson 7-3.
On the offensive: The Ramblers have a prolific QB in Emmett Clifford (1,866 passing yards, 27 TDs, 4 INTs), an 1,100-yard rusher in Dara Laja and a new wrinkle -- the Wildcat -- that Jake Marwede has used to rush for 112 yards on 13 carries. Stevenson's Jack Sorenson has 1,754 passing yards, and Henry Marchese is 47 receiving yards shy of 1,000.
Getting defensive: Loyola recorded its fourth shutout in the first round against West Aurora. Junior MLB Anthony Romano started the season as a backup and has emerged as the team's leading tackler. Stevenson has 11 interceptions in 10 games.
The number: 6
Consecutive postseason victories for Stevenson, the defending Class 8A champion.
The talk: These teams are meeting in the playoffs for the third straight year, and the first two went down to the wire. Loyola won 15-14 in the 2013 semifinals, and Stevenson pulled out a 24-21 victory in the second round last year. Stevenson hasn't been the same defensively this fall, but the Patriots have a knack for rising to the occasion.
Helfgot's pick: Loyola 34-17. Ramblers clinch eighth straight 11-win season.
No. 16 Lincoln-Way East at No. 3 Libertyville
When: 1 p.m. Saturday. TV: CSN.
Records: Lincoln-Way East 8-2, Libertyville 10-0.
On the offensive: Libertyville QB Riley Lees has followed last year's breakthrough with more staggering numbers: 1,655 rushing yards, 11.3 yards per carry and 29 TDs in addition to 1,255 passing yards and a 19-2 TD-INT ratio. East's Brandon Bauer has done a decent Lees impersonation, passing for 1,534 yards and 11 TDs and rushing for 571 and nine.
Getting defensive: East's pass rush has produced 27 sacks, eight by Ben Christensen, but keeping containment on Lees is probably more prudent than attacking him with reckless abandon. Kyle Buncic (two defensive TDs), Ben Kimpler (seven sacks) and the Libertyville 'D' yield 12 points per game and allowed 71 fewer than anyone else in the North Suburban Lake.
The number: 6,191
Lees' yards from scrimmage in two seasons as Libertyville's quarterback -- 3,454 rushing and 2,737 passing.
The talk: Did Downers Grove North expose something about Libertyville's defense last week that Lincoln-Way East and its powerful offensive line can exploit? Or were the Trojans' 24 first-half points a result of a triple-option offense Libertyville hadn't seen? The Wildcats pitched a second-half shutout and won 56-24.
Helfgot's pick: Libertyville 28-21. Close game will benefit Libertyville down the road.
No. 18 Batavia at No. 15 Simeon
When: 7 p.m. Friday at Gately Stadium.
Records: Batavia 9-1, Simeon 8-2.
On the offensive: Batavia is a tough team to prepare for because they present multiple formations and seem to run them all well. Kyle Niemiec has thrown for 2,229 yards and 18 TDs, and Zach Garrett has rushed for 1,022 and 15. William Oates leads Simeon's huge offensive line.
Getting defensive: Simeon plays fast and aggressive, which could make Batavia's offensive line the most important unit in this game. The Wolverines' pressure has made many an offense crumble. Batavia likes to rush the passer too. Derek Nutley has 14 1/2 of the Bulldogs' 47 sacks. Outside linebacker Chris Carey and the Wolverines' defense has allowed 12 points combined in their past three games.
The number: 15
Consecutive playoff appearances by Simeon. The Wolverines reached the semifinals for the first time last season, dropping a 35-28 thriller to Homewood-Flossmoor in Class 8A. Simeon is down to 7A this year for the first time since 2010.
The talk: The teams' respective schedules provide no basis for comparison except this: they both lost to the only Top 10 team they played. Simeon lost to No. 5 Philips 29-18 in Week 3, while No. 6 Naperville Central defeated Batavia 34-14 in Week 6.
Helfgot's pick: Simeon 30-28. Speed rules on the fast Gately track.
New Trier at No. 7 Homewood-Flossmoor
When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
Records: New Trier 9-1, H-F 9-1.
On the offensive: Homewood-Flossmoor has as many home-run hitters as any team in recent memory and a quarterback who rarely makes mistakes. Bryce Gray has attempted 146 passes and completed 61 percent of them, with 24 resulting in touchdowns and none intercepted. New Trier QB Clay Czyzynski (1,141 passing yards, 839 rushing) had a big game in the Trevians' 30-3 first-round victory over Lyons, but they may try to grind clock with fullback Max Rosenthal.
Getting defensive: Speed has been the calling card of a New Trier defense that hasn't allowed more than 24 points in a game, but this is a challenge like none other. LB Percy Walters has been Homewood-Flossmoor's top defensive playmaker. The Vikings have allowed 12 points per game.
The number: 10.06
Yards per carry for Homewood-Flossmoor's Harley-Hampton twins, Devonte and Deante. Their numbers are nearly identical, with Devonte rushing 107 times for 1,115 yards and 16 TDs and Deante posting a 104-1,009-16 line.
The talk: The question is no longer can H-F be slowed down, because Bolingbrook pulled off a 22-21 upset in the regular-season finale. But will it happen again? That loss may benefit H-F in the long run.
Helfgot's pick: Homewood-Flossmoor 44-21. On to Loyola.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
