The second round...

...of the Illinois high school football playoffs is what usually separates the very good teams from the merely good. This year was no exception.

In 8A, as expected, Maine South topped Leyden, 34-16, and Glenbrook South dominated Proviso West, 44-6, to set up a rematch of these two Central Suburban South rivals. This is the first time since 1995 that the Titans have advanced to the third round and, unless Coach Noll has figured out a way to stop Matt Perez, they will not see a fourth.

Meanwhile, Mt. Carmel beat Stevenson, 23-16, and Loyola defeated Warren, 21-7, to set up another intra-conference rematch. (I knew a team called Mt. Carmel would remain in the playoffs; I just picked the wrong one.) As good as Loyola's season has been, I just don't see the Ramblers beating the Caravan twice in one year. Incidentally, all four of the teams that the Catholic Blue Conference sent to the post-season are still alive.

In 7A, St. Rita beat Marian Catholic, 34-14, to earn the right to be Wheaton-Warrenville's next conquest. (The Mustangs' star running back, Jahwon Akui, left the game with another injury this weekend.) Also, East St. Louis eliminated Minooka, 48-20, and Glenbard West defeated Hononegah, 27-14.

In 6A (and by the way, what's with the A? Is that really necessary?), Providence took care of Oswego, 16-10, and will now make Crete-Monee their next victim. Cary-Grove beat Highland Park, 48-28, and should now make light work out of Mayor Daley's alma mater, De La Salle, which beat Crystal Lake South, 33-20. And Marmion's season came to a halt as the Cadets were defeated by Prairie Ridge, 31-7.

As for 5A, all you need to know is that Joliet Catholic beat Cahokia, 35-12, and will now upset No. 2-seed Washington on their way to the championship.

4A has been notoriously difficult to forecast, and that goes part of the way to explain why I went 0-for-4 this weekend. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.) Better to just not dwell on it any further.

I'll close with just two final predictions. In 2A, Moweaqua will defeat Maroa-Forsyth because the post-season needs at least one school whose name is hard to pronounce. And in 1A, Triopia will win in a rout over Routt.