Before I move on...

...to the playoffs (and I'll have plenty to say about that -- surprised?), I have just a few final thoughts on the regular season, including Week 9, the one I didn't see. (As usual, all home teams in CAPS.)

No. 1 MAINE SOUTH 45, Glenbrook South 21

The Titans, as expected, finished the season 7-2 and are seeded No. 5 in the playoffs. GBS beat three winning teams during the regular season, only one on the road: Prospect (5-4), 34-10, EVANSTON (5-4), 26-7, and New Trier (6-3), 21-10. (The Titans host the Trevians in Round 1.) Their two losses were to MAINE SOUTH, of course, and STEVENSON (7-2), 17-7.

No. 2 Glenbard West 49, DOWNERS GROVE NORTH 7
YORK 41, Hinsdale Central 27

Why do I link these two games together? Because after I saw GLENBARD WEST beat York, 45-0, two weeks ago, I thought York had the worst offense I'd seen all season (with the possible exception of OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST, which the Hilltoppers beat, 41-6). Then the DUKES scored 41 points the next week against Hinsdale Central! What is going on here?, I thought. I went back and noticed that York scored 41 points against DOWNERS GROVE NORTH, 31 against PROVISO WEST, 54 against WILLOWBROOK, 39 against Hinsdale South, and 49 against ROLLING MEADOWS!

What's the moral of the story? Glenbard West is really good. They outscored their opponents this year, 352-50, including victories over WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH, 21-7, and ADDISON TRAIL, 14-0. Why can't they play in 8A? (Oops, I'm getting ahead of myself...)

No. 3 LOYOLA 34, No. 6 St. Rita 7

Loyola is good, very good. And they play in what could be the toughest conference in the state. But the Ramblers' offense scored only two touchdowns against Mount Carmel and St. Rita. They'll have to do better than that if they hope to finally beat Maine South this year (whom they should play in the semifinals, at home, on November 19).

No. 4 Lincoln-Way East 42, JOLIET WEST 7

Cary-Grove 22, No. 5 PRAIRIE RIDGE 21 (OT)

Were the Wolves overrated? Hardly. Cary-Grove finished the season 7-2, including a 10-7 victory over LAKE ZURICH. Look for the Wolves and the Trojans to meet up again in Round 3, if Cary-Grove can get past No. 3-seeded Nazareth. (Getting ahead of myself again.)

ADDISON TRAIL 20, No. 7 Downers Grove South 14

Downers Grove South, unlike Prairie Ridge, was overrated this year, defeating only two winning teams, Hinsdale South (5-4), 49-6, and LYONS (5-4), 28-0. Come on, Tribune, get it together!

No. 8 BOLINGBROOK 42, Lockport 17

Providence 24, No. 9 MOUNT CARMEL 18
 
This wasn't a great year for the Caravan (5-3). They only had two victories over winning teams: Brother Rice (6-3), 35-24, and Simeon (7-1), 23-14. (If Mount Carmel doesn't get beat by Hinsdale Central in the opening round, they surely will by Bolingbrook in the second.) 

MARIST 56, No. 14 Joliet Catholic 51

Why do I include this game? Because not only did the Redhawks' quarterback, Ian Woodworth (above), throw for 557 yards, but this was only a week after Marist (7-2) beat No. 13 Carmel (6-3), 64-63 in double overtime. (They also scored 52 points against MARIAN CATHOLIC and lost narrowly to Brother Rice, 34-31.) Why haven't I seen these guys play this year?

Marist opens the playoffs against Homewood-Flossmoor (6-3). Could be an excellent game.