Let's cut to the chase...

...in 8A: Maine South, led by quarterback Matt Alviti (who visited Notre Dame last week), should repeat as champions (sorry Rambler fans). After defeating either Stevenson or York, and probably Palatine, the Hawks will beat -- once again -- Loyola in the semifinals. The Ramblers will have defeated Evanston (again) and Glenbrook South before falling to their nemesis from Park Ridge.

In the other bracket, Homewood-Flossmoor is my dark horse to make the semifinals, in which they will lose to Bolingbrook after the Raiders defeat Sandburg. (All three of these teams -- as well as Lincoln-Way East -- are from the Southwest Suburban Conference, which I think is one of the very best in the state.)

P. S. Mike Helfgot of the Trib has a really good piece on the 8A bracket here. My only problem is with Mount Carmel. I've seen them play three times this year (against Simeon, Loyola and St. Rita) and they are just not your father's Caravan. I expect them to go down early.

To sum it all up:

In the 6A finals, it's Prairie Ridge over Lemont;
in 7A, it will be Glenbard West over Lincoln-Way East; and
in 8A, I'll pick Maine South over Bolingbrook.

Enjoy the games!