Today's playoffs will get underway...

...with No. 5 Glenbrook South (8-2), led by running back Kevin Schroeder, above, traveling to No. 13 Lyons Township (6-4). A Titan victory would set up a great quarterfinal game against No. 1 Loyola (10-0), whom I expect will easily handle No. 9 Dunbar (7-3) at Gately.

Tonight No. 7 Mount Carmel (7-3) should go down at No. 2 Bolingbrook (9-1), No. 2 Maine South (10-0) will defeat host No. 7 Stevenson (8-2), and No. 3 Palatine (9-1) will best No. 11 Glenbard North (7-3) to round out 8A.

In 7A, No. 5 East St. Louis (8-2) will run all over No. 4 Oswego (8-2), No. 8 Lake Zurich (8-2) -- in another great contest -- will bow to No. 1 Glenbard West (10-0), No. 4 Elk Grove (9-1) will beat No. 5 Machesney Park Harlem (9-1) -- again, who? -- and No. 7 Wheaton North (8-2) will upset No. 2 Rockford Boylan (10-0).

6A could feature the best games of the day as No. 8 Lake Forest (8-2) shocks No. 1 Batavia (10-0) -- again, am I crazy? No. 1 Crete-Monee (10-0) should have an easy victory over No. 5 Peoria Richwoods (7-3) as will No. 2 Prairie Ridge (9-1) at No. 10 Glenbard South (7-3). And -- it pains me to say this -- No. 6 Cary-Grove (8-2) will end No. 3 Nazareth's (9-1) Cinderella run.

Finally, in 5A, No. 6 Montini (8-2) will -- yawn -- eliminate No. 3 Sterling (9-1).