Bolingbrook hosts Homewood-Flossmoor...

...Friday night in what should be the first of three (and only three) serious tests for the Raiders in the regular season. (How can the defending Class 8A champions play only three tough opponents?)

So far, the Brook has crushed Plainfield South, 33-6 (1-3 and ranked No. 221 by MaxPreps), Romeoville, 46-10 (0-4, No. 361), Joliet Central, 54-6 (0-4, No. 438) and Joliet West, 44-12 (1-3, No. 256).

After they face Homewood-Flossmoor (3-1, No. 17) this week, the Raiders travel to Lincoln-Way East (4-0, No. 1) and then host Sandburg (4-0, No. 52). That's as tough a three-game stretch as anyone has in the state.

But then Bolingbrook finishes the regular season with Lincoln-Way Central (1-3, No. 180) and Lockport (1-3, No. 291).

So the Raiders play only three winning teams before the postseason. Wow!

Homewood-Flossmoor (3-1, No. 17), on the other hand, has been tested twice this year, against Stevenson (3-1, No. 21), whom the Vikings defeated, 35-27, and Lincoln-Way East (4-0, No. 1), whom they fell to, 35-20. H-F's other two victories came against Marian Catholic (0-4, No. 201), 35-7, and Lincoln-Way Central (1-3, No.180), 21-17.

Who's going to win Friday night? Well, recent history isn't all that much help since H-F coach Craig Buzea has only been at the helm for two years. (The Vikings were 1-8 the year before he arrived.) So anything before 2010 can be considered ancient history. But here's a recap anyway (home team in CAPS):

2011: Bolingbrook 41, HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR 28
2010: Homewood-Flossmoor 19, BOLINGBROOK 6

B.C. (Before Craig):

2009: Bolingbrook 42, HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR 6
*
2007: Homewood-Flossmoor 20, BOLINGBROOK 17
2006: Bolingbrook 21, HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR 18
2005: BOLINGBROOK 28, Homewood-Flossmoor 7

So, again, who's going to win Friday night? Bolingbrook, of course. Despite my frustration with their schedule, I can't deny that they are one of the very best teams in Illinois.

I saw the Brook four times last year, against Lincoln-Way East, Mount Carmel, Downers Grove South and Naperville Central. (Five, if you count watching the Raiders beat Loyola in the 8A finals on TV.) And everything you've heard about them is true. Aaron Bailey is one of the most talented high school quarterbacks I've ever seen, their offensive line is huge, their defense is speedy and, from what I understand, their running backs (a weak spot last year) are much improved. These guys probably are the best team in the state.

And I can't wait for that game against Lincoln-Way East!