The Game of the Week...

Wide receiver Nic Weishar of Marist.

...is a toss-up, between Mount Carmel (4-0) at Brother Rice (3-1) and Joliet Catholic (3-1) at Marist (4-0). The good news? The games will be about two miles apart. So, if you choose the wrong one and it's lopsided at the half, you can drive over to the other one. (Although I'd recommend you ride your bike; parking will be at a premium.)

Don't like that answer? Then go see Ty Isaac, arguably the best running back in the state (if he's healthy) play at Marist, the best Catholic school in Illinois. (Sorry, Caravan fans, but you've got to beat somebody to get respect.) Marist beat St. Rita, Brother Rice, Nazareth, and -- okay -- St. Patrick (MaxPreps has the Shamrocks at No. 49). Mount Carmel beat -- again -- St. Patrick, Morgan Park, De La Salle and St. Joseph. (Not exactly a Murderers' Row.)

But the Mount Carmel - Brother Rice game should reveal which team is the Real Deal. (Maybe both; who knows?) What do I think? The Caravan will defeat the Crusaders on the road. Why? Because everyone at Brother Rice has been taught since they were two years old that Mount Carmel is the better team.

As for that other contest, in Mount Greenwood, the home team should defeat Joliet Catholic. Marist is the Real Deal this year and Isaac is probably not at 100 percent just yet.

Now, don't feel like traveling down to the Southwest Side of the city on a Friday afternoon? What, you don't like spending two hours in a car? (That's strange.) I have more good news for you: there are a lot of other good games this weekend.

If you live out west:

Wheaton Warrenville South (2-2) is at Naperville Central (2-2) on Friday night. Don't let those records fool you; both of these teams will be tough come playoff time.

And on Saturday, Oak Park River Forest (3-1) is at Glenbard West (4-0). Now, I wouldn't normally recommend this game (I saw the Hilltoppers crush the Huskies in Oak Park last year), but people are touting OPRF this year (hope springs eternal), and Duchon Field is a great place to see a game, so -- what the heck -- go check it out if you have nothing better to do. (And, really, what could possibly be better than watching a high school football game on a Saturday afternoon?)

If you live in the southwest suburbs:

Homewood-Flossmoor (3-1) is at Bolingbrook (4-0) and Lincoln-Way East (4-0) is at Sandburg (4-0). Come on, guys, don't wreck it for me! I want to see both teams undefeated when I drive down to Frankfort on the 28th to see the rematch between the Raiders and the Griffins. (Lincoln-Way East spoiled Bolingbrook's perfect season last year -- on the road!) This one could be the Game of the Year. Don't blow it!

If you live way south, there's Lemont (4-0) at Oak Forest (4-0).

If you live in the northwest suburbs, there's Conant (3-1) at Schaumburg (4-0).

And if you live in the way northwest suburbs, Jacobs (3-1) will be at Cary-Grove (4-0). Do I smell an upset?

Oh, and I almost forgot, Carmel (1-3) will be at Nazareth (2-2) on Saturday. Now, I know what you're thinking: consolation game. Maybe; but these are two perennially good teams. And Valenta Stadium in La Grange Park is another great place to see a game. I'd be there if I didn't have other plans.