For starters, Buffalo Grove (6-0) is still, amazingly, undefeated after besting Elk Grove (0-6), 44-7. The Bison, above, must now face another one of my Mag 7 schools, Hersey (5-1), in Arlington Heights this Friday. But even if they lose, Buffalo Grove is still guaranteed a playoff berth and could very well end up with a 7-2 record if they beat Wheeling (1-5) in Week Eight. But what if these guys end up 8-1 or even 9-0? Wouldn't that be something?
Hersey (5-1) blanked Wheeling last Thursday, 35-0, to all but assure it of a postseason appearance. Even if they lose this week to Buffalo Grove, the Huskies face Prospect (1-5) in Week Nine which would give them at least six victories on the year. Like the Bison, Hersey is now playing for a good bracket seed.
Glenbrook South (5-1) also won last week, shutting out Niles West, 40-0. You would think that would seal the deal for the Titans, but they will likely run into a buzzsaw this Friday against Maine South (5-1), whom they haven't beaten since I was a little boy (or at least it seems that way). After that comes Evanston (3-3) on the road and New Trier (4-2) at home. I assume they can manufacture a win out of at least one of those two remaining games, but even at 5-4 GBS should make the playoffs. If nothing else, it's a heck of an improvement over last year's disastrous 1-8 finish.
Thornton (4-2) had a mixed week after they had to forfeit their Week One game against Andrew (5-1) but before defeating Thornwood (0-6), 12-8. (How many "Thorns" are there anyway?) The Wildcats have three tough remaining games -- all at home, at least -- against Lincoln-Way West (4-2), Bolingbrook (5-1) and Lincoln-Way Central (5-1). If Thornton can't find at least one victory in the last three weeks of the season they'll really wish they had that win over Andrew back. Wouldn't it be a bummer if that forfeit cost them a trip to the Dance?
LaSalle-Peru (4-2) took care of business against Ottawa (1-5), 17-7, and will face Geneseo (3-3) this week. That could be a tough game as the Maple Leafs always seem to go deep in the playoffs, don't they? But after another challenging opponent in Rochelle (4-2) -- on the road, no less -- the Cavaliers host Yorkville (1-5) in the regular season finale. That should give LP at least a 5-4 record, if not 6-3, and send them to the postseason for the first time since 2009.
Crystal Lake Central (4-2) took it on the chin against Jacobs (4-2) last week, 35-18, and have to travel to Huntley (5-1) this Friday for an almost certain defeat. That makes the Tigers' Week Seven matchup against Dundee-Crown (1-5) at home a must-win as they still have to play Cary-Grove (4-2) in the last game of the season. CLC should eke out a 5-4 record, though, and the opportunity to play a tenth game.
Finally, Stagg (4-2) fell to Lincoln-Way Central (5-1), 57-14, which really puts the pressure on this week's game against Sandburg (2-4). If the Chargers don't win and lose out to Lincoln-Way West (4-2) and Moline (4-2) -- a distinct possibility -- their impressive 4-1 start will have been all for naught. But I'm going to say that the Palos Hills squad defeats Pat Fitzgerald's alma mater this Friday. In fact, at this point I think all seven of my Mag 7 programs will be in the playoffs. Yeah, you read it here first.
No comments:
Post a Comment