As I reviewed the matchups in the nine second-round playoff football games involving area high schools, a thought occurred. Honestly, virtually every game can go either way.

If Oak Forest senior boys cross country standouts Ed McDaniel and Pathik Gandhi could turn the clock ahead to noon Saturday for the start of the IHSA Class 2A state championships, they would do so in a Peoria minute.

Perhaps the solitude generates the feeling. Run more than a few miles, and the mind can go blank. Stop, and the urge to reconnect with humanity is intense.

And then there was one. That’s all that’s left of the Elgin area football contingent going into the second round of the state football playoffs after St. Edward, South Elgin, St. Charles East and Huntley all saw their seasons end last weekend.