It's down to the the Final Four - or eight, 16 or 32, depending on how many classes you are following en route to Champaign. Anyways, as promised, here is a special Saturday semifinal edition of Break it Down. (Please note: the Crystal Lake South-Geneva game was on Friday.)
Class 8A
The Class 8A semifinals are ultimately a quarterbacks showcase: Charlie Goro of Maine South, Josh Hasenberg of Bartlett, Jordan Lynch of Mount Carmel and John Whitelaw of Hinsdale Central.
* Maine South vs. Bartlett at Streamwood: For those staying in the warmth of the their homes on Saturday night, this matchup of Hawks will be televised live starting at 7 p.m on Ch. 50.
Goro, the Sun-Times Player of the Year, has totaled 47 touchdowns (10 rushing) so far this season. He leads an offense that is best described as a "juggernaut." The difference this season as compared to other successful Maine South campaigns is running back Matt Perez, a quick, but bruising runner capable of breaking long gains. Maine South has rolled through the playoffs, and its defense is quicker than some may think.
Of the four aforementioned quarterbacks, Hasenberg is probably the least well-known. Nonetheless, Bartlett's gunslinger has put together quite the season with 2,031 yards and 20 touchdown passes. Bartlett's road to the semis has been tougher than Maine South's, with a 10-7 first-round win over Notre Dame, a 21-7 victory over Fremd in the second round and a 38-35 shootout win over Schaumburg in the quarterfinals. Hasenberg, though, was instrumental in all three.
* Mount Carmel at Hinsdale Central: It's the veer option vs. the spread -- and both are high-scoring. The difference may come down to which defense comes up with the most stops. Mount Carmel had no problems stopping Marist's spread offense last week, but Whitelaw poses a different threat because he can pull it down and run - and run fast.
Lynch operates the veer option to perfection for the Caravan, which also has plenty of playmakers on its defense with Anthony Battle Jr., Jeremy Johnson and Dimitrius Carr. Adonis Filer stood out against Marist.
The only team that has been able slow down - if not completely stall - the high-powered Red Devils this season is 7A semifinalist Glenbard West.
(I've had a chance to meet and talk to all four 8A starting quarterbacks. They are all very well-spoken and team-oriented, often deflecting any praise they receive by highlighting teammates for their contributions.)
Class 7A
A lot of readers are touting the overall speed and athleticism of East St. Louis. But readers (and the Flyers) shouldn't look past Glenbard West, which has some fleet-footed players of its own, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Sure, the talent on East St. Louis is well-documented, from Division I receivers in Terry Hawthorne and Kraig Appleton to a talented quarterback in Detchauz Wray to speedster in the backfield in Courtney Molton. But the Hilltoppers aren't too shabby either.
The Flyers will face a Hilltoppers' defense -- a swarming attack set in the very adaptive 3-5-3 scheme -- that has allowed only 21 points in three playoff games. Glenbard West also hasn't allowed more than 14 points in a game all season.
On Saturday, expect the Hilltoppers to disguise their coverages and blitzes. Glenbard West's leaders on defense are defensive ends Theo Odom (23 sacks) and Pat Loveless (15 sacks) and linebacker Garrett Richards (123 tackles). On offense, expect Glenbard West to turn to running backs Bryant Venson and Robert Cook.
Class 6A
* Antioch at Lemont: Antioch has been one of the better stories of the season, considering it finished 3-6 in 2007 and was winless in 2006. The Sequoits, who are making their first semifinal appearance, are led by running back/kick returner Cameron White, a Sun-Times All-Area selection.
Unlike Antioch, Lemont has been here before. It was just last year that the Indians played for a state title. Lemont was knocked off by Joliet Catholic 49-7 in the 6A championship last season. Running back Danny Hayes, lineman Trevor Rothstein (an All-Area player) and quarterback Nick Lawrence lead the Indians on offense.
The game may very well be decided, though, on how well Lemont's defense -- led by linebackers Connor Nagel and Ryam Fejedelem -- contain Antioch's offense, which has scored 35 or more points eight times this season, including 62- and 68-point efforts.
* Sacred Heart-Griffin at Providence: It's the pass (Sacred-Heard Griffin) against the run (Providence). The Cylones are led by quarterback Tim Dondanville, who has completed 130-of-181 passes for 2,378 yards and 26 touchdowns against five interceptions. (I had chance to see the Cyclones in the summer at a 7-on-7 competition, and let me just say this: They are fast -- albeit it was nice and sunny outside, and they weren't wearing any pads. But they were definitely quick.)
But whereas Sacred Heart-Griffin can score, Providence can defend. The Celtics stopped high-scoring Rock Island last week and beat state power Joliet Catholic in the second round. As a result, Providence is the first team in state history to finish last in its conference and reach the semifinals. Expect the Celtics to turn to Tim Hanrahan, who has rushed for more than 1,800 yards this year, often, in order to keep the ball out of Sacred Heart-Griffin's hands.
5 to 2 quick questions
5A: Kankakee at St. Francis: Can the Kays slow down St. Francis running backs Mark Kachmer and Stan Bobowski?
4A: Aurora Christian at Richmond-Burton: Is there a better way for record-setting Aurora Christian quarterback Jordan Roberts to finish his career than with an appearance in the state title game?
2A: Immaculate Conception at Clifton Central: Is the Knights' Suburban Catholic Conference schedule tougher than its road through the 2A playoffs?
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