Like mirror images

Maine South quarterback Charlie Goro (left) has thrown for 37 TDs this season. Hinsdale Central’s John Whitelaw has rushed for 20 TDs and thrown for 17.
(Sun-Times News Group)

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CHAMPAIGN — After knocking off Downers Grove South, Bolingbrook, Brother Rice and Mount Carmel, Hinsdale Central coach Mike DiMatteo asked,

‘‘Who’s next, the Bears?’’

Actually, it will be the Hawks. The Red Devils will be playing in their first football state championship game Saturday at Memorial Stadium against top-rated Maine South and Sun-Times Player of the Year Charlie Goro.

Both DiMatteo and Hawks’ coach Dave Inserra might think they are looking in a mirror when they watch film of their opponent for the Class 8A title.

‘‘These kids have done everything we asked and the right way,” DiMatteo said. ‘‘It hasn’t been easy, but it isn’t supposed to be.’’

Goro runs the spread, is an underrated runner (501 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns) and is throwing the ball with record accuracy (224-for-301, 74.4 percent for 3,039 and 37 touchdowns).

Hinsdale quarterback John Whitelaw runs the spread. He is an underrated runner (1,174 yards and 20 touchdowns) and he has completed 126-of-216 throws (58.3 percent) for 1,984 yards and 17 touchdowns.

‘‘He’s a left-handed Jon Budmayr,” analyst Tim O’Halloran said, comparing Whitelaw to Marian Central’s Wisconsin-bound quarterback, who broke his collarbone in the first game this fall.

‘‘He [Whitelaw] is extremely athletic,” Maine South coach Dave Inserra said. ‘‘He is fast, aggressive, tough and throws the ball very well. They have a great scheme and a good running back [Rich Zajeski] whose return [from an ankle injury] put them were they were predicted. The lines are similar.

‘‘Charlie was 21-of-29 against Bartlett and some people were upset. He made plays out of nothing.’’

Whitelaw has spent a long time as part of the Hinsdale program. He was a ball boy for the 2002 team that lost a heartbreaking semifinal to eventual state champion Lockport 41-38. His brother Andrew was a defensive back.

Goro has also grown up with his program since junior high school and said, ‘‘I couldn’t wait to put on a Hawks’ uniform.”

Both teams have a running back who can take it to the house. Maine South’s Matt Perez has gained 1,026 yards on 132 carries (7.8 yards per carry) and scored 19 touchdowns. Hinsdale Central’s Zajeski has 906 yards on 89 carries (10.2 yards per carry) with 10 touchdowns.

Zajeski missed almost a month with a high ankle sprain before returning for the Bolingbrook game in the second round of the state playoffs.

‘‘[Perez] has meant so much throughout the whole year,’’ Goro said. ‘‘Whenever we need a big play, someone to step up, he’s usually the guy who does it.’’

Goro’s options include receivers Joey Orlando, Sam Chwarzynski and John Alviti. Whitelaw’s are Alex Kirk and Mick Culligan.

Both have undersized and underrated defenses that have made a difference in the playoffs. Maine South has lineman Zach Timm and linebackers Nick Catino and Corby Ryan. Hinsdale has nose tackle Pat Clegg and linebackers Brendan Sullivan and Mike Rogowski.

‘‘Our defense has gotten very little love, but they have made a difference,” Inserra said. ‘‘Zach Timm is an outstanding high school player who understands the system. Our defense has to be disciplined. We can’t be guessing with the option. We need to trust our schemes. We know that the option makes you stay where you are supposed to be.’’

Both have kickers that have been difference-makers. Orlando had a game-winning field goal against Glenbrook South in the Hawks’ only close game. Hinsdale’s David Lutz has tried only three field goals in high school. The first, against Brother Rice, was blocked just before halftime. The next two were game-winners.

‘‘Joey only comes off the field on kickoffs,” Inserra said. ‘‘We ask a lot, but he’s a pressure kid.’’

The Class 8A game is the only one that guarantees a Chicago-area winner. The other five finalists — Geneva, Lemont, St. Francis, Aurora Christian and Immaculate Conception — will face teams from around the state.