Quarterfinal football preview capsules

Updated: November 9, 2011 7:11PM

Click the links to view the SouthtownStar football preview capsules or the Herald-News football preview capsules.

Class 8A

Downers South at Bolingbrook

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Outlook: A couple of dynamic offensive talents will be featured here: Josh Williams has rushed for 2,238 yards and 35 touchdowns for No. 11 Downers South (10-1), while junior quarterback Aaron Bailey has 2,228 yards of total offense with 31 touchdowns for No. 2 Bolingbrook (10-1). It’ll be the third straight home playoff game for the Raiders, who also have some big-time defenders including Florida-bound Antonio Morrison and Tevin Teamer (six interceptions).

Lyons at Loyola

When: noon

Outlook: Top-ranked Loyola (11-0) has a defense that has held eight opponents to a touchdown or less and an offense led by quarterback Malcolm Weaver (2,130 total yards, 25 touchdowns) and receiver Charlie Dowdle (42 catches, 561 yards, 10 touchdowns). No. 5 Lyons was 4-4 after a lopsided loss to Proviso West in Week 8, but has used a resurgent offense to win three straight. Jaime Jones is coming off a season-high 174-yard, five-touchdown effort in last week’s overtime win vs. Glenbrook South.

Class 7A

WW South at East St. Louis

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Outlook: No. 8 Wheaton Warrenville South (8-3) hasn’t been anywhere near as explosive as it was during the Reilly O’Toole years, but the Tigers’ defense has been airtight. End Jack Lipinsky and defensive back Zach Kyllonen were among those coming up with big plays in last week’s shutout of Lincoln-Way East. WW South’s defense will be tested by East St. Louis (9-2), whose playmakers include quarterback Lamontiez Ivy (1,782 yards, 15 touchdowns) and running backs Jeremy Nicholson and Natereace Strong.

Class 6A

Hubbard at Lemont

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Outlook: Hubbard (9-2), the only Public League team to reach the IHSA quarterfinals, got here by knocking off a pair of South Suburban Conference teams. The No. 24 Greyhounds, led by two-way star Quincy Skanes, now face their biggest test yet in another SSC foe: No. 4 Lemont (11-0). The Indians have five shutouts and their smallest margin of victory has been 21 points. Junior offensive tackle Ethan Pocic (6-foot-7, 285 pounds) already has numerous scholarship offers from the likes of Notre Dame, Wisconsin Illinois and Arizona.

Nazareth at Prairie Ridge

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Outlook: No. 3 Nazareth (10-1) has relied on a productive ground game most of the year, but got a season-high three touchdown passes from Sam Poulos in last week’s 24-0 shutout of Cary-Grove. The Roadrunners, who have won nine straight since a Week 2 loss to Carmel, face another Fox Valley Valley power in No. 10 Prairie Ridge (10-1). The Wolves, whose only loss was to Cary-Grove in overtime in Week 9, have three players with at least 700 rushing yards (Jordan Getzelman, Connor Greenwald, Nick Nissen). Nissen also has passed for 1,168 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Class 5A

Marian Central at Montini

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Outlook: This is a rematch of a Week 4 Suburban Christian Blue thriller in Woodstock won 21-20 by Marian Central. The No. 17 Hurricanes (11-0) are led by quarterback Chris Streveler (2,251 yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions) and receivers Scott Stochl, Nikko Theodorou and Kyle Thompson. For No. 20 Montini (9-2), quarterback John Rhode missed the earlier meeting with a thumb injury, but is back now and has arguably the state’s premier receiver to throw to: Nebraska-bound Jordan Westerkamp.

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