Marshall plan: Hillcrest ready

Hillcrest coach Earnest Sutton has no explanation for his 5-4 team drawing another 5-4 team in Marshall in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs.

He's just happy it happened.

"We had to do a couple of double takes," said Sutton, whose Hawks beat Tinley Park in Week 9 to qualify. "I don't know how it happened. We're just happy to be in and we want to take advantage of this opportunity. The flip-side is we still have to go out and win the game."

Part of the challenge includes having to travel to Hanson Stadium on the West Side of Chicago on Halloween night.

Asked what he knows about Marshall, Sutton said, "I know they're on the west side and (girls basketball coach) Dorothy Gaters is a legend."

Then the Bremen graduate turned serious.

"From what I've seen, Marshall is an athletic team and likes to run the wishbone (offense)," Sutton said. "We've seen a lot of what they like to run. They're a playoff team, 5-4 just like we are. We hope to be able to go into their place and beat them."

For that to occur, Hillcrest QB/DB Herb Offord will need a big game. So will RBs Morgan Weaver and Jamison Wilson. The Hawks would do themselves a huge favor by creating some turnovers, something they did during Friday's 27-20 win against Tinley Park. Aaron Carr's fumble recovery set up Hillcrest's second touchdown.

"The kids responded against Tinley Park," Sutton said. "Our kids played well. Now we hope to carry that over against Marshall."

Warriors not intimidated by Joliet Catholic

So how was Crete-Monee rewarded for its season-ending, six-game winning streak?

With a Class 6A first-round match-up with Joliet Catholic. Again.

The Warriors absorbed a 50-26 defeat to JCA a year ago. It was a 29-20 game heading into the final quarter.

"We had an inkling we would draw them again," said coach Jerry Verde, whose Warriors won the SICA South. "It's what we kind of expected."

But those expecting a similar result Friday night might be in for a surprise.

Crete-Monee possesses difference-makers in QB Justin Roudez and RB Brian Hatwood, and some size in Brad Wiater and Gary Young.

"The kids are really, really excited to play JCA again," Verde said. "We ran out of gas last year in the fourth quarter. We just couldn't stop their offense. We feel a lot better this year. We have a lot of respect for JCA, but we know we can do more than compete with them."

With a nonconference slate that included undefeated Rock Island, Crystal Lake South and Thornton - each a playoff team - Verde is confident his team is prepared.

"We retooled a lot of what we do after last year," Verde said. "We're a lot more physical and our schedule should have us prepared better."

Rockets rebound impressively

After suffering two consecutive losses, Rich East coach Barry Reade was pleased to see his team return to the victory column and gain some much-needed momentum heading into the Class 6A playoffs.

The Rockets blistered Rich South 41-14 behind Reggie Byrd, who rushed for 280 yards and four touchdowns.

"We performed a lot better than we had the previous two weeks," said Reade, referring to losses against Crete-Monee and Kankakee.

"Our execution was much better. We made some mistakes in our two losses, but we played two playoff teams. We just had to get back to the basics of blocking and tackling better."

The Rockets will travel to Oswego on Friday.

"Oswego is a very solid team," Reade said. "They run the football very well and they have some size on the lines. They prefer to control the clock. But we have to focus on what we do well and not be so concerned about what they do. You have to go with what got you to the dance. We'll have a few surprises possibly."

Pat Disabato can be reached at pdisabato@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8837.