Football: Herald-News semifinal football preview capsules

Updated: November 17, 2011 7:03PM

Class 8A

No. 2 Bolingbrook (11-1) at No. 9 Naperville Central (9-3)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: Bolingbrook would play Loyola or Glenbard North at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 in Champaign.

The rundown: Bolingbrook has knocked off three quality opponents in the playoffs: Neuqua Valley 33-14, Mount Carmel 21-7 and Downers Grove South 47-19. Naperville Central, after a 6-3 regular season, has rolled over Minooka 40-13, Belleville East 43-3 and Homewood-Flossmoor 42-14 in the postseason. The Redhawks, who took advantage of six H-F turnovers last week, have averaged 40.6 points over the last five games and always play solid defense. RB Matt Randolph is the main weapon offensively, and senior QB Ian Lewandowski has used the play-action passing game effectively in the postseason. Bolingbrook’s offense has been rolling behind junior QB Aaron Bailey, who rushed for 220 yards and five touchdowns last week, when Bolingbrook led Downers Grove South 47-3 before the Mustangs scored two late consolation touchdows. The Raiders’ defense, fast and strong, has been effective all season. Bolingbrook is making a 10th straight playoff appearance but first visit to the semifinals in coach John Ivlow’s 10 years at the helm. The Raiders last played in a state championship game in 1993.

Prediction: Bolingbrook 27, Naperville Central 20

Class 6A

No. 1 Lemont (12-0) at No. 5 Peoria Richwoods (9-3)

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: Lemont would play Batavia or Prairie Ridge at 1 p.m. Nov. 26 at in Champaign.

The rundown: The Peoria Richwoods team that dropped its first three games, including a 63-34 loss to Joliet Catholic in Week 3, is long gone. The new and improved Knights have been especially impressive in the postseason, beating Normal Community 45-10, Crete-Monee 51-36 and then going into Danville for the quarterfinals and holding on 20-19. The offensive backfield is Richwoods’ strength, with quick FB Kendrick Foster a key, though the Knights will mix in some passing off play action. Lemont’s outstanding defense, coming off a 29-0 win over Hubbard where it limited the Greyhounds to minus-23 yards of total offense, must deal with Richwoods’ quickness. The shutout of Hubbard was the Indians’ sixth, a school record. Lemont averages 40.6 points and has not been held below 21. RB Mike Anzalone consistently has chewed up yardage and the passing combo of QB Damon Aleman to WR Tyler Jay has been clicking. Coach Eric Michaelsen’s team is bidding for a third title game appearance in the last five years. The Indians dropped title games in 2007 and ’08 and lost their quarterfinals the past two seasons.

Prediction: Lemont 34, Peoria Richwoods 22

Class 5A

No. 1 Sacred Heart-Griffin (12-0)
at No. 4 Joliet Catholic (10-2)

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday at ATI Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium

Championship game: Joliet Catholic would play Montini or Kaneland at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 in Champaign.

The rundown: Some high school football playoff games can be victims of overhype, but not this one. For starters, Sacred Heart-Griffin is averaging 45.5 points and allowing 9.4 while Joliet Catholic averages 47.7 and allows 16.0. The Cyclones, who beat rival Chatham Glenwood last week 25-10 and have not been challenged all season except for two meetings with Glenwood, put up staggering numbers passing and running from their spread formation. QB Pat Smith has had an outstanding season throwing to big, physical receivers, and RBs Chris Harris and Tavion Whitaker are excellent. Joliet Catholic counters with Division I WBs Ty Isaac and Malin Jones. Isaac has rushed for 1,900 yards, is averaging 11.9 per carry and has broken the school record for a season with 41 touchdowns. He also has caught 16 passes from junior QB Craig Slowik for 360 yards, a 22.5 average. Jones, a defensive standout at safety/outside linebacker, has rushed for 1,284 yards, an 8.6 average. The teams last met in the 2003 Class 5A championship game, with Joliet Catholic winning 24-21.

Prediction: Joliet Catholic 38, Sacred Heart-Griffin 35

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