Key for L-Way Central? Balance

After showing some inconsistencies during its three-game losing streak, Lincoln-Way Central looked like a well-oiled machine and returned to the victory column with a 34-7 victory Friday against Lockport.

John Mahoney was only provided with nine attempts to carry the football and made the most of the opportunities, registering a whopping 207 yards and three TDs for the Knights.

QB Kyle Plarski was a model of consistency, completing 6 of 9 passes for 104 yards and a TD.

Chase Davis and Pete Damiani, who were spectacular during the Knights four-game winning streak early in the season, need to revert back to being difference-makers.

If the Knights (5-3) are going to make a run in the Class 8A playoffs, they will certainly need to exhibit a similar balanced, mistake-free attack more often.

Central ends the regular season with a road show against Joliet Township and must be careful not to slip.

Why?

It's more beneficial to enter the postseason with a 6-3 mark and potentially face an 8-1 or 7-2 opponent than being 5-4 and being handed a potential 9-0 powerhouse.

Central needs to depart Joliet with a win Friday night.

Win or go home for Titans

With the playoffs at stake, Tinley Park is asking its fans to dress in red for Friday night's game against Hillcrest. The Titans and Hawks are both 4-4 and need a win to qualify for the postseason, which begins Oct. 31.

"We want a sea of red," Titans coach Nick Johnson said. "We want a 'Red-Out.' It's going to be a playoff atmosphere."

The Titans, who haven't qualified for the playoffs since 2000 and haven't won a postseason game since a victory against King in 1993, must somehow find the end zone against a stifling Hawks defense.

"We've got to be aggressive and firing on all cylinders," Johnson said. "Hillcrest is impressive defensively. We've got to mix it up on offense and find a way to protect (Kyle) Rodriguez."

The Titans are coming off arguably their most complete game of the season, a 28-0 victory against Shepard.

Rodriguez threw for a pair of touchdowns, while also returning kicks and playing cornerback. Senior Stu Litko logged double-duty at slot receiver and outside linebacker. He leads the team in tackles and receiving yards (334). Defensive back Kyle Blume contributed an interception - his third - against Shepard.

"The defense has been consistent all year," Johnson said. "The kids know what's at stake. It's just good to be working for one of our goals the last week of the regular season."

Mustangs proud of title

Any one of the five teams representing the Catholic League Blue are worthy of the conference championship. But St. Rita overcame major obstacles in the form of Brother Rice, Providence Catholic, Mount Carmel and Loyola Academy to lay claim to the honor.

"It means a lot," St. Rita coach Todd Kuska said. "There are no weeks off in this conference. You have to be ready to play. We didn't play well against Loyola, but I'm proud of the way the guys stepped up after that week."

The Mustangs stepped up big Friday against Brother Rice, squeaking away with a 14-10 win that clinched the division title. Seniors Dave Marciano, Dan Dispensa and Marty Hopkins led the charge, which is what one would expect during the most significant game of the season.

"We knew we had to step up being seniors," said Dispensa, who registered an interception against Rice. "We knew what was at stake.

"It was the biggest game of the year. Brother Rice played well and they're a very good team. It's a tough conference and it feels good to win it."

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