Football: Herald-News football preview capsules

Updated: November 2, 2011 7:58PM

(includes seedings)

CLASS 8A

No. 13 Lockport (7-3) at No. 12 Homewood-Flossmoor (7-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

Quuarterfinals: Lockport would host Naperville Central or Belleville East.

The rundown: Lockport and Homewood-Floosmoor met Sept. 30 in the SouthWest Suburban Blue, with H-F prevailing 35-0. The Porters pulled a mild surprise when they ousted Simeon 18-15 in Round 1 of the playoffs, while the explosive Vikings, coming off a triple-overtime Week 9 loss to Sandburg, rolled over Marist 48-28. Lockport’s defense must find a way to contend with 6-foot-7 H-F QB Tim Williams, also a standout basketball player, and the Porters offense needs to respond in a manner similar to the 14-play, 80-yard drive that produced the victory over Simeon.

Prediction: H-F 28, Lockport 21

CLASS 7A

No. 7 Mount Carmel (7-3) at No. 2 Bolingbrook (9-1)

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday

Quarterfinals: Bolingbrook would host Downers Grove South or travel to Brother Rice.

The rundown: Bolingbrook was ousted from the 2010 playoffs by Mount Carmel in a game at Gately Stadium, and the Raiders have revenge in mind. The Caravan has been struggling by its lofty standards, losing three of the last four in the regular season before beating Hinsdale Central 28-14 to open the playoffs. Bolingbrook cleared its first playoff hurdle 33-14 over Neuqua Valley as electric QB Aaron Bailey rushed for 304 yards, including touchdowns of 71, 80, 12 and 66 yards.

Prediction: Bolingbrook 28, Mount Carmel 14

No. 8 Wheaton-Warrenville South (7-3) at No. 1 Lincoln-Way East (10-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Quarterfinals: Lincoln-Way East would host Oswego or travel to East St. Louis.

The rundown: Two of the top programs in the state get together, and the onus is on the Lincoln-Way East defense to contain 210-pound Tigers RB Dan Vitale. In South’s 23-16 playoff-opening victory over Providence, extending the Tigers’ winning streak to six, Vitale ran 34 times for 223 yards. East eliminated Plainfield South 35-7 as QB Blake Winkler completed 12-of-18 passes for 220 yards and Jay Yancy caught seven for 134. Winkler has thrown for 2,237 yards and 30 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

Prediction: Lincoln-Way East 27, Wheaton-Warrenville South 17

CLASS 6A

No. 1 Lemont (10-0) at No. 5 Oak Forest (7-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

Quarterfinals: Lemont would host Hubbard or Richards.

The rundown: Lemont’s outstanding defense was stung early in Friday’s 56-30 win over Morgan Park, allowing 84- and 65-yard touchdowns on the Mustangs’ first two plays from scrimmage. But a series of takeaways and an offensive explosion allowed the Indians to right the ship. Mike Anzalone rushed for 165 yards and Damon Aleman passed for 122, completing 7-of-11 passes. The Indians whipped Oak Forest 41-13 two weeks ago in the South Suburban Blue finale.

Prediction: Lemont 42, Oak Forest 14

CLASS 5A

No. 4 Joliet Catholic (8-2) at No. 1 Morris (9-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

Quarterfinals: Joliet Catholic would host Rich East or travel to Washington. Morris would travel to Rich East or to Washington.

The rundown: Joliet Catholic leads the series in the modern era 6-3, but Morris won all three games on its home field, playoff games in 2005 and ’06 in addition to an ’06 regular-season meeting. The Redskins must find a way to slow down the Hilltoppers’ high-powered offense if they hope to make it four straight on familiar turf. Joliet Catholic is averaging 47.5 points and 435.5 yards. Ty Isaac has rushed for 1,631 yards, Malin Jones for 1,002 and Craig Slowik has passed for 1,064. QB Austin Feeney and RB Jeff Perry are concerns for the Joliet Catholic defense. Morris got past Morton 35-24 in Round 1.

Prediction: Joliet Catholic 35, Morris 21

CLASS 4A

No. 2 Coal City (9-1) at No. 10 Stillman Valley (8-2)

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday

Quarterfinals: Coal City would host Harper or Sandwich.

The rundown: Cody Onsen, also the team rushing leader, has completed 56.5 percent of his passes for 1,971 yards and 26 touchdowns for Coal City, which beat Fenger 45-7 in its playoff opener. WR Matt Halloran has 47 catches for 920 yards, a 19.6 average, and 18 scores. Stillman Valley, the 3A state runner-up in 2010, beat Winnebago 28-26 in Week 8 to claim the Big Northern West title. The Cardinals’ losses were 38-20 to Aurora Christian and 35-7 to Burlington Central, and they beat Plano 35-10 last week. Coal City defeated Plano 21-7 in the Interstate Eight.

Prediction: Coal City 21, Stillman Valley 20

CLASS 3A

No. 3 Winnebago (8-2) at No. 7 Wilmington (7-3)

Kickoff: 3 p.m. Saturday

Quarterfinals: Wilmington would travel to Aurora Christian or to Oregon.

The rundown: Fumble recoveries by Don Hays and Chris Tworek and Mike Wolfe’s punt return for a touchdown, all in the second quarter, helped Wilmington reverse the momentum en route to a 34-13 victory at Rockridge in the playoff opener. Tworek scored three TDs for the Wildcats, who lost their final two games in the regular season. Winnebago, which fell to Wilmington 55-26 in Round 1 last year and is 4-9 all-time in playoff games, finished second to Stillman Valley in the Big Northern West. The Indians are averaging 42.1 points, though that includes outbursts of 76, 60 and 75 against lesser opponents.

Prediction: Wilmington 27, Winnebago 20

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.