Lions face Bartlett to open playoffs

Updated: October 24, 2011 8:47PM

Bartlett coach Tom Meaney hasn’t seen Lyons play a game live, but he already has a taste of how its season has gone after watching Lyons on video.

Lyons used three different quarterbacks in its 30-14 victory at Leyden Saturday, which gave Lyons its 14th playoff berth and third in a row.

Junior Zachary Mahoney made his varsity starting debut at quarterback, but usual starter Connor Onion played before freshman Tom Fiedler made his varsity debut later in the game.

Lyons (5-4) will play Bartlett (7-2) in its Class 8A playoff opener at 7 p.m. Saturday at Streamwood.

“We don’t know who the quarterback will be,” said Meaney, who led the Hawks to their fifth consecutive win with a 59-0 victory over East Aurora.

Which Lyons team will show up for the playoffs? Lyons defeated Stevenson (7-2) in its season opener, but also ended Proviso West’s three-game losing streak with a loss at home in Week 8.

“There are 256 teams that get the opportunity (in the playoffs),” Lyons coach Kurt Weinberg said. “We’re excited about that. We look forward to it. I love the challenge. I love this time of year.”

Bartlett, which makes its 11th playoff appearance and second consecutive, has played four playoff teams this season. The Hawks lost to Wheaton North (7-2) and Batavia (9-0), but beat Waubonsie Valley (8-1) and Neuqua Valley (5-4). Waubonsie earned one of two No. 1 seeds in the Class 8A playoffs.

“We were horrible against Batavia,” Meaney said. “We had five interceptions in that game.”

Meaney watched video from the Leyden game and said he was impressed by junior receiver-defensive back Matthew Harris, who also has made big plays on special teams this season.

“(Lyons) is an outstanding team,” Meaney said. “They give you a lot of different looks.”

Bartlett is one of the rare teams that uses two tight ends instead of a spread offense. The Hawks are led by Air Force-bound quarterback A.J. Bilyeu, who passed for 210 yards and three TDs against South Elgin, and sophomore running back James Butler.

“(Butler) has definitely improved as the season goes on. We’re excited about him. He’s a hard worker,” Meaney said.

Bilyeu’s main receiver has been Lorenzo Mitchell behind an offensive line of Jon Foston, Nick Antolik, Ryan Gray, Tyler Bernat and Kevin Bauers.

On defense, Bartlett is led by defensive back Kyle Garcia and linebackers Mike Partyka, Kevin Kirchoff and Tyler Hess.

Lyons owns an 8-13 playoff record while Bartlett’s is 6-10. The Hawks won the Upstate Eight Valley outright for the first time since 2008 and has shared or won six conference titles in the last 12 years.

The Hawks have averaged 36.4 points per game this season while allowing 10.9.

“Bartlett is physical and aggressive,” Weinberg said. “They are a good football team. They have good speed as well. They are among one of the top teams we’ve seen all year.”

Lyons is one of five West Suburban Silver teams to make the playoffs this season, following Glenbard West (9-0), Hinsdale Central (6-3), York (6-3) and Proviso West (5-4). The DuPage Valley also sent five teams to the playoffs.

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