Herald-News Week 7 football preview capsules

Updated: October 5, 2011 6:08PM

Marian (3-3, 3-3) at Joliet Catholic (5-1, 4-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at ATI Field at Memorial Stadium

The rundown: After last week’s 24-21 loss to Nazareth, Joliet Catholic is among four East Suburban Catholic teams with one loss. Now the goal is to claim at least a share of the league title and secure a favorable playoff seed. Marian is allowing 33.3 points per game.

Lincoln-Way E. (6-0, 4-0) at Lincoln-Way C. (1-5, 0-4)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Lincoln-Way East must avoid a letdown after last week’s 20-14 win over SouthWest Suburban Blue foe Bolingbrook, but that should not be an issue with district rival Lincoln-Way Central on the opposite sideline. Brett Ditchman rushed for 201 yards last week in the Knights’ 31-19 loss to Joliet West.

Plainfield N. (3-3, 2-2) at Minooka (4-2, 4-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Minooka, seeking its fifth straight victory, is tied with Oswego atop the Southwest Prairie standings. The Indians whipped Oswego East 48-7 last week as Kalvin Hill rushed for 198 yards. Plainfield North is coming off a 42-21 loss to Oswego and battling for a playoff berth.

H-F (4-2, 2-2) at Joliet C. (0-6, 0-4)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday

The rundown: Joliet Central meets another of the many SouthWest Suburban Blue heavyweights in Homewood-Flossmoor, which halted a two-game losing streak last week with a 35-0 thumping of Lockport. The Steelmen would like to crank up the offense, having scored three touchdowns total in six games.

Lockport (4-2, 2-2) at Joliet W. (2-4, 2-2)

Kickoff: Noon Saturday

The rundown: This SouthWest Suburban Blue match-up is interesting. Lockport lost to Homewood-Flossmoor 35-0 last week while West won its second straight 31-19 over Lincoln-Way Central. Tigers senior Jamarr Jordan gained 180 yards in 23 carries and scored tiwce on long runs.

Plainfield E. (2-4, 2-2) at Plainfield C. (4-2, 2-2)

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday

The rundown: The traditional Saturday Homecoming game at Plainfield Central is huge for both Southwest Prairie teams’ playoff hopes. East must win out while Central probably has to win two of its last three to qualify. The Bengals belted Romeoville 40-14 while the Wildcats downed Plainfield South 26-19 last week.

Providence (3-3, 0-3) at Lake Forest Academy (1-5)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday

The rundown: Lake Forest Academy plays largely Chicago Catholic League competition and, while scoring some points, has allowed no less than 33 in any of the last four games, all losses. Providence suffered a 38-31 double-overtime loss to Brother Rice last week and needs a win to move closer to a playoff berth.

Lincoln-Way W. (4-2, 3-1) at Stagg (1-5, 1-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Lincoln-Way West thrust itself in position for at least a share of the SouthWest Suburban Red championship with last week’s 19-6 win over Thornton. Those two, Andrew and Bradley all are 3-1 in the league. Stagg got its first win last week 16-14 over winless Thornridge.

Oswego E. (2-4, 0-4) at Romeoville (1-5, 0-4)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: The Southwest Prairie adversaries both are on four-game losing streaks. Minooka thumped Oswego East 48-7 last week while Romeoville fell to Plainfield East 40-14. The Spartans are looking to get their offense untracked. Junior Jacob Bambule took over at quarterback last week.

Plainfield S. (3-3, 2-2) at Oswego (4-2, 4-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Plainfield South can boost its playoff hopes and do Minooka a favor in the Southwest Prairie race if the Cougars can knock off Oswego. The Panthers average 33.3 points and allow 30 so expect fireworks. South’s 26-19 defeat at the hands of Plainfield Central last week was its second straight loss.

Bolingbrook (5-1, 3-1) at Sandburg (5-1, 3-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: The 20-14 SouthWest Suburban Blue loss Bolingbrook suffered at the hands of Lincoln-Way East last week was difficult to swallow, and the Raiders aim to rebound against Sandburg and claim sole possession of second place. Aaron Bailey scored twice on long runs and Bolingbrook’s defense was strong last week.

Hillcrest (0-6, 0-3) at Lemont (6-0, 3-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Hillcrest, which has suffered two two-point losses, fell to Tinley Park 21-7 last week. Lemont beat Bremen 21-0 and has established itself as the class of the South Suburban Blue. The Indians, behind their Ethan Pocic-led offensive line, average 38.5 points, and defensively, they have four shutouts.

Morris (6-0, 2-0) at DeKalb (3-3, 0-2)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Morris makes its final Northern Illinois Big 12 East road trip of the season to DeKalb, with big home games still to come against Rochelle and Kaneland. The Redskins have scored no fewer than 27 points in any game and have victories over three opponents that are 4-2 at this juncture.

Around the Interstate Eight

The key matchups are Westmont (4-2, 4-0) at Wilmington (5-1, 4-0) in the I-8 Small and Manteno (5-1, 3-1) at Coal City (6-0, 4-0) in the I-8 Large. Both will determine conference titles. Also on the agenda, Dwight (0-6, 0-4) is at Reed-Custer (0-6, 0-4) and Seneca (2-4, 2-2) entertains Lisle (2-4, 2-2) in the Small while Herscher (2-4, 0-4) visits Peotone (1-5, 0-4) in the Large.

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