Herald-News Week 8 football previews

Updated: October 12, 2011 7:35PM

Wilmington (6-1, 5-0) at Coal City (6-1, 4-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

The rundown: Both neighborhood rivals in this Interstate Eight crossover have lost once — to Manteno. Wilmington secured the I-8 Small title last week with a 44-14 victory over Westmont while Coal City fell to Manteno 40-34 in the I-8 Large title game despite Cody Onsen’s 402 passing yards. The Wildcats won last year’s game 40-19.

Romeoville (2-5, 1-4) at Minooka (5-2, 5-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Minooka has won five straight and shares with SPC lead with Oswego; the two meet next week. Romeoville collected its first Southwest Prairie victory under coach Jeff Kuna last week, 31-10 over Oswego East as junior quarterback Jacob Bambule completed 14-of-28 for 216 yards and three touchdowns.

Oswego (5-2, 5-0) at Plainfield C. (5-2, 3-2)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

The rundown: Plainfield Central can clinch a playoff berth and do Minooka a favor in the Southwest Prairie race with a victory. The Wildcats won their third straight 33-21 over Plainfield East last week. Pass-happy Oswego is averaging 40 points per game in conference play.

Plainfield S. (3-4, 2-3) at Plainfield E. (2-5, 2-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

The rundown: Plainfield South must win this Southwest Prairie match-up and beat Plainfield North next week to qualify for the playoffs. The Cougars have dropped three straight. Plainfield East’s 33-21 loss to Plainfield Central last week eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention.

Joliet Catholic (6-1, 5-1) at St. Patrick (3-4, 2-4)

Kickoff: 8 p.m. Friday at Hanson Stadium

The rundown: Joliet Catholic, No. 2 in the area and No. 15 in the Chicago are by the Sun-Times, attempts to keep moving toward a share of the East Suburban Catholic Conference title. The Hilltoppers are averaging 45.7 points and allowing 15.0 while St. Pat’s, which has lost four straight, averages 36.3 and allows 33.3.

Joliet C. (0-7, 0-5) at Lincoln-Way E. (7-0, 5-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Joliet Central has not challenged for a SouthWest Suburban Blue victory yet and this does appear to be the week it will happen. Explosive Lincoln-Way East, No. 1 in the area and No. 3 in the Chicago area by the Sun-Times, is bidding for its 100th victory in only 11 varsity seasons.

Joliet W. (2-5, 2-3) at H-F (5-2, 3-2)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Joliet West is coming off a disappointing 35-14 loss to Lockport, which eliminated the Tigers from playoff contention. SouthWest Suburban Blue foe Homewood-Flossmoor, No. 21 in the Chicago area by the Sun-Times, has shaken off the effects of consecutive losses to Lincoln-Way East and Bolingbrook.

Sandburg (5-2, 3-2) at Lockport (5-2, 3-2)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: The longtime SouthWest Suburban Blue rivals clash in a game that has conference standing and playoff ramifications. Both are likely to qualify with five wins but want to get the clinching sixth victory. Sandburg won last year’s match-up 27-17.

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

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Bolingbrook, No. 3 in the area and No. 8 in the Chicago area by the Sun-Times, looks to continue its trek toward a high playoff seed with a victory over SouthWest Suburban Blue rival Lincoln-Way Central. Led by linebacker Antonio Morrison, the Raiders have been strong defensively, allowing 14 points per game.

St. Ignatius (2-5, 1-2) at Providence (4-3, 0-3)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Providence would qualify for the playoffs with a victory over St. Ignatius, which lost to Hales Franciscan 67-22 last week. The Celtics will finish the regular season next week against mighty Mount Carmel.

Rochelle (5-2, 1-2) at Morris (7-0, 3-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

The rundown: After losing to Northern Illinois Big 12 East foe Morris 43-19 in Week 6, Sycamore rebounded last week to edge Rochelle 26-23. Rochelle’s other loss was 35-14 to unbeaten Kaneland, which Morris will entertain next week. Morris is No. 4 in the area and No. 23 in the Chicago area by the Sun-Times.

Lemont (7-0, 4-0) at T.F. North (5-2, 3-2)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: T.F. North is among the tougher South Suburban Blue opponents for Lemont, but that may not be saying much. The Indians, No. 5 in the area and No. 16 in the Chicago area by the Sun-Times, have shut out four opponents and have yielded 32 points all season while averaging 41 per game.

Oswego E. (0-5, 2-5) at Plainfield N. (3-4, 2-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday

The rundown: Plainfield North must win its last two Southwest Prairie games — this one and next week’s against Plainfield South — to qualify for the playoffs. Kurt Palandech hit 20-of-34 passes for 272 yards and Quest Young caught 11 passes for 148 yards in last week’s 28-21 loss to Minooka.

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

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday

The rundown: Lincoln-Way West is tied for first place in the SouthWest Suburban Red with Thornton and Andrew, who meet next week. The Warriors need one more victory to guarantee a playoff berth.

Around the Interstate Eight

In addition to the Wilmington at Coal City clash, I-8 Friday night crossovers include Dwight (1-6, 1-4) at Peotone (2-5, 1-4), Plano (5-3, 3-2) at Reed-Custer (0-7, 0-5) and Seneca (3-4, 3-2) at Sandwich (5-2, 3-2).

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