Football: SouthtownStar football preview capsules

Updated: December 28, 2011 7:35PM

(includes seedings)

CLASS 4A

No. 5 Alleman (9-1) at No. 13 Evergreen Park (7-3)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Rock Island Alleman 49, Phillips 9; Evergreen Park 10, Marshall 6

The breakdown: Alleman’s only loss was to a Moline team that finished 6-4 and barely scraped by a 4-5 Rich South team, 26-19, in Week 9. While the 1-2 punch of RBs Victor Baker (169 carries, 1,030 yards) and Jared Jackson (56, 760) might be enough to pull off the upset, it’s likely the Mustangs will have to show an ability to throw the ball. If QB Brandon White can do that, the Mustangs could find themselves in the quarterfinals.

CLASS 5A

No. 2 Washington (9-1) at No. 6 Rich East (7-3)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Washington 34, Dunlap 14; Rich East 28, Metamora 15

The breakdown: The bad news for Rich East fans is that Washington has outscored its opponents 340-137. The good news is that Washington’s only loss on the season was to Metamora, 27-24. That’s the same Metamora team Rich East defeated 18-15 in the first round of the playoffs. The Rockets will do what they do best: run the football. Richard White (141, 816) and Rondell Willingham (131, 771) have the power to run between the tackles and the speed to kick it outside. The Rockets defense, led by Cameron Smith, Herb Davis and Anthony Perkins, must step up and limit Washington’s big plays.

No. 7 Tinley Park (8-2) at No. 2 Marian Central Catholic

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Tinley Park 35, Grayslake Central 22; Marian Central Catholic 42, Robeson 20

The breakdown: Expect Tinley Park to remain committed to a balanced attack on offense, allowing QB Kyle Sheridan (74-of-131, 1,236 yards) to complete the timely pass and RBs Greg Wallace (125, 1,100) and Preston Thompson (95, 744) to generate a rushing attack. Sheridan has a couple of quality targets in WRs Stacey Brandy (31, 526) and Eldridge Anderson (24, 499). If the Titans defense, led by Mike McCullough and Chance Degnegaard, can produce a turnover or two, it could be a happy ride back to Tinley Park.

CLASS 6A

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

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Lemont 56, Morgan Park 30; Oak Forest 48, T.F. North 26

The breakdown: Two weeks ago, Lemont hammered Oak Forest 47-13. Can the Bengals somehow turn the tables on Lemont? It’s going to take a perfect 48 minutes of football for that to happen. While the Bengals would love to rely on the legs of RBs Matt Barry (188, 1,014) and Tevin Coleman (76, 877) and QB Tom Zale, they’re likely going to have to mix it up. That means going to air. The weapons exist in the form of Coleman and WRs Artie Johnson, Joe Buckley and Kyle Hullinger. It’s the only way to penetrate a Lemont defense, led by John Tomala and Kyle Krull, that has recorded five shutouts. Lemont’s offense boasts RBs Mike Anzalone (176, 1,161) and Chris Giatras (85, 573) and QB Damon Aleman (43-of-84, 937).

No. 3 Hubbard (8-2) at No. 7 Richards (6-4)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Hubbard 17, Bremen 7; Richards 28, Hyde Park 14

The breakdown: For the Bulldogs to pull off the win, two things likely need to occur: The defense has to prevent Hubbard RB Anthony Johnson and QB Quincy Skanes from busting the big play. Bulldogs LBs Andrew Venerable and DiAndre Smith will have a say in that. Second, Richards must prevent Hubbard from loading eight players in the box in an effort to stop Bulldogs RB Marcus Smith (151, 1,086). The best way to do that is to show an ability to pass the rock, which is something Bulldogs QB Tommy Mister has been inconsistent doing. If Mister can complete some passes, the Bulldogs cruise to the quarterfinals.

No. 1 Crete-Monee (10-0) at No. 5 Peoria Richwoods (7-3)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Crete-Monee 63, Bloomington 14; Peoria Richwoods 45, Normal 10

The breakdown: The Warriors will have to overcome a raucous atmosphere. Expect Richwoods to try to take away the Warriors passing attack. It’s a good strategy, but nearly an impossible one to execute. Crete-Monee QB Marcus Terrell (167-of-251, 2,463 yards) and WR LaQuon Treadwell (61, 1,230) have proved unstoppable, thanks in large part to an O-line of Austin Rosenfeldt, David Hommes, Adam Higgins, Kyle Lewis and Keynan Hardin that has provided quality pass protection. RB Kenneth Kidd (108, 772) hasn’t been relied on much, but a big game from him might be required if Richwoods can tame the Warriors aerial attack.

CLASS 7A

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

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Wheaton-Warrenville South 23, Providence 16; Lincoln-Way East 35, Plainfield South 7

The breakdown: The Tigers have won six straight after dropping three of their first four games. Two of those losses were to undefeated Maine South, 13-9, and Glenbard West, 21-7. Northwestern-bound RB Dan Vitale is the go-to guy for WWS and likely will tote the pigskin 30 times. If the Griffins defense, led by Matt Solner, Joel Magrum and Kevin Bayer, can contain Vitale, East should be in good shape. Griffins QB Blake Winkler (118-of-196, 2,237 yards) and WRs J.J. Robertson (34, 857) and Jelani Yancy (36, 559) should expect the Tigers to come at them.

No. 3 St. Rita (8-2) at No. 11 Andrew (7-3)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: St. Rita 35, Shepard 10; Andrew 14, Eisenhower 0

The breakdown: Andrew has not faced a defense the caliber of St. Rita’s. Andrew QB Tyler Hook (106-of-173, 1,570) has two prime targets in WRs Joe Sanfilippo (43, 652) and Alex Zappavigna. The wild card could be getting WR Dennis Vilimek involved more in the offense. He’s a playmaker. St. Rita’s offense has relied more on RB Tim Lombard (115, 702) in recent weeks and the junior has responded. He rushed for 225 yards and four TDs against Shepard. Andrew must keep an eye on St. Rita RB Mike Zunica, who is key in short yardage situations.

CLASS 8A

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

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Lockport 18, Simeon 15; H-F 48, Marist 28

The breakdown: The previous time these two teams played, H-F walked away with a 35-0 win. That was in Week 6 and at Lockport. H-F QB Tim Williams (136-of-210, 2,037 yards) has a bevy of exciting receivers, led by Sean Jones (43, 926). But if RB Anfernee Roberts is allowed to go off like he did against Marist, piling up 147 yards and two scores, Lockport is in trouble. How the Porters fare will largely be up to the performance of QB Billy Reed, who is a threat to run as well as throw. RB Dexter Taylor is the primary ballcarrier for Lockport.

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

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Mount Carmel 28, Hinsdale C. 14; Bolingbrook 33, Neuqua Valley 14

The breakdown: It largely boils down to this for Mount Carmel: If QB Don Butkus and RBs Brandon Greer and Draco Smith can move the chains by way of the run, that will leave Bolingbrook’s offense, led by QB Aaron Bailey, on the sideline and unable to do damage. Mount Carmel’s offensive line must step up. The Caravan has hurt itself more than any other season in recent memory by way of flags and coughing the ball up. It’s a recipe for disaster, especially against a team as explosive as Bolingbrook.

No. 6 Brother Rice (7-3) at No. 3 Downers Grove South (9-1)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Brother Rice 35, Sandburg 14; Downers Grove South. 37, Naperville North 24

The breakdown: For the record, the overall record of Downers South’s opponents this season is 37-56. Only four of those 10 opponents boasted a winning record. It’s unlikely Downers South’s defense has witnessed a 1-2 attack in the backfield like Rice’s Martez Walker (148, 1,189) and Andrew Walker (153, 990). Rice’s O-line has been stellar and should be able to provide room for the Walkers to run. The Crusaders defense must focus on stopping South QB A.J. Simoncelli, whose prime target is WR Kaylon Miller. Mustangs RB Josh Williams runs hard.

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