And then there were nine, but soon there will be fewer. There are nine area teams in the IHSA football playoffs … two fewer than last year and three fewer than the Swami foresaw (Libertyville, Waukegan & Deerfield fogged up the crystal ball). As for this week’s gazing …
Last week, Swami was 9-4. For the season, the Wise One is 97-29, including some sorry upset specials.
FRIDAY GAMES
CLASS 5A
Wauconda (7-2) at Belvidere (7-2) (7:30 p.m.) – The out-of-town Bucs are suddenly a state contender as they are a Class 7A program competing at the Class 5A level. The new Belvidere North High opened this year, taking half the freshmen, sophomores and juniors in the school district, but leaving the Bucs with ALL the seniors. That makes Belvidere High the equivalent of a Class 7A school. Bucs run a no-huddle wishbone offense and rarely pass. Wauconda relies on the county’s two-time area rushing champion, Brad “The Wiz” Wisniewski. The Wiz was stopped exactly one time this year … by Class 7A Lake Zurich. Class 7A Belvidere will make it twice. Belvidere 34, Wauconda 14.
CLASS 6A
Vernon Hills (5-4) at Richards (9-0) (7 p.m.) – The last time an area team played at Richards, Carmel lost in the “Fog Bowl” on a Saturday night in the semifinals of the playoffs in 2002. The next year, Carmel won the state title. Vernon Hills might be very very good … next year. Richards 34, Vernon Hills 14.
CLASS 7A
Wheeling (6-3) at Lake Zurich (8-1) (7:30 p.m.) – After finishing second in the state Class 7A playoffs last fall, the Bears will begin this year’s title run in the comfortable surroundings of home. Chalk one up for our side. Lake Zurich 28, Wheeling 3.
CL South (7-2) at Carmel (7-2) (7 p.m.) – Believe it or not, Crystal Lake South lost a game this year 55-0. Make it two. Carmel 55, CL South 0.
CLASS 8A
Stevenson ( 5-4) at Palatine Fremd (9-0) (7 p.m.) – Fremd is the only team to beat Lake Zurich this year and the Vikings love to air it out. Stevenson’s best chance is to control the clock and keep its offense on the field. Good luck. Fremd 28, Stevenson 7.
SATURDAY GAMES
CLASS 6A
Chicago Simeon (5-4) at Grant (9-0) (7 p.m.) – Chicago Public League teams went 3-9 in Round 1 of the playoffs last year and are usually cannon fodder for suburban schools. Should we fire up the cannons? Swami sees trouble in the bubble. Of course, if Swami is wrong, he'll gladly donate $25 to the next Grant football bus trip. Simeon 22, Grant 14
Highland Park (6-3) at Lemont (7-2) (6 p.m.) – The “Rocket” Lindquist is the area’s top passer, with his stats held down only because he missed games with injuries. Still … Lemont 21, Highland Park 20.
CLASS 7A
Lake Forest (6-3) at Oswego (7-2) (6 p.m.) – When we last paid attention to Oswego, it was beating Libertyville in overtime to win the Class 7A state title in 2003. Lake Forest lost three of its last four games. Make if four of its last five. Oswego 28, Lake Forest 7.
CLASS 8A
Warren (6-3) at Loyola (7-2) (1 p.m.) – Loyola plays in the same league with national powerhouse Chicago Mt. Carmel and state power Chicago St. Rita. We’ll find out here just how strong the North Suburban Conference Lake Division was this fall. The guess? Not strong enough. Loyola 27, Warren 16.
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