October 2, 2009

Several other games that might not have the tradition or the packed houses will also be on the docket.

Will the Big 12 conference championship be decided this week in Danville? Can the Vikings win at home against a very good Decatur Mac team? Can Decatur Mac "man up" from here on out as the schedule gets much tougher from here on out for the Generals.

East St. Louis (3-2) hasn't been tested this season since they came back 0-2 in Ohio and the Flyers have also posted some serious hurts so far on all comers in the Southwestern conference. Can Belleville West (3-2) be that test, or are the Maroons still reeling after losing to rival East last week 19-14?

Also, is this the week that the Great Equalizer takes effect?

Huh? Is that like the Great Pumpkin? Well, sort of. The Great Equalizer, as in poor weather and field conditions can definitely have a serious impact on several teams and game plans. We had a bit of this last Friday but looking at the projected forecasts for Friday can this be the week that the Great Equalizer really takes hold?

Expect Week 6 to shake loose some more than interesting scenarios this week.

Star Power? Chicago St. Rita has a very solid junior RB in Jahwon Akul who has been tearing things up so far this season for the Mustangs. Defensively, senior three star ranked DL Bruce Gaston Jr.[db] is one of the most sought after prospects in the state. Senior LB [db]Ron McNamara is another very solid play-maker for the Mustangs defense. Mount Carmel? The offense begins with junior QB Chris Sujka and also keep an eye out for three star ranked Miami of Ohio verbal commit RB Milton Greer. The Caravan defensively also features senior DL Nathan Ollie (Ball State) along with senior WR/S Jack Sherlock[/db[ and senior DL Richard Russell.

Best Matchup: Beef against beef, line play against line play. Both teams will look to run the ball effectively and this remains a CCL Blue smash-mouth type of ball game. The first team that can control the line of scrimmage will control the game. Simple as that. Expect a physical and hard hitting game here, and you'll be hard pressed to see a game with as much passion and with as much on the line for both schools than in this annual battle.

Prediction: I really like both teams, but the one issue I've had with the Caravan since opening weekend is upfront on the defensive front seven. This will be the annual grudge match and a close game as usual, but in the end I'll stand by my ranking. St. Rita

Star Power? Naperville Central relies big time on the arm and the legs of senior QB [db]Nick Linne. Linne is a verbal commit for baseball to Northwestern. The Redhawks also have talent in the offensive skills in junior WR Hayden Daniels, the younger brother of current Houston Texan TE Owen Daniels along with senior TE Cameron Brate (6-foot-5, 230 pounds). Naperville North will counter with senior RB Idris Hanidu and junior QB Matt LaCosse. Defensively, junior ILB/FB Nick Lifka is a player to watch for the Huskies.

Best Matchup: The Naperville North defense against the Naperville Central offense. The Redhawks will again rely heavily on the reads from QB Nick Linnein the Redhawks offense, and Linne is a threat with the pass and the run. If the North defense can keep Linne in the pocket and force the Redhawks into a handful of early 3 and outs the better. If Linne can get out and create then it could be a long night for the Huskies defense.

Prediction: At this stage you just have to wonder if North can get enough momentum and wins to get into the state playoff field. The Huskies have suffered some serious injuries and some bad luck this season, yet I still get the feeling that this team will show up for this one. A must win is a must win, and if the Huskies defense can figure a way to slow down Nick Linne then game on. And yes this is a slight adjustment from my pick in the Chicago Tribune via the expected rain today. Naperville North

The Skinny: Power running game versus spread passing attack. Joliet Catholic has been able to just outquick all comers with it's power/speed running game. While the Hilltoppers still have just four plays in it's entire offensive playbook, those four plays look as good or even better this fall with a group of young yet very skilled players in the Hilltoppers backfield running the show. Marist will look to counter JCA with a potent spread passing attack led by a D-1 level quarterback in Mike Perish.

Star Power? Joliet Catholic as mentioned has a group of very good skill position players who for the most part are underclassmen. Sophomore QB Anthony Maddie runs the offense and also keep an eye out for senior RB Jordan Lyles along with junior RB Josh Ferguson plus freshman RB Ty Isaac and junior RB Malin Jones. Defensively senior ILB Jake Stockman is a hard nsoed player to watch. For Marist, senior QB Mike Perish runs the show and is a real threat running and passing for the Redhawks. Perish is verbally committed to Western Michigan. Also keep an eye out for a very good group of skill position players including senior WR Dan Piko, senior WR Billy Lundy (6-foot-2, 188 pounds), senior WR Luke Duffy (6-foot-2, 173 pounds), junior WR Jayson Gorski (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) plus senior WR Nick Valla (6-foot-3, 190 pounds).

Best Matchup: The key in this one hands down will be the Marist offense against the JCA defense. The Hillmen had some earlier issues against a comparable spread offense in St. Viator a few weeks ago, and I'm certain that the game tape from that game has been on steady rotation in the Marist coaches offices this week. The JCA defense will need to step up and make some plays this week and try to limit the big plays from Marist this week. If the Marist offense can keep the JCA defense on the field for long periods of time the better for the Redhawks.

Prediction: Check the forecast. If we get the rain and slop predicted on Friday then I have to think that JCA and it's running game will be at an advantage. Plus, the Hillmen are more accustomed to playing in less than spectacular conditions, hence the nickname The Beach for it's home field at Joliet Memorial Stadium. However, if we get a dry field at Marist this one has the potential to be an upset special. Joliet Catholic.

Springfield over Glenwood
Marian Catholic over Nazareth Academy
Vernon Hills over Antioch
Minooka over Plainfield North
Lockport over Lincoln-Way Central
East St. Louis over Belleville West
Rock Island over RI Alleman

Total points scored in the MacArthur/Danville game? EDGY say's 51 points

	EDGYTIM is the Publisher for EdgyTim.com . EDGYTIM can be reached at edgytim@rivals.com.
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