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Nazareth (5-1) at Marist (3-3)
When: 8 p.m. Friday.
Last matchup: Marist beat Nazareth 34-13 last year in LaGrange Park.
About Nazareth: J.J. McCarthy and the Roadrunners appear to be clicking on all cylinders, averaging a tick under 50 points the last three games. Nazareth really hasn't been tested since its Week 1 loss to Cardinal Ritter – but that's about to change. A gauntlet of a last three games – Marist, Notre Dame and Benet – will provide a proper gauge going into the playoffs. Marist has been a thorn in Nazareth's side lately with three straight wins in the series, and none were particularly close. The last two were Nazareth's only regular-season losses in 2017 and 2018.
About Marist: The RedHawks, a Class 8A semifinalist last year, are in danger of missing the playoffs for only the second time since 2007. The schedule, teams with a combined record of 32-10, has been a bear, with three losses by a combined 17 points to Notre Dame, Brother Rice and Mount Carmel. Marist rotated senior Hayden Mikesell and sophomore Dontrell Jackson, Jr. at quarterback the first five weeks, but Jackson – who holds an offer from Illinois – went the whole way against Mount Carmel.
Friday Night Drive pick: Nazareth.
Benet (6-0) at Loyola (4-2)
When: 1:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Loyola beat Benet 22-15 in 1999.
About Benet: The Redwings come in off a thrilling 21-17 win over St. Laurence, rallying with a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Sean Torres and Colin Gillespie each ran for TDs. It doesn't get any easier this week.
About Loyola: The Ramblers, reigning Class 8A state champs, have bounced back from a 17-14 Week 4 loss to Mount Carmel with blowout wins over St. Ignatius and Brother Rice. Junior Vaughn Pemberton, who ran for 195 yards and four TDs against Brother Rice, has broke 100 yards each of the last two weeks in emerging as Loyola's feature back.
FND pick: Loyola.
St. Francis (5-1, 3-0) at Riverside Brookfield (5-1, 2-1)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: St. Francis beat Riverside-Brookfield 49-6 last year.
About St. Francis: At this point, it's a wonder just how far Tommy Rittenhouse can climb in the stat sheet. Heading into this week, Rittenhouse has 20 touchdowns to one interception and five receivers with at least 10 catches for an offense averaging right at 50 points per game.
About R-B: It's been an outstanding turnaround season for the Bulldogs, going from 2-7 last year to playoff eligibility after last week's 43-0 win over Ridgewood. Luke Gentile ran for two touchdowns and caught one TD. The schedule, though, gets significantly tougher now. The first six opponents had a combined 16-26 record; the last three, 14-4.
FND pick: St. Francis
Glenbard West (6-0, 3-0) at Lyons Township (3-3, 1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Glenbard West beat Lyons 41-7 last year in Glen Ellyn.
About Glenbard West: The Hilltoppers have positively steamrolled all comers this season, outscoring opponents 310-50. The ground game of Jalen Moore, Joey Richmond and Samson Zander keeps rolling, 55-7 at Downers Grove North last week. A Week 8 showdown with fellow unbeaten Hinsdale Central looms.
About Lyons: The Lions have an outside shot at the playoffs after back-to-back wins, the last week 34-7 against Leyden. But they'll have to beat at least one out of Glenbard West or Hinsdale Central (in Week 9) to get there. Trell Harris, who had two TD catches last week, is emerging as a playmaker alongside senior Chris Clarke.
FND pick: Glenbard West.
York (3-3) at Willowbrook (5-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Willowbrook beat York 28-14 last year in Elmhurst.
About York: The Dukes, in defeat, should feel heartened by a close 28-21 loss to Hinsdale Central last week. Nick Conroy ran for 180 yards and three TDs, the last of which tied it in the fourth quarter. York needs to split games with Willowbrook and Oak Park-River Forest the next two weeks to position itself for a playoff bid.
About Willowbrook: If last Friday's 35-0 win over Hinsdale South, their fifth straight, is any indication, the Warriors are rounding into shape at the right time. Sam Tumilty, also a force defensively, ran for 258 yards and three TDs and ran for 164 yards and a TD. DeAndre Holliday had five catches for 118 yards and two TDs, and also intercepted a pass.
FND pick: Willowbrook.
Morton (0-6, 0-3) at Downers Grove South (3-3, 2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Downers Grove South beat Morton 21-7 last year in Berwyn.
About Morton: The Mustangs' offense showed signs of life last week in a 51-28 loss to Proviso East. It's the most points the Mustangs scored since Week 1
About Downers Grove South: The Mustangs, coming off a 42-0 win over Addison Trail last week, are well-positioned for a playoff run. Their next two opponents have a combined record of 1-11 before a Week 9 matchup with Downers Grove North. Jayden Lambert, who had a 75-yard TD run against Addison Trail, is Mustangs' playmaker.
FND pick: Downers Grove South.
Downers Grove North (3-3, 1-3) at Oak Park-River Forest (3-3, 2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Oak Park beat Downers Grove North 21-14 last year in Downers Grove.
About Downers Grove North: The Trojans need to put a 58-7 loss to Glenbard West behind them for key stretch run. With three 3-3 opponents left, Downers Grove North's playoff hopes figure to go to the wire – just like last year.
About Oak Park: The Huskies may have the same record as the Trojans – but with a Week 9 game with Glenbard West looming, there is very little margin for error. The game features two dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks, Oak Park's Jayden McGill and Downers Grove North's Drew Cassens.
FND pick: Oak Park-River Forest.
Glenbard South (5-1, 5-1) at South Elgin (6-0, 6-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: South Elgin beat Glenbard South 55-7 last season.
About Glenbard South: The Raiders are playoff-eligible after a 44-20 win over Fenton, and to no surprise it starts with Nick Plaso. Glenbard South's quarterback was over 100 yards rushing and passing, accounting for five TDs against the Bison. The next two weeks provide huge tests, at South Elgin and at Glenbard East.
About South Elgin: The Storm has clearly established itself as the cream of the crop in the Upstate Eight through six weeks. It starts with a defense that has allowed just seven points all season. Senior linebacker Vince Clinite is a player to watch.
FND pick: South Elgin.
Proviso West (0-6, 0-4) at Hinsdale Central (6-0, 3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Hinsdale Central beat Proviso West 48-8 last year in Hillside.
About Proviso West: The Panthers scored a season-high point total in last week's 40-26 loss to Oak Park-River Forest. A defense that gives up 46 points per game has been a season-long concern.
About Hinsdale Central: Junior Michael Brescia continues to enjoy a banner first season at starting quarterback with 13 TDs and zero interceptions. Braden Contreras has been his favorite target, with 10 TD catches. Mark Skokna ran for 146 yards last week against York.
FND pick: Hinsdale Central.
Hinsdale South (3-3, 2-1) at Proviso East (4-2, 3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Hinsdale South beat Proviso East 37-15 last year in Darien.
About Hinsdale South: The Hornets need to put a 35-0 loss to Willowbrook behind them, as a playoff bid is still very much in play.
About Proviso East: The Pirates, 2-7 last year, can become playoff-eligible for the first time since 2008 with a win. High-scoring games have been the norm for Proviso East, averaging 34 points.
FND pick: Hinsdale South.
Shepard (5-1) at Lemont (5-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: First known meeting.
About Shepard: The Astros, coming off a 29-10 win over Oak Lawn, feature a high-powered offense averaging nearly 30 points per game.
About Lemont: The Lemont have not been tested at all during a five-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 227-34. Three closing opponents against three teams with 5-1 records should provide a better barometer.
FND pick: Lemont.
Westmont (1-5, 0-3) at Ridgewood (2-4, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: First known meeting.
About Westmont: The Sentinels, after last year's 5-4 season, just haven't been able to match that. Westmont's 32-21 loss to Guerin last week was its fifth straight.
About Ridgewood: The Rebels have had a rough last couple weeks, with losses of 46-14 to Chicago Christian and 43-0 to Riverside-Brookfield.
FND pick: Ridgewood.
Geneva (0-6, 0-4) at Wheaton North (2-4, 0-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Geneva beat Wheaton North 17-14 last year in Geneva.
About Geneva: The Vikings earned their first victory of the season last year against Wheaton North, so they'll try to repeat history. Geneva is coming off a tough 42-0 loss to Batavia last week.
About Wheaton North: After beginning the season 2-0, the Falcons have lost four consecutive games. Wheaton North's offense has struggled the last two weeks, scoring a total of 13 points in losses to Glenbard North and Wheaton Warrenville South. Brayton Maske's 30-yard TD run accounted for the Falcons' only points last week.
FND pick: Wheaton North.
Wheaton Warrenville South (4-2, 2-2) at Lake Park (2-4, 1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Wheaton Warrenville South beat Lake Park 24-9 last year in Wheaton.
About WW South: The Tigers' defense rose to the occasion last week, holding Wheaton North to just one score in a 17-6 win. Prince Lankah rushed for 98 yards and a TD in the win for WW South, which can clinch its second straight playoff bid with a win.
About Lake Park: The Lancers need to win out to secure a playoff bid after back-to-back losses to St. Charles North and Glenbard North. The defense has been an issue of late, giving up 84 points in those two losses.
FND pick: WW South.
Glenbard East (5-1, 5-1) at Streamwood (2-4, 2-4).
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: Glenbard East beat Streamwood 63-2 last year in Lombard.
About Glenbard East: The Rams bounced back from their first loss in a big way, a 47-32 win over East Aurora. One more win clinches Glenbard East's second straight playoff appearance, which the program has never accomplished.
About Streamwood: The Sabres come in off a tough 23-22 loss to Elgin, their third straight defeat.
FND pick: Glenbard East.
St. Edward (4-2) at IC Catholic Prep (6-0)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Last Matchup: IC Catholic beat St. Edward 35-0 last year in Elgin.
About St. Edward: The Green Wave, after an 0-2 start, are on a roll with four straight wins – averaging over 50 points per game during that stretch. It starts with senior quarterback Anthony Holte, who threw for six touchdowns in Week 5 against Guerin.
About IC Catholic: The Knights have had two blowout wins since the Week 4 close call against Bishop McNamara. Kyle Franklin has rushed for 643 yards and 10 TDs. Danny Cronin has thrown for 860 yards and rushed for 497. IC Catholic's next three opponents have a combined record of 14-4.
FND pick: IC Catholic.
Montini (4-2) at St. Joseph (1-5)
When: Friday, time TBA
Last Matchup: Montini beat St. Joseph 55-0 last year in Lombard.
About Montini: The Broncos figure to get back on track after last week's 28-7 loss to Class 8A state-ranked Notre Dame. Nate Muersch's 40-yard TD catch from Deontay Bell was the only highlight. Bell was sidelined in the second half with an injury, but is expected to return.
About St. Joseph: The Chargers come in on a four-game losing streak. St. Joseph gives up over 50 points per game, not a good sign against Montini's potent offense.
FND pick: Montini.