The IHSA released its master 2022 football schedule on July 7. Here are the top matchups to watch, week-by-week, around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Week 1: Montini (3-6) at IC Catholic Prep (11-2), 7:15 p.m., Aug. 26

The two former Suburban Christian Conference rivals renewed acquaintances last year with the Knights winning 17-15. Montini is looking for a bounce-back season after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1992. Both teams feature dynamic underclassmen receivers, Montini with sophomore Donovan Olugbode and junior Julian Turner and IC Catholic Prep with junior KJ Parker.

Week 2: Lemont (11-1) at Nazareth (7-5), 7:30 p.m., Sept. 2

These two teams hooked up for a memorable meeting last year – Lemont’s wild 15-10 victory on a Hail Mary pass from Payton Salomon to Mike Jabaay. Nazareth has a nasty early season schedule with 2021 Class 6A runner-up Kankakee followed by Lemont and then Marist, all at home. Nazareth has a couple of big-time sophomores to watch in edge rusher Gabe Kaminski, who has offers from Illinois, Iowa and Tennessee, and quarterback Logan Malachuk. Safety Noah Taylor, a North Dakota State recruit, is among those to watch for Lemont.

Week 3: Batavia (11-1) at Wheaton North (13-1), 7 p.m., Sept. 9

2021 was a memorable season in Wheaton with the Falcons winning the Class 7A state championship. Their lone blemish? A 23-20 overtime loss to Batavia in Week 3. The two programs have played some dramatic games over the years. Big-time linebackers highlight this one. Wheaton North has Ross Dansdill at linebacker and Batavia counters with Wisconsin recruit Tyler Jansey.

Week 4: Geneva (6-5) at Wheaton Warrenville South (5-5), 7 p.m., Sept. 16

There are no gimmes in the DuKane Conference, especially with the reemergence of Geneva last season. The Vikings beat the Tigers 13-12 last year, one of the wins that signified they could not be taken lightly anymore. Senior wide receiver Braylen Meredith is among the players to watch for WW South. Geneva sophomore receiver Talyn Taylor already holds offers from Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Week 5: York (8-2) at Lyons Township (5-5), 1:30 p.m., Sept. 24

The Dukes, who last season reached the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and had their most wins since 2010, are a team with huge aspirations. Quarterback Matt Vezza leads a core group back from a team that started 6-0 last year. Lyons is trying to match what York has done in breaking back into the upper crust of the West Suburban Silver and isn’t to be taken lightly. York won last year’s matchup 14-7. Lyons junior defensive lineman Eddie Tuerk is the sixth-ranked prospect in Illinois’ Class of 2024 with 16 offers including Illinois and Iowa.

Week 6: Glenbard West (8-3) at York (8-2), 7:30 p.m., Sept. 30

The Dukes’ signature win last year was their victory on a field goal in the last seconds to beat Glenbard West for the first time since 2007. That’s a memory surely on the mind of the Hilltoppers, who have been the team to beat in the Silver in recent years. Joey Pope, a returning 1,000-yard rusher, and Wisconsin-bound lineman Chris Terek are among the players to watch for Glenbard West. David Loch anchors the York defense.

Week 7: Wheaton Warrenville South (5-5) at Wheaton North (13-1), 7:30 p.m., Oct. 7

Week 7 is rivalry week in the DuKane Conference, and none is bigger than the Wheaton crosstown matchup. Last year was a memorable game, the Falcons emerging a 10-8 winner on Seth Kortenhoeven’s last-second field goal on their way to the Class 7A state title. What’s in store for this year’s edition?

Week 8: Nazareth (7-5) at Montini (3-6), 7:30 p.m., Oct. 14

Two powerhouse parochial school programs meet in the second year of a fun new series. Nazareth won last year’s meeting 42-29, a springboard in the Roadrunners’ late-season run to a playoff bid. Both of these teams play a grind of a schedule, so this one again could have huge implications.

Week 9: Glenbard West (8-3) at Hinsdale Central (9-2), 7:30 p.m., Oct. 20

With all due respect to York, this has been the matchup to watch in the West Suburban Silver in recent years. The Red Devils took last year’s Silver crown with a 6-0 win over Glenbard West in Week 9. Both teams’ schedules are bookended with heavyweight matchups – Hinsdale Central is at Naperville Central and Glenbard West plays Marist in Week 1.