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Class 7A
No. 12 St. Rita (9-2) at No. 4 St. Charles North (10-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About the North Stars: St. Charles North is riding a 10-game winning streak. Headlined by two-way standout RB/LB Drew Surges, the North Stars have rolled since their Week 1 loss to Palatine. Their formula to win starts with establishing Surges and then opening up passing opportunities for Will Vaske to a host of receivers. Defensively, the North Stars have been mostly excellent limiting big plays and chunk yardage.
About the Mustangs: St. Rita balanced a two-quarterback system in the regular season, but appears settled on junior QB Jett Hilding, who threw three touchdown passes last week in a win over Prospect. Mustangs running back DJ Stewart has been effective as just one of several playmakers on offense. Defensively, Rita has done well in the turnover margin and that’s always a key to win games, particularly on the road.
Up Next: The winner plays either Mt. Carmel or Brother Rice in the semifinal
Friday Night Drive Pick: St. Charles North
No. 7 Yorkville (10-1) No. 18 Batavia (8-3)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About the Bulldogs: Batavia survived double overtime in an ultimate win over previously undefeated Hersey last week. Th Bulldogs’ recipe for success begins on the ground with Ryan Whitwell and star linebacker Tyler Jansey has been unleashed as a situational rusher. Jansey has been a machine on both sides of the ball production-wise. Drew Gerke is as dangerous as anyone left in the field on special teams, so look for field position to be a key aspect in this one.
About the Foxes: Like Batavia, Yorkville is battle-tested in overtime situations. Yorkville survived quadruple overtime last week to defeat Moline. Defensively, the Foxes are led by Colorado State recruit Andrew Laurich, Wyoming commit Jake Davies and Blake Kersting on their fierce D-Line. Offensively, standout running back Gio Zeman, who has rushed for 973 yards and six TDs this season, is questionable for this week with a shoulder injury. Josh Gettemy will then get the lion’s share of carries in that scenario.
Up next: The winner advances to the semifinal round against the winner between No. 11 Lake Zurich (10-1) and No. 3 Pekin (11-0).
FND Pick: Batavia
-- Joshua Welge contributed to this capsule.
Class 4A
No. 3 St. Francis (10-1) at No. 7 Rochelle (9-2)
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
About the Spartans: “Rochelle is a well-oiled machine,” St. Francis coach Bob McMillen said. “They do everything well. This program knows how to win and has been to the dance before.” McMillen said an increased attention to detail has paid off in the playoffs. “I think our boys are more focused and are working on the little things,” he said. “We also are getting to the football on defense.” Special teams play also has been key. “The third phase of football usually doesn’t get enough credit,” McMillen noted. “I thought our specials have really picked up the last half of the season, especially last week with a huge punt block for a touchdown.” St. Francis hasn’t allowed a point in the playoffs. “It’s tough enough to beat teams, but when you are able to shut out two very good teams in the first two rounds, that’s pretty good.”
Senior two-way lineman and Illinois recruit TJ McMillen was cited for his strong leadership skills in the postseason. “Just having his leadership skills out there has really helped the other boys,” Bob McMillen said. “This is TJ’s fourth trip to the playoffs and he knows what’s at stake, so I think the other boys are feeding off him.” Wide receiver-defensive back Dash Dorsey also has been a key cog in the playoffs. “Dash has been a one-man wrecking crew doing what he’s doing in the playoffs,” McMillen said. “It seems every time he touches the ball, he’s running for a touchdown.” McMillen added running back Brady Piper “is running the ball as hard as anyone in the playoffs right now,” he said. “This kid has really picked up his game and has continued to pick up the tough yards for us.” Defensive back-wide receive Connor Shields has come up big in the defensive backfield for the Spartans. “Connor is doing everything right,” McMillen said. “He has become our leader in the back on defense and continues to make play after play.” McMillen added Jaylen Torres is exceling on the St. Francis defensive line. “Jaylen is another kid playing extremely well on the defensive line,” he said. “He’s not getting many stats, but he’s eating up double teams and really doing the dirty work so our linebackers can get to the ball.” In the last two weeks, defensive lineman Joey Ayala has five sacks, four tackles for loss and almost 15 tackles. “Joey is another kid not getting the recognition he deserves,” McMillen said. “He continues to make play after play for this football team.”
About the Hubs: Rochelle, out of the Kishwaukee River/Interstate Eight Conference Blue Division, needed overtime to defeat Dixon 42-36 in the first round and then downed conference foe Johnsburg 34-22 last week. “St. Francis has a number of standout athletes with future plans,” Hubs coach Kyle Kissack said. “They can score from any spot on the field and play disciplined defense. We are focused on being the best version of ourselves. We play a simple brand of football with a team-oriented mindset.” Kissack said Rochelle has had success on offense due to that team-first approach in its running game. “Our running backs complement each other well and are primary blockers in the offensive scheme,” he said. Senior Garrett Gensler, in 10 game’s of stats, has 1,653 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns as the lead back in Rochelle’s wing-T offense. Fullback Trey Taft is at 921 yards and 10 TDs.
Rochelle played four playoff teams during the regular season and went 2-2, losing 34-0 to 5A power Sycamore (11-0) and 41-20 to 3A upper-bracket top seed Richmond-Burton (11-0), which won the conference.
Up next: The winner advances to the semifinal round against the winner between No. 1 Richmond-Burton (11-0) and No. 13 Providence (7-4).
FND pick: St. Francis