Contenders and Pretenders?

Central Suburban North- it's looking more and more like three teams will be playoff bound from the CSN, and Deerfield (4-2) has two interesting games back to back this week at Highland Park (3-3) and hosting Glenbrook North (5-1) in Week 8 that should help us determine the conference champs.

Central Suburban South- Well, I guess I'll see everyone in Park Ridge on Saturday as Glenbrook South (6-0) faces off against Maine South (5-1). Can the Titans and head coach Mike Noll climb over the mountain in the CS South known as the Hawks? Also New Trier (5-1) will again be a major factor in the CSSouth race, who still have to face both Glenbrook South and Maine South this fall. Waukegan (3-3)? Head coach Pat Jennings is definitely preaching 6 wins and not 5, because after this week's showdown at New Trier, playoff points will definitely be a concern for the Bulldogs.

Chicago Catholic Blue- Could all 5 teams in the rugged Blue make the state playoff field? With it's CCL cross-over schedules kicking into effect for the next three weeks, look for all 5 CCL Blue teams to finish strong heading into the post-season. Providence Catholic (2-4) really has no room for error from here on out, but haven't we seen this act before from the Emerald Isle?

Chicago Catholic White- It looks like all five teams in the White right now have a good chance at a state playoff bid, but look harder. Fenwick (4-2), DeLaSalle (4-2) and Bishop McNamara (4-2) all look to be in good shape playoff point wise, yet getting to the magical 5 wins might not be easy as you'd think for all five teams. All five have tough games to finish out the 2007 regular season.

Chicago Public League Prairie State- Hubbard vs Morgan Park is this Thursday at 3:30PM at Gately Stadium, and this game should determine the conference winner. Dunbar (3-3) however could have a say in the matter if Hubbard beats Morgan Park, since the Mightymen face the Greyhounds in Week 8.

DuPage Valley- it's looking more and more like a Week 9 showdown between Naperville North (6-0) at Wheaton Warrenville South (6-0) could determine the DuPage Valley conference title along with a high seed in Class 8A. Beware however, since several potholes could get in the way of this projection in the always tough DVC.

East Suburban Catholic- like the DVC, the ESCC is looking more and more like a potential Week 9 matchup between Carmel (5-1) and Joliet Catholic (5-1) in Joliet. Yet several interesting matchups are still on the docket, including the Niles Notre Dame Dons (5-1) facing JCA in Joliet this Friday night along with Carmel traveling to face Nazareth Academy (4-2) on Friday. As of today eight teams from the ESCC are still thinking state playoff bids.

Fox Valley (Valley)- could someone PLEASE rename the Fox Valley conferences with other than Fox and Valley, PLEASE? Anyways, the Fox Valley Valley has five teams still thinking playoffs. Toughest schedule from here on out? No question that belongs to Cary-Grove (5-1) who travel to McHenry and rival Crystal Lake South (5-1), then face Woodstock at home to end the regular season.

Mid Suburban East- Rolling Meadows (6-0) looked impressive in beating rival Prospect (3-3) last Friday and have a big leg up in the East. Prospect (3-3)? Trust me folks, I know that those Prospect kids and coaches still have plenty in the tank despite the record. Wheeling (3-3) The Wildcats host Prospect this Friday in a HUGE game for Wheeling's playoff chances. Five wins might not get the Wildcats into the state playoff field as the playoff points at this stage (20) look awfully low.

Mid Suburban West- Fremd (6-0) could basically wrap up the conference crown with a win on Friday against Schaumburg (4-2). Palatine (3-3) will travel to Barrington (3-3) on Friday and no question this is a MUST win for both teams. Hoffman Estates (2-4) still has an outside chance at a state playoff bid but Fremd looms on the Hawks schedule in Week 8.

North Suburban Lake- Both Lake Zurich (5-1) and Lake Forest (5-1) look safe from a playoff points standpoint, yet the most interesting ride from here on out with be the battle between the 3-3 teams. Stevenson, Libertyville and Warren are all at 3-3 heading into this week's games and I get the feeling that at least one of these teams could be hard pressed to get to 5 wins on Playoff Pairings night.

North Suburban Prairie- See above, except replace Grant (6-0) and Wauconda (5-1) with Lake Zurich and Lake Forest. The add North Chicago, Vernon Hills and Antioch in place of Libertyville, Stevenson and Warren.

SICA East- Could Thornton (2-4) go from 0-4 to say 5-4 and win a conference championship? TF South (5-1) will try to derail the Wildcats plans this Friday in Lansing. Bloom (3-3) has an outside shot at a state playoff bid but the Blazing Trojans will also be playoff point counting from here on out.

SICA South- Crete-Monee (5-1) will travel to Park Forest on Saturday to take on Rich East (5-1) in a game that will most likely decide the conference title. If Rich South (3-3) can get to five wins they would be in the state playoff field, yet Kankakee (3-3) would also be counting up it's playoff points thru the end of the regular season.

South Suburban Blue- Lemont (5-1) and Oak Forest (5-1) will square off in Week 8. Both Bremen (4-2) and Hillcrest (4-2) still have work to do but they both could wind up with state playoff bids.

South Suburban Red- Richards (6-0) is rolling, yet the interesting story has been the rebound of the Reavis Rams (4-2) this fall. Reavis was 0-9 last year yet look for head coach James McDonough to have his Rams thinking 6 wins and not 5 based off of it's low playoff point total (22) along with Argo (4-2 with 22 playoff points). Eisenhower (4-2) and first year head coach Travis Moore look to be in good shape but have two biggies coming up in Richards and Argo.

Southwest Prairie- You guess is as good as anyone's in this well balanced conference race. Morris (4-2) is so far undefeated in conference play, but 6 other teams here are still thinking state playoffs.

Southwest Suburban Blue- Bolingbrook (4-2) and Lincoln-Way East (5-1) look safe, but Lockport (3-3) and Sandburg (2-4) look like they could have trouble ahead. The eagles and the Porters still need to face Bolingbrook and East on the schedule.

Southwest Suburban Red- Lincoln-Way Central (5-1) has the better overall record and a win last Friday over Homewood-Floosmoor (4-2) in conference play, yet the Red remains a traffic jam since all five teams are still thinking state playoff bid.

Suburban Catholic-the fun begins this week when Marian Central Catholic (6-0) host Montini Catholic (6-0). Driscoll Catholic (6-0) also gets to still face both the Hurricanes and the Broncos to finish the regular season. Marmion Academy (3-3) has a very good chance at a state playoff bid but has a MUST win game this Saturday at Immaculate Conception (2-4).

Upstate 8- According to my fuzzy math, 8 out of the the Upstate 8's 11 teams (hey, can we fix this conference name as well please?) still are thinking playoffs. So who will make it from the Upstate? Sorry, my brain does not compute yet.

West Suburban Gold- Downers Grove South (6-0) is in the state playoff field, yet five other schools are also thinking state playoffs here, A handful of those same schools better look hard at it's playoff point totals before ordering those state playoff T-Shirts however.

West Suburban Silver- all I know for sure is that Proviso West (1-5) and Downers Grove North (1-5) will be staying home come playoff time. Other than that, the Silver is still wide open. Best story so far? For me it has to be Glenbard West (3-3), yet 1st year head coach Chad Hetlet still has Lyons (5-1) and Hinsdale Central (5-1) on the schedule.

Western Sun- Only Geneva (6-0) has reserved a table at the state playoffs so far, yet the remaining 7 teams all are thinking state playoffs. Did anyone else expect anything less from the fun to follow Western Sun conference?