The Great Equalizer

So what in the world is the Great Equalizer?

Well, you've heard of the Great Pumpkin yet the Great Equalizer made it's expected annual appearance on Friday night. Rain and sloppy conditions hit the greater Chicagoland area hard, and the Great Equalizer took full effect. Several teams were either forced out of it's game plans entirely or tried to throw the ball to little or no effect.

Generally we'll have at least a few week's filled with the Great Equalizer yet so far this year we've seen very little bad weather on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Once the bad weather hits, scores and generally high flying passing attacks get grounded.

Top matchups to watch this week?

Make sure to check my website at www.edgytim.com for more of this freaky in-depth playoff coverage stuff.

Class 8A

#5 Park Ridge (Maine South) (9-1) at #4 Glenview (Glenbrook South) (9-1), Sat. 7 p.m.- I was able to see the Week 7 showdown of these two Central Suburban South rivals. Glenbrook South was driving at the end of the game and just missed getting into the end zone, as the Hawks held on for the 28-21 win in Park Ridge. In the first matchup, Maine South's spread offense took advantage of the Titans defense that tried to take away the Hawks short and intermediate routes, and the Hawks senior RB David Chao had a big day. Look for the Titans and head coach Mike Noll to pull a few surprises this time around in what looks to be an outstanding rematch filled with intensity.

#7 Bolingbrook (8-2) at #2 Naperville (North) (9-1), Fri. 7 p.m.- talk about two teams heading on a collision course. The Bolingbrook Raidera and head coach John Ivlow has his team playing very solid football in all aspects. The Raiders defense has allowed just 82 points all season, and the offense has improved each week and is led by Wisconsin verbal commit Erik Smith and senior QB Shadonta Travis. The Raiders will run it's spread offense and takes advantage of some serious skills and speed. Naperville North offers senior QB Jordan Tassio, one of the top signal callers in Chicagoland this fall. Tassio can beat teams in several ways, and is equally talented throwing or running the ball along with kicking and punting for the Huskies. North and head coach Larry McKeon also boasts an outstanding defense this fall, having allowed just 92 points in 10 games this season. The difference in this one? Execution. Whoever holds onto the ball and keeps the penalties to a minimum should pull out the win.

Class 7A

#4 Chicago (St. Rita) (7-3) at #1 Wheaton (W. Warrenville South) (10-0), Fri. 7 p.m.- My oh my. Red Grange Field in Wheaton will be rocking again this Friday night, and make sure to get there early. The defending Class 7A state champs (St. Rita) against the defending Class 8A champs (Wheaton South) will feature two outstanding programs with two completely different styles. St. Rita and head coach Todd Kuska features a Super Sized offensive line featuring Western Michigan verbal commit OG Kevin Galeher and plenty of skills including senior QB Jason Kafka. The defense for the Mustangs is also big and physical and keep an eye out on Notre Dame verbal commit DE Darius Fleming and a very deep and talented group of linebackers. Wheaton South? The Tigers and head coach Ron Muhitch just outplay and outhustle most comers. While the Tigers will again be over-sized physically in this matchup with the CCL Blue, look for South to utilize it's outstanding team speed on both sides of the ball as an equalizer to the Mustangs beef. South senior QB Michael Piatkowski has quietly been one of the state's most effective signal callers all season.

Class 6A

#5 Chicago (Hubbard) (8-2) at #4 Oak Forest (9-1), Sat. 5 p.m.- the Hubbard Greyhounds and the Oak Forest Bengals will once again square off in the Class 6A state playoffs. Last year these two played in a steady downpour at Gately Stadium as the Bengals won and went on to Class 6A semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Normal Community. Oak Forest this year you ask? It's all about the defense this season for head coach Brian McDonough. The Bengals have allowed just 82 points all season, and the experience factor for the Bengals this season is on the defensive side of the ball. Senior DL Mike Johns (Miami of Ohio) is a definite player to watch along with ILB Chad Sprayberry and senior Chori Bryant. Offensively, senior QB Ron Czarnecki has gotten better and better each week, and the Bengals also feature several speedy and talented underclassmen in it;s offensive backfield. Hubbard? Head coach Elton Harris knew that he had quite a task this season, as Harris would need to replace several key starters from last season this fall. While the Greyhounds might be young this fall they are definitely talented. Senior RB Emery Oliver is a very solid back, and the Greyhounds are loaded with a ton of talented skill position players. On the defensive side of the ball. junior LB Darius Moffet is a player to watch.

Class 5A

#7 Woodstock (Marian) (8-2) at #2 Lombard (Montini) (9-1), Sat. 1 p.m.- this rematch between two Suburban Catholic league powers will be quite an affair on Saturday in Lombard. Montini handled the Hurricanes 33-0 back in Week 7 of the regular season, yet Marian Central Catholci was without the services of injured junior QB Jon Budmayr. Budmayr is back and last week threw 22 of 38 passes for 440 yards and three touchdowns in the Hurricanes 46-27 win over Sterling. Can having Jon Budmayr be the difference in this rematch for the Hurricanes? Marian Central Catholic also features a very solid offensive line led by Notre Dame verbal commit Sean Cwyna. Montini will counter with it's own standout junior quarterback in Tom DiCristina and a host of Division 1 talent in senior RB Dex Jones (Wisconsin), senior OT Chuck Porcelli (Northwestern) and senior OL-DL Garrett Goebel (Ohio State).