High school football coaches, players and fans are hoping for a sequel to the resurgence the sport enjoyed last fall. One of the key factors in attracting record-breaking crowds was big showdowns between traditional powers.
Already, football folks in Naperville are anticipating a record turnout on Sept. 8 when No. 1-ranked Central visits No. 4 North in what could be the Chicago area’s best game of the regular season.
Mark your calendars with this rundown of the top games.
Friday, Aug. 25
– Naperville North at Palatine: The state’s top quarterback prospect Scott Kavanagh of Naperville vs. Palatine’s two-time All-State linebacker Mike Burden.
– Downers Grove South at Stevenson: Rematch of Class 6A playoff encounter won by Downers South 19-14.
– Bishop McNamara at Kankakee: Crosstown rivals featuring two of the state’s most explosive running backs, Lee Lafayette of McNamara and Lorenzo Smith of Kankakee.
Saturday, Aug. 26
– Joliet Catholic at Mt. Carmel: Renewal of what has been the most entertaining season opener the last three years.
– Providence at St. Rita: Defending 5A champion will be tested by traditional Catholic League power.
Sunday, Aug. 27
– East St. Louis at Simeon: The Downstate power is an early favorite in 5A while Simeon might be the Public League’s best.
Sept. 1
– Joliet Catholic at Naperville North: Which can recover faster from its strenuous opener?
– Wheaton-Warrenville South at Waubonsie Valley: A veritable 6A playoff preview.
– Mt. Carmel at Marian Catholic: Two of the finest parochial programs around.
– Oswego at Geneseo Darnall: Oswego’s biggest regular-season challenge.
Sept. 2
– Palatine at Hoffman Estates: Showdown of Mid-Suburban League divisional favorites.
– Thornwood at Bolingbrook: Can the Thornwood defense contain Bolingbrook gamebreakers Nii Hammond and Marcus Smith?
Sept. 8
– Naperville Central at Naperville North: They could be the two best teams in the state.
Sept. 9
– Homewood-Flossmoor at Thornwood: Winner gets the inside track for SICA Blue title.
Sept. 15
– King at Dunbar: Come see why so many colleges are interested in Dunbar’s 6-4, 260-pound Johnnie Jones.
Sept. 16
– Brother Rice at St. Rita: Bobie Singleton is the latest in Rita’s tradition of Division I wide receivers.
Sept. 22
– Mt. Carmel at Bishop McNamara: Winner becomes the No. 1 contender for league favorite Brother Rice.
– Buffalo Grove at Hersey: Winner is No. 1 contender for MSL North favorite Palatine.
Sept. 23
– New Trier at Evanston: Once again, a showstopper along the North Shore.
– Fenwick at Loyola: Could decide the Catholic League North champion.
– York at Glenbard West: Could decide the West Suburban Silver titlist.
Sept. 29
– Naperville Central at Wheaton-Warrenville South: Can Naperville’s triple threat offense (QB Tim Lavery, RB Jim Tumilty, WR Jason Scherer) overcome Wheaton’s fastest team in school history?
– Maine South at Maine West: Showdown of Central Suburban North favorites.
Sept. 30
– Bishop McNamara at Brother Rice: Rice’s defense headed by Joe Carroll must contain the elusive Lafayette.
Oct. 6
– Brother Rice at Mt. Carmel: Could decide the Catholic League South title.
– Kankakee at Richards: Kankakee’s Smith vs. Richards’ Dwayne Goodrich in a showdown to decide the SICA Orange title.
– McHenry at Lake Zurich: Must be title night since this one probably decides the Fox Valley champ.
– Proviso East at Downers Grove South: The Mustangs could wrap up a 12th straight league title at Proviso’s expense.
Oct. 7
– Thornton at Thornwood: The beginning of Thornton’s season-ending triple challenge.
– Young at Lane: Winner should claim the Public League North title.
Oct. 13
– Buffalo Grove at Palatine: Biggest MSL North showdown.
– Marian Catholic at Joliet Catholic: Collision of the two best in the East Suburban Catholic.
– Libertyville at Stevenson: Should crown the North Suburban king.
Oct. 14
– Homewood-Flossmoor at Thornton: The SICA game of the year that should determine a league champion.
Oct. 20
– Naperville North at Wheaton-Warrenville South: Will either decide the DuPage Valley title or have severe playoff implications.
– Thornton at Sandburg: Can Thornton stay revved up for three straight weeks?
– Downers Grove North at Downers Grove South: Always a fierce battle for town bragging rights.
Oct. 21
– Schaumburg at Hoffman Estates: The MSL South titlist should emerge.
