Naperville North at Homewood-Flossmoor
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday at Homewood-Flossmoor Field, 999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor.
TV: WPWR-Ch. 50.
What to watch: Does H-F (8-4) have at least one more fairy-tale ending left? Led by Iowa-bound QB Russell Ellington, Illinois-bound WR Supo Sanni and a revamped defensive line, the Vikings have strung together three straight upsets. But Naperville (11-1) could end the run with QB Jordan Tassio, RB Nick Mlady and a quick defense led by LB Kyle Lackner (6-3, 230). Ellington and Tassio should put on quite a run-and-throw duel.
Bob Sakamoto’s pick: Naperville North.
East St. Louis at Wheaton Warrenville South
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday at Red Grange Field, Butterfield and Wiesbrook Roads, Wheaton.
What to watch: East St. Louis (11-1) has size in DL Brandon Harold (6-7, 275) and Eric Howard (6-5, 320) and speed in track-star WRs Terry Hawthorne and Kraig Appleton, sophomore RB Courtney Molton and freshman RB Vincent Arterbridge. Molton, Arterbridge and Appleton have combined for 3,466 total yards. Sophomore QB Detchauz Wray has 29 total TDs. Wheaton South QB Mike Piatkowski and his precision passing game aims to keep the Flyers’ offense idling on the sideline in this Class 7A semifinal. The Tigers defense, headed by LBs Mark LaBelle, Sam Burke and Pat Dansdill, will look to contain the Flyers’ breakaway threats.
Bob Sakamoto’s pick: Wheaton South.
