Top seeds: Stevenson, Waubonsie Valley, Oswego.
Last season: Naperville Central defeated Loyola 13-10.
Favorite: Stevenson
Dark horse: Oak Park-River Forest
Best first-round game: Brother Rice-Naperville Central. These might be the best two teams in the lower half of the bracket, but we’ll never know because they’re matched up in the first round.
Toughest road to Champaign: No. 1 Stevenson and No. 8 Loyola will not both reach the quarterfinal because they are set up to meet in a heavyweight second-round showdown. The winner will likely play New Trier in a quarterfinal and either Glenbard West, Maine South or Oak Park to reach the championship game.
Don’t forget about: Homewood-Flossmoor is as explosive on offense as any team in the state. Glenbard West and Maine South are 18-0 between them with histories of success on their sides. Edwardsville is a sleeper.
Difference-makers: Cameron Green, Stevenson; Darius Crump, Warren; Dion Earls, Jr. Simeon; Bobby McMillen, Naperville Central; Marcus Jones, Brother Rice; Broc Rutter, Neuqua Valley; Bryson Oliver, Metea Valley; Sam Brodner, Glenbard West; Tommy Galanopoulos, Niles West; Kyle Pugh, Bloom.
FYI: Glenbard West is in 8A for the first time. The “Hitters” are 19-6 in the 7A playoffs since Chad Hetlet became head coach in 2007. They won the title in 2012 and finished second in 2009.
