CSN Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school football games across Chicagoland on the Week 5 edition of High School Lites, Friday at 11 p.m. Can Fenwick continue its dream season and shock top-ranked Loyola Academy? Can Glenabrd North beat upstart Naperville North in another pivotal DuPage Valley contest? Can Huntley slow down Cary-Grove in this critical Fox Valley Conference game? And who comes away with a win when St. Patrick travels to Niles to take on Notre Dame in this huge annual ESCC rivalry game?
Herscher at Coal City, 7 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Herscher (4-0/2-0) has surprised several Interstate 8 Conference observers when it beat preseason favorite Plano 25-8 in Week 2. Coal City (3-1/1-1) and veteran head coach Lenny Onsen will look to bounce back this week after losing to Manteno 21-14 last Friday. Can the Coalers defense slow down Herscher QB Tyler Jones and company?
EDGY's Pick: Herscher 27, Coal City 24
Huntley at No. 21 Cary-Grove, 7:15 p.m.
EDGY's Take: The Fox Valley Conference has started to shake out and both Huntley (3-1/3-1) and Cary-Grove (3-1/3-1) are looking up at Prairie Ridge (4-0) in the standings. Cary-Grove, coached by Brad Seaburg, is all about its power running game and a quick, hard-hitting defense. Huntley and first-year head coach Matt Zimolczak will rely on junior do-it-all QB Eric Mooney and Illinois verbal commit DE Olalere Oladipo on defense. Will Cary-Grove All State FB Ty Pennington be at full strength this week? Can the Huntley offense dent the Trojans defense?
EDGY's Pick: Cary-Grove 21, Huntley 14
St. Rita vs. No. 9 Mt. Carmel, 7:30 p.m. *at Gately Stadium*
EDGY's Take: It’s one of the oldest rivalries in the Chicago Catholic League, dating back to 1908. St. Rita (2-2/1-0) has been able to put up points so far this season behind QB Jake Zylman and his main target has been senior WR Tim Zaleski; however, the Mustangs defense was torched for 455 yards on the ground in last week's 45-42 loss to St. Laurence. Mount Carmel (3-1/0-1) and Hall of Fame head coach Frank Lenti's offense is all about the running game. The Caravan has a stable of capable backs, including senior RB Michael Kennedy (NIU) along with junior RB/WR Alek Thomas. Can the St. Rita defense figure out the Caravan option offense and find the football?
EDGY's Pick: Mount Carmel 36, St. Rita 28
No. 1 Loyola vs. No. 12 Fenwick, 7:30 p.m. *at Triton College*
EDGY's Take: This Chicago Catholic League cross-over has suddenly become a huge showdown, compliments of Fenwick's great start along with Loyola Academy’s (4-0) ability to live up to the preseason hype. The Ramblers will look toward senior QB Tommy Herion, who is behind one of the top offensive lines in Chicagoland, for points. Fenwick (4-0) also features a big-time playmaker in senior QB Jacob Keller. The Friars also feature very strong line play on both sides of the football. Can the Loyola defense clamp down on the Friars offense? Can the Fenwick defense slow down the Loyola no-huddle spread attack?
EDGY's Pick: Loyola 31, Fenwick 24
St. Patrick at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: You should always expect a hard-hitting, very physical game any time these two ESCC rivals play. Notre Dame (3-1/2-0) and veteran head coach Mike Hennessey has gotten big contributions so far this season from a handful of underclassmen on offense, including sophomore RB Ty Gavin plus QB Tom Drabik. St. Patrick (4-0/2-0), under veteran head coach Dan Galante, has also brought along this year's talented senior group, with several having started for the Shamrocks since their sophomore year. Can Notre Dame shut down the big play capabilities of the St. Patrick passing attack, led by senior QB Anthony Mazzenga? Can St. Pats’ defense also find an answer for the Dons’ running game?
EDGY's Pick: St. Patrick, 42 Notre Dame 41
No. 5 Brother Rice at Providence, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Brother Rice (4-0/0-0) enters CCL Blue play on a serious roll. The Crusaders offense is as potent as ever behind senior QB Dino Norrelli and a host of talented backs and receivers including Illinois verbal commit WR Ricky Smalling and senior RB Xazavian Valladay. Providence Catholic (2-2/0-1) has struggled at times but its offense was locked in last week as senior QB Jared Drake passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-14 win over St. Ignatius. Providence also will get the football into the hands of senior RB Richie Warfield as much as possible. Can the Celtics defense contain the Crusaders offense?
EDGY's Pick: Brother Rice 35, Providence Catholic 27
No. 8 Glenbard North at No. 24 Naperville North, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Glenbard North (3-1/2-1) was able to kick its running game in high gear last Saturday in beating Thornton 45-21. Senior RB Vittorio Tricase is off to a terrific start this season for the Panthers. Naperville North (4-0/3-0) and head coach Sean Drendel have been one of the big turnaround stories after a 2-7 season in 2015. The Huskies have gotten it done with an experienced team plus a strong running game led by senior RB Eric Wright. Can Glenbard North's defense slow down the Huskies running game? Can Naperville North corral Panthers RB Vittorio Tricase?
EDGY's Pick: Glenbard North 28, Naperville North 21
Thornton at No. 6 Lincoln-Way East, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Thornton (1-3/0-1) and head coach Dontrell Jackson has been able to score plenty of points, led by QB William Storey. The Wildcats, however, have struggled on the defensive side of the ball. Lincoln-Way East (3-1/1-1) got off to a slow start in its 41-23 win over Bolingbrook last Friday, but the Griffins rotating quarterbacks senior Jake Arthur and senior Max Shafer kicked the offense into high gear in the second half. Can Thornton's defense come to play this week?
EDGY's Pick: Lincoln-Way East 38, Thornton 14
St. Ignatius at St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: St. Ignatius (3-1) will look to bounce back after taking one on the chin last week 48-14 to Providence Catholic. The Wolfpack wants to establish the running game/veer option attack led by RB Tim Plomin. St. Joseph (4-0) has already tied its school record for wins this season. Can the Chargers step up their level of play this week?
EDGY's Pick: St. Ignatius 31, St. Joseph 19
Viewers’ Choice Game of the Week
East Chicago Central at Hammond Morton, 7 p.m.
If there’s one thing that defines Morton (3-2), it has to be resillience. First-year head coach Sean Kinsey is the third coach in three seasons for the Governors. They have a chance to get to 4-2 with the likes of QB Tevin Armstrong and WR Trashan Clemons leading the way. The visiting Cardinals (3-1) are coming off a 49-0 thrashing of Hammond Clark. Quarterback Devonte Jones not only leads the offense, but also plays corner and contributes on special teams.