CSN Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school football games across Chicagoland on the Week 7 edition of High School Lites. Can Hinsdale Central beat longtime rival Lyons Township in La Grange? Can Lakes beat undefeated Antioch in a huge Northern Lake County conference showdown? Can Stevenson's offense score against the always-tough Lake Zurich Bears defense? And can T.F. South upset Lemont?
Programming Note: Due to Cubs postgame coverage of the NLDS Game 1, High School Lites will be seen in its entirety at a special time this week: Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Highlights, however, will be made available on csnchicago.com late Friday night.
All games Friday unless otherwise specified.
Taft vs. Lincoln Park, 4:15 p.m. at Lane Tech (Thursday)
EDGY's Take: A huge CPL Chicago Big Shoulders conference showdown here. Could this be the last week of games in the Chicago Public League, given a potential teachers strike looming? Lincoln Park (6-0/4-0) has been scoring a ton of points. Senior QB Jake Dowell and a deep backfield are key for the Lions. Taft (5-1/3-0), whose only loss came in week 1 to Mount Carmel, have a big time playmaker in senior QB Abdullah Ahmad. Keep an eye out for Eagles senior OL Adam Gago (6-foot-4, 280 pounds). Who can make a few key stops?
EDGY's Pick: Taft 38, Lincoln Park 35
Rich Central at Crete-Monee, 6:00 p.m. (Viewers’ Choice Game)
EDGY's Take: Crete-Monee (4-2/3-0) and head coach John Konecki has been perfect so far in Southland conference play. The Warriors feature senior QB Isaiah Rucker and a ton of other weapons on offense. Their defense also has talent, including D-1 recruit senior DT John Mitchell and senior DB Juawan Treadwell. Rich Central features one of the state's biggest lines including senior OT David High and senior DT Caylon May. Can the Warriors defense match up against the Olympians’ line? Can Rich Central's defense handle the multiple weapons from the Crete-Monee offense?
EDGY's Pick: Crete-Monee 35, Rich Central 21
T.F. South at Lemont, 7:00 p.m.
EDGY's Take: T.F. South (5-1/3-0) and veteran head coach Tom Padjen will look towards his nephew, senior QB Reis Padjen, along with senior WR Bron Hill and junior RB Preston Gunn, to lead an explosive Rebels offense. Lemont (6-0/3-0) can also score points in bunches behind senior QB Spencer Nagel and one of Nagel's main targets is his younger brother, junior Austin Nagel. Can the Lemont defensive secondary slow down the Rebels offense? Can the T.F. South defense get the Lemont offense off the field quickly?
EDGY's Pick: Lemont 28, TF South 19
Lakes at Antioch, 7:15 p.m.
EDGY's Take: These two old North Suburban Prairie foes have picked up and moved over to the newly-formed Northern Lake County conference. Antioch (6-0/4-0) and head coach Brian Glashagel have put up a ton of offense behind a power running attack, led by QB Braden Gallimore and RB Brandon Lind. Lakes (4-2/4-0) struggled early but have since won four straight games. The Eagles, under head coach Luke Mertens, have always has talent and speed. Northwestern commit senior RB/DB Cameron Ruiz will be the fastest player on the field Friday night. Can the Sequoits defense contain multiple Lakes’ weapons? Can the Lakes defense get the football back from the run-happy Antioch offense?
EDGY's Pick: Lakes 34, Antioch 27
No. 5 Lincoln-Way East at Sandburg, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Lincoln-Way East (5-1/3-1) has been very solid ever since Week 3's 35-30 loss to H-F. The Griffins will rely on multiple weapons on offense, which includes senior QBs Jake Arthur and Max Shafer, along with senior RB Nigel Muhammed. Sandburg (2-4/2-2) and first year head coach Scott Peters has been dealing with a rash of injuries this season. They’ve also been playing a ton of underclassmen. Can the Eagles slow down the Griffins offense?
EDGY's Pick: Lincoln-Way East 43, Sandburg 12
No. 9 Hinsdale Central at No. 8 Lyons, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Huge local rivalry game when Hinsdale Central (6-0/4-0) travels to Lyons Township (6-0/3-0). Hinsdale Central will look towards senior QB Josh Bean (Columbia) and a strong supporting cast including junior WR/TE Matt Bjorson and a big, physical offensive line. Lyons Township was able to beat Downers Grove North last week minus standout junior QB Ben Bryant who sat out due to injury. The Lions relied on senior RB Reggie Terrell and a strong defensive effort. Will Bryant play this week? Can the Lyons defense slow down the Red Devils offense?
EDGY's Pick: Lyons Township 32, Hinsdale Central 31 OT
No. 15 Stevenson at Lake Zurich, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Stevenson (5-1/4-0) and head coach Bill McNamara have received a huge season from senior QB Aidan O'Connell. He has thrown for nearly 1,900 yards so far this season. O'Connnell's main targets are senior twins WRs Henry and Michael Marchese. Lake Zurich (5-1/4-0) has switched up its offense to the spread look with senior QB Evan Lewandowski. He has played well, and the Bears also can run the football. The defense remains as tough as ever. Keep an eye on junior LB Jack Sanborn. So who wins out this week: offense (Stevenson) or defense (Lake Zurich)? Can the Bears defense limit the Patriots’ touches on offense? Can the Lake Zurich offense control time of possession and finish drives with points?
EDGY's Pick: Stevenson 21, Lake Zurich 13