High School Lites Week 8 capsules and picks

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CSN Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school football games across Chicagoland on the Week 8 edition of High School Lites. Can Barrington beat Palatine in a huge Mid-Suburban West showdown? Can Bradley upset Lincoln-Way East in this Southwest Suburban conference matchup? Can Benet Academy win on the road at Marist? And can Lyons or Oak Park-River Forest get back on track this week?

All games Friday unless otherwise mentioned.

Simeon vs. Curie @ Rockne Stadium, Thursday 4:15 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Conference championship game for the Chicago Public League’s Illini Red Bird conference. Simeon (4-3/4-0) has been battle tested all year. Look for the Wolverines to get the football into the hands of junior do-it-all athlete Jayshon Jackson as much as possible. Curie (6-1/4-0) and head coach Jay McDonagh will rely on a veteran offensive line, anchored by senior RB/LB Anthony Watson. Can the Curie defense contain the overall speed and big play potential of Simeon? Can the Wolverines get the football back from the Curie offense/running game?

EDGY's Pick: Simeon 27, Curie 22

Solorio vs. No. 20 Phillips, 7 p.m. at Mandrake Park

EDGY's Take: This Chicago Public League Illini Land of Lincoln conference title game will feature Solorio (6-1/4-0) taking on defending Class 4A state champion Phillips (6-1/4-0). Solorio is coached by Matt Erlenbaugh and his offense is led by junior QB Quincy Patterson. Patterson is already drawing major BCS level interest and offers this fall and has led the Sun Warriors' offensive surge. They have scored 364 points so far this year. Phillips also has its own standout junior QB in junior J'Bore Gibbs. The Wildcats are a talented team on both sides of the football. Can Solorio handle Phillips' offensive and defensive lines? 

EDGY's Pick: Phillips 42, Solorio 21

Chicago Hope Academy at Ottawa Marquette, 7 p.m.

EDGY's Take: A huge game, not only in the Northeastern Athletic Conference, but also for claiming a higher seed in the upcoming IHSA 1A playoffs. Ottawa Marquette (7-0/6-0) and head coach Tom Jobst has a strong group of backs in a Crusaders offense that has put up 356 points so far in 2016. Keep an eye on RB Ryan Donahue and FB Zach Dyche. As for Hope Academy (7-0/7-0) and head coach Matt Kelly, they're also scoring a ton this fall. Watch for QB Trevor Land, senior RB/DB Bryan Garmon and junior slot Najee Harris. Hope Academy senior OL/DL Derrell Grisby is also a force up front for the Eagles.

EDGY's Pick: Hope Academy 42, Ottawa Marquette 41

No. 23 IC Catholic Prep at Glenbard South, 7:15 p.m.

EDGY's Take: IC Catholic Prep (7-0/3-0) has been on a serious roll all season heading into this Metro Suburban Blue showdown. The Knights feature a BCS recruit, senior RB Jordan Rowell and senior QB Luke Ricobene. The defense has allowed just 66 points all season. Glenbard South (5-2/3-0) can also put up points in a hurry behind senior RB Sean Cooke and senior QB Drew Mlinarich. Can the IC defense contain the Glenbard South offense? Can anyone slow down the Knights, period?

EDGY's Pick: IC Catholic Prep 39, Glenbard South 21

No. 3 Brother Rice at St. Rita, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Brother Rice (7-0/2-0) head coach Brian Badke might have his best team this fall since he's been at 99th and Pulaski. Senior QB Dino Morrelli has been terrific leading the Rice spread passing game. Senior WR Ricky Smalling (Illinois) is a difference maker. St. Rita (4-3/2-1) and head coach Todd Kuska are running the football this season with QB Jake Zylman and a big, strong offensive line. Can the St. Rita defense contain the Rice offense?

EDGY's Pick: Brother Rice 35, St. Rita 21

No. 5 Lincoln-Way East at No. 18 Bradley-Bourbonnais, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Lincoln-Way East (6-1/4-1) has been on a roll since a Week 3 loss to H-F. The Griffins offense is led by senior QB Jake Arthur, QB Max Shafer and senior RB Nigel Muhammed. Bradley (7-0/4-0) has big play ability with senior QB Morion Burtis and Iowa commit WR/DB Cam Harrell. The Boilermakers defense is quick and athletic, led by senior Tyrone Leftridge and Damien Williams. Can the Griffins win on the road at Bradley? Can East's depth prove too much for the Boilers?

EDGY's Pick: Lincoln-Way East 24, Bradley 14

Benet at No. 9 Marist, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: It's a matchup of the top two teams from the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Benet Academy (6-1/5-0) has won six straight games after losing in Week 1 to St. Laurence. The Redwings have a senior-laden team, featuring QB Jack Sznajder, RB/LB Alec McEachern and LB Ryan Liszka. Marist (6-1/5-0) has also been strong since a Week 1 loss to Brother Rice. The Redhawks will rely on their spread offense plus a defense featuring several D-1 level recruits including senior LB Micah Awodiran (Yale), senior DB Robert Topps (Kansas) and a deep group of underclassmen. Can the Benet offense control time of possession? Can the Marist offense strike quick and finish drives against Benet?

EDGY's Pick: Marist 34, Benet 31 (OT)

No. 4 Palatine at No. 11 Barrington, 7:30 p.m. (#SendEdgy)

EDGY's Take: A much anticipated Mid-Suburban West showdown here. Palatine (7-0/3-0) will rely on standout senior QB Zach Oles, RB Joshua Turner and a deep group in the skills department. They also feature a strong offensive line. Barrington (7-0/3-0) also will rely on an extra large-sized, senior heavy offensive line. The Broncos also have speedy weapons in senior RB Logan Moews and senior QB Ray Niro. The Barrington defense has also been strong all season long, led by Navy-bound seniors: DE Jackson Perkins and LB Blake Holley. Can Palatine slow down the Barrington running game? Can the Barrington defense contain Oles and the versatile Pirates offense? Last possession wins?

EDGY's Pick: Palatine 35, Barrington 28

No. 10 Lyons at No. 16 Oak Park-River Forest, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Both Lyons Township (6-1/3-1) and Oak Park-River Forest (6-1/3-1) are looking to rebound from losses last week. Lyons, in last week's 28-21 loss to Hinsdale Central, just couldn't seem to get its offense going until the second half — and then came up a bit short. The Lions will rely on junior QB Ben Bryant along with a defense that has good size up front and speed all over the field. OPRF couldn't find a way to slow down Glenbard West in last Saturday's 56-39 loss. The Huskies also have a standout QB in senior Jeremy Hunt. They are also never short in the speed and talent department. Will the Lyons offense show up for four quarters? Can we ask the same from the OPRF defense?

EDGY's Pick: Lyons Township 37, OPRF 24

Viewers’ Choice Game: Bartlett at West Aurora, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: West Aurora (7-0/4-0) is having a historic season as head coach Nate Eimers will rely on the Cross brothers, seniors RB/LB DaQuan and RB/DB DaVion to lead the way. The Blackhawks have speed and big play ability all over the field. Bartlett (3-4/2-1) is in must-win mode. Expect Hawks RB Vanshon Lindsey to get plenty of carries. Can the Bartlett defense contain the West Aurora offense? If West Aurora wins, it’ll be their first 8-0 start since 1948.

EDGY's Pick: West Aurora 37, Bartlett 20

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