CSN Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school football games across Chicagoland on the Week 6 edition of High School Lites, Friday at 11:00 p.m. Can Oswego East finally beat crosstown rival Oswego? Can Naperville North's magical season continue as they host division power Neuqua Valley? Can Stevenson avoid Libertyville's upset bid and win on the road? And can Mount Carmel bounce back this week and beat Brother Rice?
Oswego at No. 24 Oswego East, 7:00 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Oswego (5-0/5-0) has beaten Oswego East (5-0/5-0) 11 straight times. But is this the night that the Wolves break that winning streak? Oswego East has put up points in bunches this season behind Iowa-bound RB Ivory Kelly-Martin, senior QB Jaylon Banks and a host of talented players in the skills department. Oswego, coached by Brian Cooney, has started to get its offense in gear. As for the defense, they’ve allowed just 48 points all season. Keep an eye on junior DT Noah Shannon along with senior WR Ray Chmielinski. Last possession wins?
EDGY's Pick: Oswego East 27, Oswego 26
Highland Park at Deerfield, 7:00 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Highland Park (3-2/0-1) is looking to bounce back this week after losing to Glenbrook North 42-28 last Friday. The Giants have one of the top running backs in the conference in senior DJ Penick. Deerfield (3-2/0-1) and head coach Steve Winiecki are also looking to rebound. They lost 10-7 last Friday to Vernon Hills. The Warriors also have a do-it-all standout in senior WR/DB Charlie Jones and three star-ranked senior ILB/DE Joshua Maize. Can the Giants get the running game going against the Warriors defense?
EDGY's Pick: Highland Park 31, Deerfield 24
Woodstock North at Johnsburg, 7:00 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Johnsburg (5-0/2-0) and head coach Dan DeBoeuf will make sure to get the football into the hands of standout senior RB Alex Peete early and often. But the Skyhawks can (and will) throw the ball with QB Riley Buchanan. Woodstock North and head coach Jeff Schroeder will also run the ball with the likes of RBs Casey Dycus and Collin Mergi. Which defense will rise to the occasion?
EDGY's Pick: Johnsburg 36, Woodstock North 30
Wilmington at Lisle, 7:00 p.m. at Benedictine Univ.
EDGY's Take: Wilmington (5-0/3-0) was able to get head coach Jeff Reents his 200th win last Friday with a 43-6 win over Seneca. Senior RB Owen Weaver has been a load to stop this season. Lisle (3-2/2-1) is led by former Addison Trail Hall of Fame coach Paul Parpet. Parpet will look to get senior do-it-all QB Mark McGrath involved as much as possible. Can the Lisle defense slow down the Wilmington running attack?
EDGY's Pick: Wilmington 37, Lisle 21
Lincoln-Way East at Andrew, 7:15 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Lincoln-Way East (4-1/2-1) will take the very short drive over to Andrew (0-5/0-3) in this Southwest Suburban conference game. Lincoln-Way East has gotten a big season from its two headed monster at quarterback, seniors Jake Arthur and Max Shafer. Andrew (0-5/0-3) and first year head coach Adam Lewandowski has been battling an overloaded schedule (22-8 opponents combined record) and a struggling offense so far this season.
EDGY's Pick: Lincoln-Way East 41, Andrew 12
No. 6 Neuqua Valley at No. 14 Naperville North, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Neuqua Valley (5-0/4-0) was expected to be in the DuPage Valley conference title hunt. The Wildcats have a ton of skills and talent including Notre Dame commit WR/S Isaiah Robertson. Junior QB Jake Eskoff has also been vital for the Wildcats this season. Naperville North (5-0/4-0) and head coach Sean Drendel will rely on a deep senior class, a balanced offense and a defense that has improved each week. Can the Neuqua Valley defense get the football back quickly, giving their offense more touches? Can North’s defense limit the Wildcats’ big play ability?
EDGY's Pick: Neuqua Valley 28, Naperville North 21
No. 16 Stevenson at Libertyville, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Stevenson’s (4-1/3-0) only loss came back in Week 1 to Palatine, 28-20. The Patriots’ offense has averaged over 40 points per game since that game and senior QB Aidan O'Connell has been a key. A few of his top targets include senior twins WRs, Henry and Michael Marchese. Libertyville (3-2/2-1) and head coach Mike Jones is looking top bounce back after losing last Friday to Lake Forest. On offense, the Wildcats will rely on senior QB Jack Ruskell and a big, physical offensive line led by Iowa State commit OT Tyler Jost. Can Libertyville slow down the Stevenson passing game?
EDGY's Pick: Stevenson 28, Libertyville 21
Mt. Carmel at No. 3 Brother Rice, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Mount Carmel (3-2/0-2) is trying to shake off a loss last Friday to St. Rita as the Caravan are in serious need of a headline win. Keep an eye on junior do-it-all RB/WR/QB Alek Thomas and NIU commit RB Michael Kennedy. Brother Rice (5-0/1-0) has been on a serious roll as senior QB Dino Borrelli is having a terrific senior season. Fellow senior Ricky Smalling (Illinois) is a threat at wide receiver at all times. Can the Caravan win on the road? Can the Brother Rice defense slow down the Mount Carmel option game?
EDGY's Pick: Brother Rice 34, Mount Carmel 27
No. 19 Bradley-Bourbonnais at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Bradley (5-0/3-0) found itself down two touchdowns in the fourth quarter last Friday against Bolingbrook. But they staged a stunning comeback, winning 22-21. The Boilermakers will look towards Iowa commit WR/RB Cam Harrell. Lincoln-Way Central (4-1/2-1) has been solid all season. The Knights offense is led by QB Hunter Campbell and his top target is WR Matt Pollack. Can Bradley continue to make big plays when needed? Can Lincoln-Way Central limit the big play ability of Bradley?
EDGY's Pick: Bradley 27, Lincoln-Way Central 24
Viewers’ Choice Game
St. Edward at Fenton, 7:15 p.m.
EDGY's Take: St. Edward (4-1/0-1) took its first loss last Friday, 49-3, to 3A top-ranked Immaculate Conception. The Green Wave will look to get back in the win column this week behind junior QB Kyle Mlinarich plus junior WR Saveon Smith and the Green Wave's potent passing game. Fenton (2-3/0-1) and head coach Mark Kos have been up and down all season as both schools try to get in the win column in Metro Suburban Blue play. Can the Fenton defense slow down the Green Wave passing attack?
EDGY's Pick: St. Edward 41, Fenton 14