Top high school football games: South Side showdown a must-see in Week 6
No. 3 Brother Rice at No. 1 Mount Carmel
7:30 p.m. Friday: This is the most anticipated regular-season game of the season, matching South Side rivals who mostly have been steamrolling opponents. Brother Rice (5-0, 1-0 CCL/ESCC Blue) is the rare team that has had much success lately against Mount Carmel (5-0, 1-0), winning four of the last seven meetings (though the Caravan still hold a 42-28 all-time lead). Rice has a savvy senior quarterback in Army commit CJ Gray and one of the most disruptive defensive lines in the state, led by Illinois commit King Liggins, Brayden Parks and Kameron McGee. Mount Carmel also has an elite senior quarterback in Emmett Dowling, game-breaking receivers in Quentin Burrell and Marshaun Thornton and a dominant defensive line of its own, led by Caleb Tucker, Braeden Jones and Joey Quinn.
No. 13 Montini at Carmel
7:30 p.m. Friday: The two best junior quarterbacks in the state will be the highlight here. Carmel’s Trae Taylor, a Nebraska commit, and Montini’s Israel Abrams are four-star prospects and top-85 national recruits in their class. Defending Class 3A champ Montini (5-0, 1-0 CCL/ESCC White) has won 15 games in a row dating to last season. Linebacker Santino Tenuta is another difference-maker for the Broncos. Carmel (4-1, 1-0), whose loss was to Providence, already has surpassed its victory total of last season.
No. 21 York at No. 14 Hinsdale Central
7:30 p.m. Friday: Another week, another marquee matchup in the West Suburban Silver, which has five teams in the Super 25. York (4-1, 2-0) has won four in a row after losing its opener to Glenbrook South in overtime. The Dukes’ backloaded schedule ends with four consecutive games against ranked teams: at Hinsdale Central, at Downers Grove North, vs. Glenbard West and at Lyons. Riley Contreras of Hinsdale Central (4-1, 1-1) is the rare Class 8A quarterback who also plays — and excels — on defense.
Bradley-Bourbonnais at No. 23 Lincoln-Way Central
7 p.m. Friday: Another conference that’s strong at the top is the Southwest Valley Red. Bradley-Bourbonnais (5-0, 2-0) has held four opponents to six or fewer points. Sophomore Ky’ren Edmon, who has a scholarship offer from Mississippi, is an effective runner for the Boilermakers, and Rontez Smith and Lyzale Edmon are productive two-way players. Justin Cobbs is a capable running back for Lincoln-Way Central (4-1, 2-1), which has lost only to unbeaten crosstown rival Lincoln-Way West.
No. 7 Fremd at Hoffman Estates
7:30 p.m. Friday: It’s a matchup of unbeatens in the Mid-Suburban West, which has emerged as one of the deepest conferences in the state. For Fremd (5-0, 1-0), it starts with Northwestern-bound senior quarterback Johnny O’Brien. He has completed 70% of his passes for 1,154 yards with 16 touchdowns and two interceptions. Marquan Brewster (28 catches, 541 yards, eight TDs) is O’Brien’s favorite target. Hoffman Estates (5-0, 1-0) has one of the most dynamic players in the area in receiver/defensive back/kick returner Torey Baskin, along with a capable quarterback in Austin Lesniak.