Providence, East St. Louis, St. Rita, Brother Rice, Mount Carmel and Lockport are picks to clicks for the state semifinals.
Oak Forest (11-1) at Providence (9-3)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: Oak Forest held a high-flying Peoria team in check for a 34-20 win last week to advance to this Class 5A semifinal.
The Bengals are in the final four for the first time since doing it in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007. A victory would send them to the first state championship game in program history. Senior quarterback Daniel Chopp looks to lead the way.
The Celtics are two wins away from their 11th state title and first since 2014.
In contrast to veteran-laden Oak Forest, Providence is young. But sophomore quarterback Dominic Vita and others have played beyond their years.
X-factor: Xavier Coleman, Providence, senior, receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Providence.
East St. Louis (9-3) at St. Laurence (8-4)
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: St. Laurence is a big underdog against defending Class 6A state champion East St. Louis, which is looking to advance to its sixth straight championship game and trying to win its fourth title since 2019.
In order to shock the state, the Vikings will need another strong performance from senior running back Cory Les. The defense will look to continue to be opportunistic as well.
Led by all-state junior running back Myson Johnson-Cook, the Flyers are 8-0 against Illinois opponents, averaging 56 points.
X-factor: Sean Rice, St. Laurence, junior, tight end/linebacker.
Steve Millar’s prediction: East St. Louis.
Batavia (10-2) at St. Rita (8-4)
Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: St. Rita is in the Class 7A semifinals for the fourth time in the last five seasons and looking to advance to the championship game for the first time since 2021.
The Mustangs have leaned on their running game and defense often, but they produced several explosive plays through the air to win a 56-42 shootout over Hersey last week. Senior quarterback Steven Armbruster is playing the best football of his career.
Batavia is seeking a return to Normal after a runner-up finish last season. There’s a family tie here with junior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren, whose father, Brian, quarterbacked Marian Catholic to a Class 4A state championship in 1993.
X-factor: Langston Smith, St. Rita, senior, receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: St. Rita.
Downers Grove North (10-2) at Brother Rice (11-1)
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: Brother Rice enters this Class 7A semifinal looking to advance to its first state championship game since 2018 and hoping to win its first title since 1981.
Led by Illinois recruit King Liggins and Brayden Parks on the defensive line, the Crusaders have allowed only 18 points through three playoff games.
The Trojans, looking to reach their second championship game in the last three years, are led by senior quarterback Owen Lansu, a Minnesota commit.
X-factor: Damari Thigpen, Brother Rice, junior, defensive back/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Brother Rice.
Fremd (11-1) at Mount Carmel (12-0)
Kickoff: 5 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: This Class 8A semifinal features two of the state’s most productive senior quarterbacks.
Johnny O’Brien, a Northwestern recruit, leads a Fremd offense that’s averaging 40 points in the playoffs.
Relative to O’Brien, Mount Carmel’s Emmett Dowling was an unproven commodity coming into the season, but he has been spectacular all fall. The Caravan have scored 48 points in back-to-back weeks.
Mount Carmel is looking to win its fourth straight state championship and first in 8A.
X-factor: Quentin Burrell, Mount Carmel, junior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.
Lockport (9-3) at Oswego (10-2)
Kickoff: 5 p.m. Saturday.
Matchup breakdown: One of these teams will be a surprise Class 8A finalist.
Since senior defensive back Colton Benaitis, a Central Michigan recruit, returned from injury, Lockport has won nine straight, allowing an average of just 13 points during the streak. Senior linebacker Andre Labuda has been a force for the Porters.
Senior receiver/defensive back Mariano Velasco is the star for Oswego, which is allowing an average of just 11 points on the season.
X-factor: Khairi Sias, Lockport, junior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lockport.