It was a wild Week 8 in the Southland as several games with major playoff implications came down to the wire, with multiple needing overtime to be decided.

Things are now set up for a thrilling final week of the regular season. In addition to a group of 4-4 teams — and perhaps 3-5 teams, stay tuned — fighting for their playoff lives, we have some massive showdowns coming up between teams whose postseason bids have long been secured.

Lincoln-Way East plays host Naperville Central in a battle of 8-0 teams, Mount Carmel welcomes Loyola with the Caravan trying to earn a share of the CCL/ESCC Blue title, and Crete-Monee takes on Kankakee for the Southland Conference championship.

Let’s take a look at how things stack up headed into Week 9. Here are my takeaways from last weekend’s action.

The playoff race gets intense

Emotions were sure riding high for five Southland teams who played in classic games with high stakes Friday night.

In a collision of 4-3 teams, T.F. North got by host Tinley Park 35-34. The Meteors are headed to the playoffs for the second straight year while the Titans need a Week 9 win at T.F. South (3-5).

Homewood-Flossmoor let a late 15-point lead slip away then lost 63-62 to Naperville North in double overtime. Game of the year? Perhaps, but now the Vikings (4-4) must recover quickly with a win Friday over Lockport.

Speaking of Lockport, Lincoln-Way West (5-3) slipped past the Porters 40-39 in double overtime as the Warriors punched their playoff ticket and delivered a huge blow to Lockport (3-5).

But wait, all hope is not lost.

If your team is 3-5 heading into Week 9, don’t give up. At least if you’ve played a tough schedule.

While five wins is certainly the magic number, there’s a good chance a few 4-5 teams will be needed to round out the 256-team playoff field. Opponents’ wins are used to break ties between teams with the same record.

So, which Southland teams have a shot of getting in at 4-5? Well, let’s start with the aforementioned Porters, whose opponents have 45 wins — one of the highest totals in the state.

We can call Lockport’s upcoming Friday night matchup at H-F the Heartbreak Bowl as both teams are coming off double overtime losses. Who can respond better?

The Vikings are in with a victory but a long shot at 4-5 with a loss. The Porters can give themselves a decent shot of getting in at 4-5 with a win.

All eyes on Flossmoor. I’ll be there for what will essentially be a playoff game a week early.

Elsewhere, Providence (4-4) can eliminate the drama Friday night if the Celtics upset archrival Joliet Catholic. With a loss, Providence — with 41 opponents’ wins — still has a chance but will need just about everything to go the right way in Week 9.

For all the other 4-4 teams in the area — Tinley Park, Eisenhower, Reavis, Argo and Rich Township — there’s little doubt that it’s win or go home. Best of luck.Star search

For as much as I’ve talked about Lockport’s playoff fate in this column, I would be remiss not to mention the insane performance turned in by junior receiver Adam Kozak during Friday’s loss.

Kozak came up with two touchdown catches, threw a 54-yard TD pass to junior quarterback Brendan Mecher and returned a kickoff 99 yards for a TD.

Kozak, who also is a standout baseball player for the Porters, has done a bit of everything this season. He has returned three kickoffs for TDs.

Without a doubt, Kozak has established himself as one of the Southland’s top two-sport athletes.

As for other under-the-radar stars, two of them will face off Friday night in Lansing.

Senior running back Christian Streeter is wrapping up a spectacular career for T.F. South. This year, he’s gone for 761 yards and nine TDs on the ground and added two receiving TDs while also contributing in the return game and occasionally playing quarterback.

Senior running back Keoni George has gone over 1,000 yards rushing this season as a workhorse for Tinley Park. The Titans are still fighting for a second straight playoff berth.

Most eye-opening score

Hillcrest 42, Eisenhower 17.

Welcome to the playoffs, Hawks. Hillcrest took down a hot Cardinals team in dominant fashion behind two TD runs from senior running back Erimus Wright (South Dakota State).

Hillcrest will try to earn a share of the South Suburban Blue title on Thursday night when the Hawks (5-3, 4-1) host Lemont (5-3, 5-0).

See you there.