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The Way forward

Lincoln-Way Central will try to continue its surprising playoff run against Bradley-Bourbonnais

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Lincoln-Way Central’s Luke Tingley avoids a tackle by Maine West’s Tim Wiley for a touchdown during a Class 7A first-round playoff game on Nov. 1. Talia Sprague/Daily Southtown

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Richards’ Johnny Lipscomb tackles Dunlap’s John Bergen during a Class 6A first-round playoff game Nov. 1. Troy Stolt/Daily Southtown

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By Steve Millar Daily Southtown

Lincoln-Way Central (8-3) at Bradley-Bourbonnais (9-2)

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.

Matchup breakdown: The Southwest Valley Green rivals meet up in a Class 7A quarterfinal, and it’s safe to say the winner will be one of the state’s biggest surprise semifinal teams.

This is a rematch of a Week 5 game in New Lenox, which Lincoln-Way Central won easily 28-6 to hand the Boilermakers their first loss.

Bradley-Bourbonnais, coming off a 42-0 second-round win over Whitney Young, will hope for a different result at home. Junior receiver/defensive back Lyzale Edmon earned all-state honors.

The Knights’ running game has been unstoppable of late as they piled up over 400 yards on the ground in a 49-28 second-round win over Hoffman Estates. Senior Tyler Tulk and junior Luke Tingley form a dynamic duo at running back.

X-factor: Lucas Andresen, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, receiver.

Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way Central.

Stevenson (10-1) at Lincoln-Way East (11-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday.

Matchup breakdown: The Griffins are one of the final eight teams standing in Class 8A for the eighth straight time.

Lincoln-Way East was held under 40 points for just the second time this season — but just barely — in a 38-7 second-round win over Minooka.

It’s easy to overlook this Griffins’ defense because of the firepower of their offense, but the unit continues to thrive, led by senior defensive end Caden O’Rourke (Northwestern) and senior defensive back Dylan Weathers.

They will provide a formidable challenge for junior quarterback Aidan Crawley, who threw three TD passes in Stevenson’s 35-7 second-round win over Glenbard East.

X-factor: Grant Urban, Lincoln-Way East, junior, kicker.

Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.

Kankakee (10-1) at Richards (10-1)

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday.Matchup breakdown: Kankakee comes into this Class 6A showdown having outscored its last 10 opponents by a combined score of 437-47.

The Kays, whose only loss was a 37-30 defeat to Nazareth in Week 1, are led by senior running back/defensive back James Stampley and all-state senior linebacker Kennyan Chandler (Eastern Illinois).

Richards will look to lean on all-state senior running back Myles Mitchell (North Dakota State) and a veteran defense, anchored by senior defensive back Austin Synoga.

These teams have two common opponents. Kankakee beat Crete-Monee 56-14 in Week 9, while Richards edged the Warriors 27-26 in Week 1.

The Kays beat downstate Washington 42-7 in Week 2, while the Bulldogs eliminated the Panthers 42-14 in Round 2.

X-factor: Maddux North, Richards, senior, defensive lineman.

Steve Millar’s prediction: Kankakee.

Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin (11-0) at Chicago Christian (10-1)

Kickoff: 5 p.m. Saturday.

Matchup breakdown: Both teams are in unfamiliar territory as they enter this Class 2A clash. BHRA is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2014, while Chicago Christian has not advanced this far since 2007.The Knights picked up an impressive 24-14 road win over Tri-Valley in the second round.

Chicago Christian has good balance on offense, led by senior quarterback Christian Flutman.

Senior lineman Brock Sperling, an all-state selection, has 8 1/2 sacks.

BHRA, which will make the 117-mile trip to Palos Heights, has a pair of all-state selections in senior running back/defensive back Chaz Dubois and senior running back/linebacker Evan Parish.

X-factor: Kenny Jager, Chicago Christian, senior, running back/defensive back.

Steve Millar’s prediction: Chicago Christian.

Normal Community (10-1) at Mount Carmel (8-3)

Kickoff: 5 p.m. Saturday.

Matchup breakdown: The Caravan head into this Class 7A quarterfinal with everything clicking.

Mount Carmel rolled to a stunningly easy 48-15 win over St. Charles North in the second round as senior quarterback Jack Elliott (Vanderbilt) threw three TD passes and ran for two more scores.

Senior Danyil Taylor Jr. and junior Madden Wilson are stepping up at running back.

Normal outlasted Prospect 52-49 in a second-round shootout. Look for the Ironmen to try to ride senior running back Calen Taylor, who topped 200 yards in the Round 2 win, and keep the Caravan offense on the sideline.

X-factor: Matthew Mucha, Mount Carmel, senior, linebacker.

Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.