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 p.m. Can Morris beat DeKalb at home in one of the top Northern Illinois Big 12 East Conference showdowns of the season? Can H-F find a way to dent the Lincoln-Way East defense this week and dethrone the top-ranked Griffins? Can Glenbard West slow down Lyons Township and QB Ben Bryant in a huge West Suburban Silver showdown? Can Loyola travel well and beat St. Rita on the South Side in another big CCL Blue match up? Watch the show on CSN or live stream at csnchicago.com/watchlive.
No. 2 Prairie Ridge at McHenry, 7 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Prairie Ridge (5-0), coached by Chris Schremp, has continued to roll this season behind Iowa commit QB Samson Evans. He’s averaging nearly 10 yards per carry running the Wolves’ option attack. McHenry (2-3) was a state playoff team last season but the Warriors will need to play inspired football this week to avoid their fourth loss on the season. Can the McHenry defense find a way to derail the Wolves’ power running game?
EDGY's Pick: Prairie Ridge 45, McHenry 21
No. 25 DeKalb at Morris, 7:15 p.m. #SendEDGY
EDGY's Take: Both DeKalb (5-0/2-0) and Morris (5-0/1-0) will square off this week in what is shaping up to be the conference championship game in the Northern Illinois Big 12 East. DeKalb and head coach Matt Weckler will look to the running game, led by RB Jaylin Hobson. The Barbs’ defense is also very strong. Morris and head coach Alan Thorson also wants to establish its running game with RB Kameron Dransfeldt and RB Austin Hatcher. The Redskins are also getting a nice season from QB Mitchell Mayberry. Can the Morris defense slow down the Barbs’ running game? Can the DeKalb defense slow down the Redskins’ running game? Last possession wins?
EDGY's Pick: DeKalb 35, Morris 34 (OT)
No. 1 Lincoln-Way East at No. 7 Homewood-Flossmoor, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Lincoln-Way East (5-0/3-0) withstood a poor first half and defeated rival Lincoln-Way Central 28-14 last week thanks to the running game of senior QB Brendan Morrissey and sophomore WR/RB AJ Henning. The Griffins will also rely on their defensive line, led by Northwestern commit Devin O'Rourke. H-F (5-0/3-0) has rolled so far this season behind an explosive offense. It is centered around senior RB Justin Hall (NIU), but sophomore QB Dominick Jones has also developed into yet another key weapon this fall for the Vikings. Can the Lincoln-Way East defense contain H-F’s speed and weapons on offense? Can the Vikings defense take away the Griffins running game?
EDGY's Pick: Lincoln-Way East 28, H-F 27
No. 19 Batavia at Geneva, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: This game is one of the state's oldest and best rivalry games. Batavia (5-0/3-0) and head coach Dennis Piron feature QB Riley Cooper and a Bulldogs defense that's been lights out all season. That includes last week's 7-0 win over St. Charles East. Geneva (3-2/2-1), coached by Rob Wicinski, is dealing with a rash of injuries this week and will need to reshuffle the deck in several key spots. Can Geneva find some offense this week against the Batavia defense?
EDGY's Pick: Batavia 27, Geneva 10
No. 10 Loyola at No. 17 St. Rita, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Loyola (4-1/1-0) has been impressive since its Week 1 loss to Phillips. The Ramblers will look to senior QB Quinn Boyle and the always-tough Loyola defense. St. Rita (4-1/1-1) was able to get its offense going last Friday over Mount Carmel. Senior QB Jake Zlyman and senior RB Chris Childers (Indiana State) have been keys for the Mustangs. Can St. Rita slow down the Loyola offense and Boyle? Can the Loyola defense limit the St. Rita offense and slow down the running game?
EDGY's Pick: Loyola 21, St. Rita 14
No. 20 Glenbard West at No. 9 Lyons Township, 7:30 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet adjusted some defensive personnel after the Hilltoppers’ opening week loss to Maine South. The results? Big improvements. Their offense has also played well. Key contributors include QB Alex Hollensbe, RB Dre Thomas, RB Ryan Diver and WR Alec Pierce. Lyons Township (5-0/2-0) and head coach Kurt Weinberg will rely on QB Ben Bryant (Cincinnati) plus a strong core of backs and receivers and a veteran offensive line. Can the Lyons defense slow down the Glenbard West offense? Can the Glenbard West defense contain the passing attack from L-T?
EDGY's Pick: Lyons Township 27, Glenbard West 24
VIEWERS' CHOICE: Oak Lawn at Shepard, 7 p.m.
EDGY's Take: Oak Lawn (3-2/1-1), coached by Nick Novak, has gotten a nice season so far from junior RB Nick Puente along with senior OL/DL Patrick Michaels. Coach Dom Passolano’s Shepard Astros (4-1/2-1) are loaded with speed, highlighted by junior QB Marquel Porter, junior WR Rishard Blake and senior WR Nieko Carter. Can Oak Lawn's defense contain Shepard's speedy offensive skills department? Can the Spartans offense run the football and win time of possession?
EDGY's Pick: Shepard 34, Oak Lawn 21
