High School Lites Week 9 football capsules and picks

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NBC Sports Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school football games across Chicagoland on the Week 9 edition of High School Lites Friday night at 11 p.m. Can Lincoln-Way East win the outright Southwest Suburban conference on the road at Bolingbrook?  Who wins — and goes to the IHSA state playoffs — between Wheaton Academy and St. Edward? And who wins the final Upstate 8 River conference crown when undefeated Batavia travels to take on St. Charles North?

No. 1 Lincoln-Way East at No. 19 Bolingbrook, 7 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Lincoln-Way East (8-0) will take on Southwest Suburban rival Bolingbrook (7-1) in this annual rivalry game. East will rely on its running game behind senior QB Brendan Morrissey and sophomore WR/RB AJ Henning, plus one of the state's top defensive lines anchored by senior Devin O'Rourke (Northwestern). Bolingbrook head coach John Ivlow will look towards a more balanced offense behind QB Anthony Vespo, junior RBs Anthony Williams Jr. and Quentin Pringle, plus senior WR I'Shawn Stewart. The defense has talent including senior DT Dashawn Mallory and a young but very skilled secondary. Can Bolingbrook's defense take away the Lincoln-Way East running game? Can the Bolingbrook offense win time of possession this week? 

EDGY's Pick: Lincoln-Way East 28, Bolingbrook 20

Wheaton Academy at St. Edward, 7 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Bombs away on Friday? Both Wheaton Academy (4-4) and St. Edward (4-4) feature strong quarterback play and both will need a win to qualify for the IHSA state playoff field. Wheaton Academy will rely on junior QB Ben Thorson while St. Edward will look towards senior QB Dylan Mlinarich. Last possession wins? 

EDGY's Pick: Wheaton Academy 34, St. Edward 33

Dundee-Crown at No. 2 Prairie Ridge, 7 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Dundee-Crown (1-7) will look to slow down Prairie Ridge (8-0) this week. The Chargers will look to run the football behind junior RB Ricky Ibarra. Prairie Ridge head coach Chris Schremp will look to post a win and get ready for the state playoffs next weekend behind senior QB Samson Evans (Iowa).

EDGY's Pick: Prairie Ridge 46, Dundee-Crown 7

T.F. South at Oak Forest, 7 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Head coach Bob Padjen will have TF South (5-3) back in the state playoffs with or without a win over Oak Forest (4-4), yet the Rebels would also like to lock in a sixth win this week. Oak Forest is in a must-win scenario. Veteran head coach Brian McDonough and company have lost three out of its last four games. 

EDGY's Pick: T.F. South 27, Oak Forest 14

St. Patrick at Marian Central Catholic, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: St. Patrick (2-6) has lost four straight games and will look to derail Marian Central Catholic's (4-4) season with a win. The Hurricanes will need to win to get into the IHSA state playoff field. 

EDGY's Pick: Marian Central Catholic 27, St. Patrick 14

No. 14 Batavia at No. 24 St. Charles North, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Both Batavia (8-0) and St. Charles North (7-1) will play for the final Upstate 8 River conference title. Under head coach Dennis Piron, Batavia features are one of the state's top defenses led by juniors in ILB Luke Weerts and LB Michael Jansey Jr. St. Charles North has a potent offense led by senior QB Michael Hohensee. One of his main targets is junior WR/DB Tyler Nubin. Can the Batavia defense lock down the North Stars offense?  

EDGY's Pick: Batavia 21, St. Charles North 20

Glenbard North at Neuqua Valley, 7:30 p.m. **#SendEdgy**

EDGY's Take: The playoffs begin a week early for both Glenbard North (4-4) and Neuqua Valley (5-3) as both teams need to win to qualify for the IHSA state playoff field. Glenbard North head coach Ryan Wilkins will look to run the football behind a big offensive line led by senior OL Jose Vazquez. They also have one of the state's top secondaries led by Tyrik Henderson (Minnesota). Neuqua Valley head coach Bill Ellinghaus will counter with senior QB Jake Eskoff and senior RB Cameron Raupach. Can the Neuqua Valley defense stop the Glenbard North running game? Also can the Panthers defense contain the Neuqua Valley balanced offensive attack?

EDGY's Pick: Neuqua Valley 20, Glenbard North 14

VIEWERS' CHOICE: Evergreen Park at Tinley Park, 7 p.m.

EDGY's Take: The playoffs begin this week for Tinley Park (4-4) and head coach Nick Johnston as the Titans need to win this week against Evergreen Park (3-5). Tinley Park will look towards senior QB Ryan Zientara. He has been a big key this fall for the Titans offense. 

EDGY's Pick: Tinley Park 34, Evergreen Park 20

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