Several conference races are starting to heat up. Here are some that you should keep an eye on as we get closer to IHSA state playoffs.
Central Suburban North
Maine West (5-1, 2-0) has been a great story so far, but the Central Suburban North is far from decided. Both Deerfield (3-3, 2-0) and Highland Park (3-3, 2-0) all have a very strong shots, and the winner this Friday between those two will get a leg up. Maine West finishes the regular season at Highland Park and playing host to Deerfield. Maine West also is in need of a sixth win with a pretty low playoff point total (21 playoff points) heading into games this weekend.
Central Suburban South
Maine South (5-1, 2-0) plays host to Glenbrook South (5-1, 2-0) this Friday in Park Ridge, and the winner will take a nice lead for the conference title. Defending conference champ New Trier (4-2, 2-0) is still very much in the picture. The Trevians finish the regular season in Week 8 playing host to Maine South then travel to Glenbrook South in Week 9.
Chicago Catholic League Blue
Loyola (5-1, 2-0) and Providence Catholic (4-2, 2-0) have a lead and square off in Week 9 in New Lenox.
Chicago Catholic League Green
Marmion Academy (5-1, 2-1) just lost in Week 6 to Fenwick (4-2, 1-1). Montini Catholic (4-2, 2-1) lost to Marmion back in Week 5. DeLaSalle (5-1, 1-1) just lost to Montini last Friday. So what does it all mean? It means the Green is still way up for grabs.
Chicago Catholic League White
Both Aurora Christian (4-2, 1-0) and St. Laurence (4-2, 1-0) are in the lead and square off in Week 8 in Aurora.
DuPage Valley
Naperville Central (5-1, 5-0) leads, but keep an eye on Wheaton North (5-1, 4-1) and Neuqua Valley (5-1, 4-1). Several teams, including Naperville North (4-2, 3-2) and Lake Park (3-3, 3-2), could also be factors.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Marist (6-0, 4-0) plays host to Nazareth Academy (6-0, 4-0) Friday, and the winner will take a big step toward a conference crown. Notre Dame (5-1, 3-1), Benet Academy (4-2, 3-1) and St. Viator (4-2, 3-1) still have a shot at the conference title, as well.
Metro Suburban Blue
Immaculate Conception (5-1, 2-0) and Glenbard South (4-2, 2-0) square off in Week 8 in Elmhurst. Riverside-Brookfield (5-1, 1-1) still has a shot but lost to IC last Friday.
Mid Suburban East
Buffalo Grove (6-0, 2-0), Hersey (5-1, 2-0) and Rolling Meadows (5-1, 2-0) all enter this week on a roll, and the next two weeks will provide answers, including this Friday with Buffalo Grove playing at Hersey.
Mid Suburban West
Barrington (6-0, 2-0) plays host to Hoffman Estates (6-0, 2-0) on Saturday in Barrington, and the winner will have a very good shot at the conference crown. Palatine (3-3, 1-1) still has an outside shot, but the Pirates' loss to Barrington last Thursday didn't help.
North Suburban
Lake Zurich (6-0, 2-0) plays Stevenson (5-1, 2-0) on Friday in Lincolnshire. Warren Township (4-2, 1-1) still has a shot but will need some help, meaning rooting for Stevenson to beat Lake Zurich this Friday.
Northern Lake County
Antioch (6-0, 4-0) travels to Lakes (6-0, 4-0) in a huge conference showdown. North Chicago (5-1, 3-1) is still very much in the picture, and the Warhawks close out the 2017 season Week 8 at Antioch then Week 9 playing host to Lakes.
South Suburban Blue
Lemont (5-1, 3-0) has a lead thanks to its Week 3 win over Hillcrest (5-1, 3-1).
South Suburban Red
Richards (4-2, 3-0) has the lead and already has wins over Shepard (5-1, 3-1) and Eisenhower (5-1, 2-1). Eisenhower plays host to Shepard in Week 8.
Southwest Prairie
When all the dust settles, Oswego (5-1) looks to be in the driver's seat once again with wins already over Minooka (5-1) and Oswego East (5-1).
Southwest Suburban Blue
Lincoln-Way East (6-0, 4-0) will be hard to beat, already with wins over Andrew (5-1, 4-1), Lincoln-Way Central (5-1, 4-1) and Homewood-Flossmoor (5-1, 4-1). The Griffins' biggest test will come in Week 9, when they take on Bolingbrook (5-1, 3-1) in Bolingbrook.
Upstate 8 River
Batavia (6-0, 4-0) has the lead, but a Week 9 showdown with St. Charles North (5-1, 3-0) could wind up being a dandy.
West Suburban Gold
Willowbrook (5-1, 3-0) has a leg up on Hinsdale South (4-2, 3-1), who the Warriors beat back in Week 5. Downers Grove South (3-3, 3-1) could potentially play spoiler, however, with a Week 9 win over Willowbrook.
West Suburban Silver
Hinsdale Central (5-1, 4-0) faces Glenbard West (5-1, 3-0) on Saturday at Duchon Field in Glen Ellyn in a huge conference game. Lyons Township (5-1, 2-1) also has an outside shot for a conference title but needs some help.