PRZJordan's Round 2 Games of the Week Here and Now

Round one is in the books of IHSA Playoff action throughout 8A to 1A classification. With that being said we had great games across the board and ended up having a few upsets in the makes as well. As we look at Round 2 action, we have a handful of Games of the Week throughout all classifications and we're going to highlight some of those below.   ____________________   Use Code JordanAmaskane30 for 30% OFF your subscription today!   Be sure to follow <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://twitter.com/PRZJordan" target="_blank">@PRZJordan</a>  & <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://twitter.com/prepredzoneIL" target="_blank">@PrepRedzoneIL</a> regarding news & information for IHSA Football   <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/illinois/rankings/2023-rankings/" target="_blank">Find our Latest Rankings Update HERE!</a>   ____________________   8A   Lincoln-Way East vs Nequa Valley   There's going to be a TON of talent on both sides of the ball in this contest ranging from [player_tooltip player_id='131525' first='Jake' last='Scianna'] to [player_tooltip player_id='131532' first='Grant' last='Larkin'] and company. If I were a college coach I would head here as there's a lot of D1 caliber prospects competition in this one. Lincoln Way East has a handful of very talented young men that will more likely than not go play D1 ball once their high school careers are over. This includes [player_tooltip player_id='300358' first='Jayden' last='Cook'], [player_tooltip player_id='161312' first='Josh' last='Janowski'], [player_tooltip player_id='169050' first='Cade' last='Serauskis'], [player_tooltip player_id='365288' first='DJ' last='Ritter'], Trey Zvonar, and Bradley Abbott to name a few. Switching over to Nequa Valley, QB [player_tooltip player_id='136475' first='Mark' last='Mennecke'] is a dominant dual-threat QB that is as good as they come and has a darn good HB in [player_tooltip player_id='267800' first='Jaden' last='McGee'] as a 1-2 punch when running the option. Let's also not forget about a top LB in [player_tooltip player_id='363803' first='Cole' last='Dutkovich'] who is easily a Top 100 player in IL for his class. This will be a great game with great prospects on both sides of the ball, a game you don't want to miss.   7A   Hersey vs Batavia   You want to see some of the top talent in the state go head to head? Look no further as Batavia has two of the top 10 LBs in the state that are both going to play P5 ball with Jack Sadowski and [player_tooltip player_id='65871' first='Tyler' last='Jansey']. Their QB [player_tooltip player_id='271802' first='Ryan' last='Boe'] is also an up-and-coming prospect that has untapped potential, pair this with [player_tooltip player_id='266057' first='Ryan' last='Whitwell'] switching over to RB and you have a team that is primed for a deep playoff run. Moving over to Hersey, we have one of the top young gunslingers in [player_tooltip player_id='213819' first='Colton' last='Gumino'] at the helm working in tandem with [player_tooltip player_id='157993' first='Ryan' last='Stearns'], Logan Farrell, and [player_tooltip player_id='354265' first='Carson' last='Grove'] to name a few.   6A   Simeon vs Crete-Monee   Simeon has had an impressive season so far staying undefeated at 10-0. Everyone knows about [player_tooltip player_id='20843' first='Malik' last='Elzy'] being one of the top WRs in the state, but standout [player_tooltip player_id='20844' first='Andre' last='Crews'] has taken control of the backfield and completely set his recruiting on fire being a dominant force each game and earning himself multiple P5 offers. Let's also not forget about [player_tooltip player_id='278165' first='Angelo' last='Stockstill'], [player_tooltip player_id='299518' first='Mikeshun' last='Beeler'], [player_tooltip player_id='266078' first='Jaykwon' last='Armour'], Christian Burgess Jr, and [player_tooltip player_id='163255' first='Cameron' last='Ashley'] either as they all can make their impact felt. Switching over to Crete-Monee, the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='137136' first='Joshua' last='Franklin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='158649' first='Lynel' last='Billups-Williams'] is as dominant as they come in the receiving core that are straight playmakers. Pair this with QB Corey Stennis' dual-threat ability and DB standout [player_tooltip player_id='193494' first='Edward' last='Clark III'] you have a team that can score in an instant and limit opposing offensive attacks.   5A   Sycamore vs Carmel   Sycamore is one of the few 10-0 teams left in the state and have had one heck of a season being led by the connection between QB [player_tooltip player_id='157706' first='Eli' last='Meier'] to WR [player_tooltip player_id='278895' first='Burke' last='Gautcher'] on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, they are held down by LBs [player_tooltip player_id='158007' first='Kiefer' last='Tarnoki'] and Ethan Bodie as well as DB [player_tooltip player_id='271875' first='Tyler' last='Curtis']. One thing to note about [player_tooltip player_id='278895' first='Burke' last='Gautcher'] is that he's been a menace at receiver after switching over from QB once he got to the Varsity level having high potential at both positions. QB [player_tooltip player_id='157706' first='Eli' last='Meier'] is as good as they come with his spin rate, ability to make all level throws, and be one heck of a pro style QB. Switching over to Carmel, their offensive attack has a 1-2 punch with RB [player_tooltip player_id='166514' first='Donovan' last='Dey'] and ATH [player_tooltip player_id='289338' first='Torey' last='French'] as the can both gash opposing defenses if you don't fill holes and/or secure open field tackles. Once they get into open space they have the foot quicks to be off to the races and are both threats in the air attack. Can't forget about QB Johnny Weber that's at the helm of this offensive attack working as sa pro style QB that can put the ball into the recevier's basket and can lead them open as well. On defense, this is lead by LB Kyle Lynch along with DB Dev'ion Reynolds and DL Rosevelt Henderson Jr.   4A   Carterville vs Coal City   Carterville is another undefeated team left in the playoffs sitting at 10-0 entering this 2nd round contest. My way too early MVP pick for 4A football is on this team in the dominant DL [player_tooltip player_id='266170' first='Jordan' last='Cordes'] who is a dominant edge rusher and can stuff the run consistently - so much so that opposing offenses try to run plays away from him and he still comes away making the tackle on the play. On offense, Carterville has the connection between QB [player_tooltip player_id='267204' first='Andrew' last='Hellriegel'] to WR Kade Lustenberger to keep the chains moving and take deep shots downfield as WR Kade Lustenberger uses his long reach to play above the rim - he stands at 6'5 185. Let's not forget about OL Eli Moorse & OL Jaden Smith keeping the pocket clean for their QB in pass pro as well as creating running lanes. Switching over to Coal City, it all starts with QB Braden Reilly being at the helm and using his offensive weapons to his advantage. These include RB Landin Benson, ATH Derick Carlson, WR Wyatt Wickiser, and ATH Braiden Young - all of which got into the endzone when I saw them LIVE in action during Week 7. On defense, they have LB Austin Davy along with ATHs Derick Carlson and Braiden Young making their mark here as well.   3A   Unity vs Mt. Carmel   This is a battle of 9-1 teams that both have outstanding young men on both sides of the ball in 3A action. Starting with Unity, they have a dominant DB in [player_tooltip player_id='265987' first='William' last='Cowan'] that is a complete ball hawk in the secondary and plays the alley well delivering heavy blows on ball carriers. Playing underneath him in the box is LB core Boden Franklin and Austin Langendorf along with DL Alex Abrahamson that do a good job plugging gaps in run support. On offense, you'll need to keep an eye on QB Cale Rawdin connecting with WR Jay Saunders and the run game with RB Matt Brown running behind OL Jacob Maxwell. Switching over to Mt. Carmel, they have arguably one of the top players in the 24' Class in ATH [player_tooltip player_id='132936' first='Blayne' last='Sisson'] that is a sure fire P5 caliber prospect. His playmaking abilities are on full display on both sides of the ball as a QB/WR and as a DB where he can put the team on his back and will them to a win. Also be sure to keep an eye on OL Connor Shelby and WR Gavin Smith.   2A   Johnston City vs Lovington-Atwood-Hammond   Johnston City has one heck of a front seven DL [player_tooltip player_id='266187' first='Brock' last='Baker'] and DL [player_tooltip player_id='265206' first='Logan' last='Hunter'] that have the ability to control the line of scrimmage as well as LBs Connor Mowery and [player_tooltip player_id='266302' first='Boston' last='Peyton'] working gap to gap well. On offense, they have the dynamic RB [player_tooltip player_id='267767' first='Isiah' last='Watson'] that can gash opposing defenses if you give him a sliver of an alley where he can then use his foot quicks to break a long run. Switching over to Lovington-Atwood-Hammond, they have one of the top players in IL in RB [player_tooltip player_id='65875' first='Kaden' last='Feagin'] who is committed to The University of Illinois. This power back is as dominant as they come being able to run through defenders and break long runs in the process when doing so with his foot quicks. Pair this with fellow RB [player_tooltip player_id='271319' first='Landon' last='Waldrop'] and WR Jayce Parsons, you get a high powered offensive attack. The matchup between Johnston City's defense going up against this offensive attack is going to be one to watch - I'll be sure to get the popcorn ready.   1A   Chicago Hope Academy vs Forreston   Chicago Hope Academy is 10-0 coming into this matchup going up against a 6-4 Forreston team that knocked off the 7-2 St. Bede team by 24 even though they were pegged as the underdog. Chicago Hope Academy has one heck of a player in WR [player_tooltip player_id='265989' first='Judah' last='Mallette'] that can take the top off of opposing defenses as well as break defenders off running underneath routes. He is also one heck of a safety on defense being a ball hawk. Speaking of other names to watch, these include QB [player_tooltip player_id='271325' first='Eddie' last='Jenkins'] Jr along with LBs Joseph Okoh and Nehemiah Wilson. Switching over to Forreston, they're coming off one heck of a game against St. Bede winning by 24 points. As they have the momentum coming into this game, look for them to continue to play with confidence against this talented Chicago Hope Academy team.   ____________________   Be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZJordan">@PRZJordan</a> regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/prepredzoneIL">@PrepRedzoneIL</a>.    Want to be ranked? Fill out our FREE <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/">Prospect Player Index</a>, another tool to help you in your recruiting journey.   Use Code JordanAmaskane30 for 30% OFF your subscription today

Round one is in the books of IHSA Playoff action throughout 8A to 1A classification. With that being said we had great games across the board and ended up having a few upsets in the makes as well. As we look at Round 2 action, we have a handful of Games of the Week throughout all classifications and we're going to highlight some of those below.