Metro East Playoff 1st Round Outlook

With the IHSA state kicking off this week we dive into the teams from the metro east that made the field, examine their first round matchups, and look at their chances of advancing!   8A   Edwardsville (6-3)   Seed: #19 First Round Opponent: @ York (7-2)   Key Players: Have to start with the top senior in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='830235' first='Iose' last='Epenesa'].  The Iowa commit is a game wrecker at defensive end both against the run and getting after the passer.  You know that Epenesa isn't going to want to end his career in the first round.  [player_tooltip player_id='1404803' first='Devyon' last='Hill-Lomax'] is a star wide receiver in the junior class that had a big game making plays down the field when we saw them mid-season.    X-Factor Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='1292245' first='Clayton' last='Lakatos'] is a senior that's stock is on the rise.  He is a safety that controls things on the backend while also contributing on other sides of the ball as well with his plus athleticism and speed.  Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1564673' first='Steven' last='Moore'] is a back that can carry their offense for stretches.  The Tigers linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1564069' first='Javion' last='Smith'] is a sideline to sideline backer that comes up big game in and game out.   York Key Players:   Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='163858' first='Joseph' last='Reiff'] will be one to watch in this one for York.  One of the better defensive lineman in the senior class.  [player_tooltip player_id='832150' first='Bruno' last='Massel'] is a fun senior signal caller for the Dukes.   Chances of Advancing: 60%   Belleville East (6-3)   Seed: #21 First Round Opponent: @ Loyola (7-2)   Really tough draw for Belleville East getting a super under seeded Loyola squad.  The Lancers will have to travel on the road.   Key Players:   Junior defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='801701' first='Jonathan' last='Rulo'] has been a monster for them all season long!  He has the ability to wreck games up front with his power in the run game and pass rush.  Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1344621' first='James' last='Johnson'] is an explosive downfield threat at wide receiver that has a chance to make big plays which will be needed in a game like this.  [player_tooltip player_id='1564808' first='Kadin' last='Sabree'] is a thumper at linebacker that will need to help control the Loyola ground game.   X-Factor Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='1585157' first='Jacory' last='Brown'] has all the physical tools to be a game changer on the edge with his length as a pass rusher making big plays.  [player_tooltip player_id='1585239' first='Jaedon' last='Beamon'] is a running back with a lot of juice that has homerun threat ability.   Loyola Key Players:   Veteran team led by [player_tooltip player_id='1292076' first='Ryan' last='Fitzgerald'] who is the leader at QB for the Ramblers.  He just wins games and makes plays.  The Iowa walk on is who makes them go.  Highest ranked senior is Washington commit [player_tooltip player_id='1291979' first='Donovan' last='Robinson'] who is one of the best pure athletes in the state.  More offensive weapons include tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1292068' first='Brendan' last='Loftus'], Iowa commit Drew MacPhearson, and on the defensive line [player_tooltip player_id='1292131' first='Tommy' last='Ghislandi'] along with South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1292141' first='Connor' last='Sullivan'].   Chances of Advancing: 15%   7A   Collinsville (5-4)   Seed: #29 First Round Opponent: @ Batavia (8-1)   Key Players:   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/devin-habermehl/">[player_tooltip player_id='325422' first='Devin' last='Habermehl']</a> is a defensive lineman that is headed to Northern Illinois.  The top 50 recruit is a game wrecker up front for the Kahoks.  Love the athleticism that [player_tooltip player_id='331483' first='Chase' last='Reynolds'] brings all over the field for Collinsville.  He is their offensive game breaker!   X-Factor Players:   Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='331481' first='Kaden' last='Hearn'] and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1242230' first='Michael' last='Tongay'] are two defenders that will hope to keep the Batavia defense in check.   Batavia Key Players:   Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1292150' first='Malachi' last='Smith'] up front for Batavia is definitely one to watch as is fellow senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1362880' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'].  Pair of nice juniors with big offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1120487' first='Ryan' last='Myers'] who will be opening holes for running back [player_tooltip player_id='401606' first='Greyson' last='Kelly'].   Chances of Advancing: 10%   6A   East St. Louis (8-1)   Seed: #1 First Round Opponent: Springfield (5-4)   Key Players:   There are so many players to name here.  It starts with their QB tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='831102' first='Kendrick' last='Lyons'] and Reece Shanklin who have both had big seasons.  In the backfield [player_tooltip player_id='179193' first='Larevious' last='Woods'] and Kent State commit [player_tooltip player_id='278888' first='TaRyan' last='Martin'] form the most dynamic backfield in the state.      X-Factor Players:   Defensively they are LOADED with game changers led by Mizzou commit [player_tooltip player_id='176242' first='Charles' last='Bass'] at safety who is a monster!  Other top 50 seniors include linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='179189' first='Keylan' last='LaGrant'], defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='188603' first='Mekhi' last='Mixon'] who is a Grambling State commit, Redzone favorite defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='830840' first='Ke'Andre' last='McClendon'].   Chances of Advancing: 99%   5A   Triad (7-2)   Seed: #4 First Round Opponent: Morris (5-4)   Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='1196534' first='Isaac' last='Ackerman'] is a gritty senior leader at the QB spot that can beat you with his legs and come up with big passes when needed.  [player_tooltip player_id='1564728' first='Louis' last='Yohannes'] is a big threat on the outside at 6'3” that can make plays.  On the defensive side is all about the edge duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1326078' first='Owen' last='Lightner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1564705' first='Aiden' last='Patrick'] who get after the passer as well as run sideline to sideline in the run game.   X-Factor Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='1585247' first='Gavin' last='Dobbs'] is a physical linebacker who comes up big in the run game.  Also we are big fans of the overall athleticism of two way standout in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='403899' first='Brody' last='Hasquin'].  Also keep an eye on the offensive line for [player_tooltip player_id='1564110' first='Landon' last='Busch'].   Chances of Advancing: 80%   4A   Breese Central (9-0)   Seed: #1 First Round Opponent: Harrisburg (5-4)   Key Players:   Breese Central is stacked on the offensive side of the ball!  Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1135601' first='Preston' last='Baker'], running back [player_tooltip player_id='1135479' first='Kaden' last='Rakers'], and wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1135400' first='Griffen' last='Becker'] are the Big 3 for this team.   Chances of Advancing:  90%   1A   Belleville Althoff (9-0)   Seed: #1 First Round Opponent: Dupo (5-4)   Key Players:   The leader for the Prep Redzone Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='201724' first='Dierre' last='Hill'] Jr is an absolute superstar at the running back position.  Sophomore phenom [player_tooltip player_id='214234' first='Jayden' last='Ellington'] can make plays with his legs and arm at the QB position.  Boston College commit [player_tooltip player_id='1292071' first='Charleston' last='Coldon'] is a two way talent at WR and DB that makes impactful plays on both sides.   X-Factor Players:   Mizzou commit [player_tooltip player_id='258001' first='Jason' last='Dowell'] should wreck havoc against 1A competition over the next month as should his linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='831091' first='Drake' last='Mosley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1292104' first='Cooper' last='Zimmer'].   Chances of Advancing: 99%   Quick Hitters   Highland (6-3)   Class: 5A Seed: #5 Opponent: Marion (6-3)   Chances of Advancing: 55%   Waterloo (8-1)   Class: 4A Seed: #3 Opponent: Taylorville (5-4)   Chances of Advancing: 85%   Cahokia (7-2)   Class: 4A Seed: #6 Opponent: Columbia (6-3)   Chances of Advancing: 75%   Nashville (8-1)   Class: 3A Seed: #4 Opponent: Olympia (6-3)   Chances of Advancing: 70%

With the IHSA state kicking off this week we dive into the teams from the metro east that made the field, examine their first round matchups, and look at their chances of advancing!