“Edgy Tim” O’Halloran provides the Top 5 Chicagoland high school football games to watch in Week 7. Head to EdgyTim.Rivals.com for more coverage.

Week 7 of the 2023 IHSA football season in Chicagoland features several games that will have eventual IHSA state playoff implications. 

Kenwood Academy (4-2/4-0) vs Morgan Park (6-0/4-0) @ Gately Stadium
Sat 1:30 p.m.

Both Kenwood Academy and Morgan Park boast impressive high level talent and both programs are searching for deeper IHSA state playoff success this season. Kenwood Academy and head coach Sinque Turner will rely on the Broncos playmakers on both sides of the football. The Kenwood offense is led by senior QB Nacari MacFarland along with senior RB Ethan Middleton while senior 4 star ranked WR I’Marion Stewart (Michigan) is a dangerous big play threat at all times playing on both sides of the football. Kenwood Academy senior 4 star ranked DE Marquise Lightfoot (Miami Fla.) remains one of the biggest impact defenders in the state and also keep an eye on senior DL Ivan Moore Jr. who is drawing increased recruiting looks this fall.

Morgan Park and head coach Chris James has built the Mustangs program into a state title contender in Class 5A and the offense will look towards junior QB Marcus Thaxton while senior 4 star ranked ATH Tysean Griffin (Illinois) is a threat to break a big play with every touch. Morgan Park senior WR Chris Durr Jr. (Wyoming) is a speedy no nonsense impact player along with junior OLB/S Jovan Clark, junior WR Jahmere Washington and senior RB Keshon Lewis Hunt. 

Can the Morgan Park offense dent a very good Kenwood Academy defense and defensive line? Can the Kenwood Academy offense extend drives and finish off those long drives with points? Can both teams with big play capabilities make big plays in this big time CPL showdown? 

Pick: Morgan Park 

Barrington (6-0/2-3) at Hoffman Estates (4-2/1-1)
Friday 7:30 p.m. 

Barrington and veteran head coach Joe Sanchez have gotten off to a tremendous start this season as the Broncos offense has reloaded behind junior QB Nick Piepert along with senior RB Dillon Fitzpatrick who has been a mainstay carrying the football for the Broncos over the past two seasons. The Broncos defense has also been consistently strong all year and keep an eye on senior LB/DE Devan Van Ness leads a very fast and physical defensive line which has caused havoc all season long.

Hoffman Estates and head coach Tim Heyse always have playmakers and speed on both sides of the football and this season is no different. Hoffman Estates junior QB Nathan Cleveland is a key name to watch along with senior RB Matt Lawson (Illinois State) and senior WR Stephon Sellers and all three players have big play potential at all times. 

Can the Barrington defense limit the big play ability of Hoffman Estates? Can the Hoffman Estates defense slow down the Barrington high octane offense for four quarters on Friday night? 

Pick: Barrington 

Brother Rice (3-3/0-2) at Nazareth Academy (2-4/1-1)
Friday 7:30 p.m.

On the surface this might not look like an elite showdown, but this game is a must win for both the Crusaders and the Road Runners playoff lives as both teams are already in playoff mode. Brother Rice and head coach Casey Quedenfeld are looking for a big bounce back this week after a 42-7 loss last Friday to rival and top ranked Mount Carmel. The Crusaders will look towards senior QB Ryan Hartz along with senior QB Marcus Brown and both quarterbacks will share playing time and both offer a unique skill set in the Brother Rice offensive attack while. Brother Rice senior RB Randall Nauden (Nary) is another key for Brother Rice. The Crusaders defense is led by junior ILB Christian Pierce who is already holding multiple Power 5 scholarship offers this fall while along with DB Conner Stack and the Rice defense has speed and athletes.

Nazareth Academy and veteran head coach Tim Racki has now had back to back 2-4 records to begin a season and the Road Runners overcame a 2-4 start a season ago and won the Class 5A state title. The 2023 Nazareth Academy squad you ask? The Road Runners have a roster filled with talent and varsity experience including junior QB Logan Malachuk, sophomore RB/LB Lesroy Tittle along with junior OLB/DE Gabe Kaminski. Nazareth Academy is in must win mode the remainder of the regular season. 

Can the Brother Rice offense control time of possession and limit the Nazareth Academy touches on offense Friday night? Can the Road Runners matchup on both sides of the line of scrimmage against the Brother Rice line play? Can Nazareth Academy continue to play mistake free football the way they have over the past two weeks against Brother Rice? 

Pick: Nazareth Academy 

Bradley (5-1/1-0) at Lincoln Way West (5-1/2-0)
Friday 7 p.m.

This Southwest Suburban Red conference showdown could very well eventually determine the conference title. Bradley head coach Mike Kohl has gotten a big season from his son, senior QB Ethan Kohl, who has passed for just over 1,300 yards this season and RB Kenvonte Sutton is another big playmaker for the Boilermakers offense. The Bradley defense is anchored by senior LB AJ Mancilla, who has been a multi year starter and leader for Bradley and the last three matchups between Bradley and Lincoln Way West have come down to the last possession.

Lincoln Way West and head coach Luke Lokanc have gotten a huge season from junior QB Chase Hetfleisch, who stepped in for injured senior starting QB Cole Crafton who is out for the season with an injury. The Warriors running game anchored by RB Joey Campagna has been another big factor in the Warriors success along with the Warriors offensive line, a position group that Lokanc said “has made the most improvement out of any other position” this fall. 

Can Bradley find a way to slow down the Lincoln Way West running game and limit the Warriors balance on offense? Can the Lincoln Way West get pressure on Bradley QB Ethan Kohl and take away something from the Boilermakers offense on Friday night? 

Pick: Bradley

Geneva (5-1/3-1) at Wheaton North (3-3/2-2)
Friday 7 p.m.

The Dukane Conference year in and year out offers some high level football along with more drama than a TV soap opera, and both Geneva and Wheaton North are coming off tough Week 6 losses and are in need of a win this Friday night. Geneva and head coach Boone Thorgesen battled longtime rival Batavia for four quarters last Friday but came up short 21-18. The Vikings will look towards a very balanced offense led by senior QB Nick Stempkowski who has several key targets including junior RB MIke Rumoro, junior WR Talyn Taylor (4 star ranked according to Rivals.com), senior WR Finn Weppner and a stout defense led by senior DL Rocco Dileonardi along with senior OLB Tommy Diamond and senior S Will Diamond.

Wheaton North has lost two straight close games in conference plays including last Friday’s 20-17 loss to rival Wheaton South. The Falcons will look towards an offense loaded with talented players led by QB Max Howser, RB Walker Owens along with WR Matt Kuczaj and the Falcons defense has kept the Falcons in every game this season. 

Can the Wheaton North defense make some key stops against a very good Geneva offense? Can the Geneva defense disrupt and slow down the Wheaton North passing attack four four quarters? Can Wheaton North keep track of and limit the big play ability of Geneva’s WR Talyn Taylor? 

Pick: Wheaton North