Four downs: News and notes from Week 8

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Maine South’s Bobby Inserra (14) against Glenbard West. Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times.

Maine South’s only loss this season, to Barrington in Week 3, came in senior Cole Dow’s first start at quarterback.

That was a three-point game and since then the Hawks have ripped off five consecutive wins. Dow has clearly grown into his role. He rushed for two touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass to Danny Lazic in Maine South’s 38-21 win against New Trier on Friday.

It looks like quarterback Bobby Inserra, who guided Maine South to wins against Glenbard West and Mount Carmel, will be back in time for the playoffs. Inserra was injured in the second half of the win against the Caravan.

“We’re trying to find out what Cole does versus what Bobby does,” Hawks coach Dave Inserra said. “I think Bobby will be back fresh for the playoffs and then we can use them both.”

Dow started the season as a wide receiver and Bobby Inserra is capable of playing receiver and running back.

That would be a huge boost for Maine South, which is one of a handful of Class 8A teams that could be able to challenge runaway favorite Lincoln-Way East.

Playoff situation

Joliet Herald News Sports Editor Steve Soucie has been crunching the numbers all weekend. According to Soucie there are 303 teams still eligible to gain one of the 256 spots in the state playoffs.

There are 167 teams already in with six or more wins and 39 teams still undefeated. Two games in Week 9 feature undefeated teams: Kenwood vs. Payton at Gately and Brother Rice at Montini.

Hilltopper hopes

Joliet Catholic is one of those teams still battling for a playoff spot. The Hilltoppers have won 13 state titles, more than any other school. But they missed the playoffs the past two years, something unheard of in the past.

So far this season Joliet Catholic has beaten the teams it was supposed to: St. Rita, St. Viator, Carmel and Marian Catholic. Its losses are to good or excellent teams: IC Catholic, Marist, Benet and Nazareth.

Joliet Catholic running back Keenan Hailey is a force, he scored four touchdowns and rushed for 254 yards against St. Viator. The senior will have to come up big in Week 9 at Notre Dame. Without a win against the Dons the Hilltoppers will miss the playoffs again.

Still unbeaten

Antioch hasn’t received much attention this season but that may change after knocking off Lakes 43-24 on Friday. The Sequoits scored 36 unanswered points in the comeback win.

Antioch is undefeated and has held five opponents to eight points or fewer.

Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is one of the state’s top recruits. The 6-4, 190-pound sophomore already has scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Central Michigan.

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