Who wants to win a championship?

Coach Sly knows the last week of regular season play is a monster around here with East-North and Batavia-Geneva on tap, but you might as well call Week 8 championship week. The games this Friday are HUGE!

Let's start in Maple Park. Coach Sly thinks Glenbard South is gonna go down to either Rochelle or Sycamore, so Sly considers the winner of Geneva-Kaneland the likely winner of the Western Sun championship. The talent gap between these teams isn't much this year so Coach Sly thinks it's gonna come down to coaching, holdin on to the beloved pigskin and which team plays with the most passion from start to finish.

Kaneland ain't going to get many cracks at the Tri-Cities in the years to come so this is a golden chance for the Knights program to leave a lasting impression. Kaneland's gotta try and rattle Geneva's QB early and put up some early points to get some separation. If it comes down to the fourth quarter, Sly likes Geneva. The Vikings are deeper and have shown they're a helluva second half team. Coach Sly wouldn't want to be a gassed, two-way player for Kaneland having to tackle Santa with the game on the line late.

St. Charles East can stay perfect in the UEC with a win against Neuqua. Another game where Sly thinks the first half is a big deal. Keep Neuqua feelin' sorry for themselves, then pound away behind that big ole offensive line in the second half, and the Saints will be sniffin' a championship something fierce.

North's DBs better be on their toes against South Elgin. The Storm can hurt you through the air, but Sly thinks North has the right guys to keep 'em at bay. North needs to tend to its passing game some, too, and get its receivers feelin' good about itself going into the playoffs. Sly thinks North wins again and sets up a great game in St. Charles to close the regular season.

Lastly, Sly noticed Marmion has arrived in the 6A poll. Well deserved, Cadets. You can send those thank you notes for Coach Sly's publicity campaign c/of the Chronicle. Sly accepts gifts in the form of Cadet sweatshirts or hoodies, children's medium, to warm Sly up for some playoff viewin'!