Steve Millar’s 5 high school football games to watch in the Southland and Week 2 predictions
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Homewood-Flossmoor, Crete-Monee, Oak Forest, Lincoln-Way East and Mount Carmel are the picks to click for Week 2.
Richards (0-1) at Homewood-Flossmoor (1-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Homewood-Flossmoor made one of the biggest opening statements in the state in Week 1, crushing Bolingbrook 31-0.
Junior receiver John Gadson was the big-play target for senior quarterback Rahsaan Coleman in the opener, hauling in four catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Senior defensive lineman David Hill, a Wisconsin recruit, is a load for opposing offenses to handle.
Richards is looking to get rolling after a 32-22 loss to DePaul Prep. The Bulldogs scored just one TD on offense in Week 1, with one score each coming on defense and special teams, so they will look for a spark behind senior quarterback Eric Jacobs.
X-factor: Pierre Ray, Richards, junior, receiver/defensive back/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Homewood-Flossmoor.
Hillcrest (0-1) at Crete-Monee (0-1)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: This looks to be a key game for both programs that want to get on track and avoid starting out 0-2.
Crete-Monee, which lost 25-15 to Yorkville in its opener, would like to lean on the running back duo of senior Trevon Williams and junior George Butler to get the offense going. Senior defensive lineman Kamal Bryant is a strong pass rusher capable of wreaking havoc.
Hillcrest has yet to score in 2026 after a 12-0 loss to Thornwood. Senior quarterback Micah Robinson, who is capable of making plays with his arm and his legs, looks to change that.
Sophomore defensive lineman Gabriel Woodhouse had a breakout performance in Week 1, recording two sacks and five tackles.
X-factor: Dominic Jackson, Crete-Monee, senior, defensive lineman/fullback.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Crete-Monee.
Stagg (1-0) at Oak Forest (0-1)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: With a 6-3 win over Romeoville in Week 1, Stagg snapped a 10-game losing streak. The Chargers will now look to win back-to-back games for the first time since the first two weeks of the 2024 season.
Junior running back Damani Morris was a workhorse for Stagg last week, carrying the ball 27 times for 203 yards, including the game’s lone TD on a 7-yard run.
Senior linebacker Zaid Dairieh had an interception to highlight a dominant defensive performance.
Oak Forest dropped a 21-18 heartbreaker to Andrew but has its own stalwart in the backfield in senior running back William McMaster, who posted this week on X that he has received an invitational to the All-American Exposure Bowl.
X-factor: Neiko LeFlore, Oak Forest, senior, receiver/defensive back.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Oak Forest.
Lincoln-Way East (1-0) at Kankakee (1-0)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: Lincoln-Way East came into the season with more questions than normal, but the Griffins certainly answered them well in a 22-21 upset of Brother Rice in Week 1.
Junior quarterback Evan LeFevour turned in a steady performance against a tough Crusaders defense, tossing a pair of TD passes. Senior Aidan Cavanaugh is a tough running back.
Senior defensive back Charlie Palmer, a Central Michigan recruit, sets the tone for the Griffins. He and Nate Walenga each had an interception in the opener.
Kankakee, which is coming off of a 28-7 win over Edwardsville, will test the Lincoln-Way East defense. Senior Phillip Turner is an experienced dual-threat quarterback for the Kays.
X-factor: Jayden Cawthon, Lincoln-Way East, senior, receiver.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Lincoln-Way East.
St. Joseph Regional of New Jersey (0-0) at Mount Carmel (0-1)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Friday.
Matchup breakdown: After a disastrous fourth quarter led to a 42-23 loss to East St. Louis, snapping its 19-game winning streak, Mount Carmel will look to bounce back in a game that will be televised by ESPN.
It certainly will not be easy against St. Joseph from Montvale, New Jersey. The Green Knights won the program’s 20th state championship last fall but will be playing without coach Augie Hoffmann.
Hoffman was suspended two games for violating offseason training policies, which ironically also led to Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch being suspended for two practices.
Senior quarterback Brady Cloherty, a Plainfield East transfer, figures to make his first start for the Caravan after throwing two TDs off the bench in Week 1.
X-factor: Marshaun Thornton, Mount Carmel, junior, receiver/kick returner.
Steve Millar’s prediction: Mount Carmel.
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