Football Quarterfinal Previews: 5 metro-east teams still in the hunt for state titles

Who’s ready for some quarterfinal football playoff action?

Five metro-east teams made it through to the third round, with Althoff back at home this weekend and East St. Louis hitting the road for the first time this postseason.

Here is a look at all games involving local teams. Every game listed takes place Saturday.

CLASS 1A

NO. 4 CASEY-WESTFIELD WARRIORS at NO. 1 ALTHOFF CRUSADERS

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Althoff High School.

Althoff coach: Austin Frazier.

2024 record: 11-0.

Round 2 result: The Crusaders defeated No. 9 Carrollton 42-21.

Players to watch: University of Oregon commit Dierre Hill Jr., a senior RB, enjoyed a fantastic regular season for the Crusaders, leading the entire area in several categories. Overall, he has rushed for 1,715 yards and 29 touchdowns. Sophomore QB Jayden Ellington has thrown for 1,753 yards and 30 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions. Senior WR Charleston Coldon has caught 34 passes for 691 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Casey-Westfield coach: Jeff Fritchtnitch.

2024 record: 10-1.

Round 2 result: The Warriors defeated No. 12 Mt. Sterling 16-0.

Players to watch: Junior QB Nolan Clement has thrown for 1,458 yards and 19 touchdown passes this season. Junior running back Luke Karras has 15 touchdowns, while senior WR has 13 touchdowns.

Notes: Althoff used a 37-point 2nd quarter to pull away from Carrollton. The Crusaders led 43-3 at halftime and cruised to victory. Freshman Logan Thompson returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.

Round 4: The winner faces No. 3 Camp Point Central (10-1) or No. 2 Hardin Calhoun (10-1) in the state semifinals.

CLASS 4A

NO. 12 MT. ZION BRAVES at NO. 1 BREESE CENTRAL COUGARS

Kickoff: 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Breese Central High School.

Breese Central coach: Brian Short.

2024 record: 11-0.

Round 2 result: The Cougars defeated No. 9 Murphysboro 34-7.

Player to watch: Senior QB Preston Baker has enjoyed a sensational season. Through 10 games, he has completed 109 passes in 162 attempts for 2,173 yards and 30 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions. Baker’s two favorite receives have been senior Carter Deien, who has 37 receptions for 893 yards and 7 touchdowns; and senior Griffen Becker, who has 37 receptions for 818 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Mt. Zion coach: Patrick Etherton.

2024 record: 8-3.

Round 2 result: The Braves defeated No. 13 Peoria Notre Dame 43-28 in the second round.

Players to watch: Junior QB Keller Stocks has thrown for 2,613 yards and 32 touchdown passes; he also has 8 rushing TDs. Junior WR leads the team with 13 touchdowns.

Notes: Baker connected with Deien for a 65-yard touchdown pass the first play from scrimmage against Murphysboro. The Cougars have outscored their two playoff opponents 76-14.

Round 4: The winner faces either No. 6 Cahokia (9-2) or No. 10 Normal University (9-2) in the semifinals.

NO. 10 NORMAL UNIVERSITY PIONEERS @ NO. 6 CAHOKIA COMANCHES

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Cahokia High School.

Cahokia coach: Darien Donald.

2024 record: 9-2.

Round 2 result: The Comanches defeated No. 3 Waterloo 40-20.

Players to watch: Senior QB Zion Taylor has completed 155 passes in 220 attempts for 2,445 yards and 21 touchdowns. He boasts a passer rating of 134.950. Taylor’s favorite target has been senior WR Correyontae Midgett, who has caught 115 passes for 849 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Normal University coach: Brody Walworth.

2024 record: 9-2.

Round 2 result: The Pioneers defeated No. 2 Olney Richland County 48-13 in the second round.

Players to watch: Senior QB Alek Weiland has thrown for 3,231 yards and 40 touchdowns this season. Junior WR Cade Cunningham has 15 touchdown receptions; senior RB Carson Stevens has rushed for 13 touchdowns and caught 5 touchdown passes.

Notes: Taylor threw for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win against Waterloo, while Midgett rushed for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns. The score was tied 20-20 after 3 quarters before Cahokia erupted for 20 unanswered points the final 12 minutes.

Round 4: The winner faces either No. 1 Breese Central (11-0) or No. 12 Mt. Zion (8-3) in the state semifinals.

CLASS 6A

NO. 1 EAST ST. LOUIS FLYERS AT NO. 5 CHATHAM GLENWOOD TITANS

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Chatham Glenwood High School.

East St. Louis coach: Darren Sunkett.

2024 record: 10-1.

Round 2 result: The Flyers defeated No. 8 Normal West 48-0.

Player to watch: Senior QB Kendrick Lyons threw 17 touchdown passes during the regular season and has added 5 more to his total in the postseason. He threw 3 touchdowns in a 67-0 opening round win against Springfield before firing 2 more against Normal West.

Chatham Glenwood coach: David Hay.

2024 record: 9-2

Round 2 result: Chatham Glenwood defeated No. 13 Oak Forest 42-21.

Notes: East St. Louis has outscored its first two playoff opponents 115-0. The Flyers’ defense has allowed just three 1st downs and has not allowed the opposition to pass midfield the first two playoff rounds. The Titans enter the quarterfinals on a 5-game winning streak.

Round 4: The winner faces No. 3 Kankakee (10-1) or No. 2 Oak Lawn Richards (10-1) in the semifinals.

OTHER PLAYOFF GAMES

Here is a snapshot of the other local quarterfinal round playoff game:

CLASS 3A

• No. 4 seed Nashville (10-1) at No. 9 seed Tolono Unity (8-3): 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Tolono Unity High School. The winner faces either No. 6 Monticello (9-2) or No. 10 Benton (8-3) in the state semifinals.