If you want pressure, there is nothing quite like a semifinal setting. The conference championship games in the NFL, the conference finals in the NBA and NHL, the league championship series in baseball, those are the arenas where pressure is at a peak.

On this semifinal week in the state high school football playoffs, the positive thought is our area has a good chance to boast two winners, two teams advancing to next weekend's state championships in Champaign.

T he Joliet Catholic Academy football team in on a roll on both sides of the ball. The way Providence Catholic played in the second half of last week's 44-14 victory over Crete-Monee, the Celtics look as good as anyone, regardless of class.

The roster lists Jordan Lyles at 5-8, 170 pounds. OK, that probably is about right. But that hardly translates into what you imagine as your ideal fullback. Then again, in Joliet Catholic Academy's double-wing offense, it works.

Years ago, I recall asking legendary local coach Gordie Gillespie about what makes the Joliet area athlete special. We were talking football at the time, but what Gordie had to say applied to all sports across the board.

Defense is the name of the game. Always has been. The adage is especially true in this day and age, when most high school football teams are capable of hurting you both in the running game and with their sophisticated passing games.

In life, things do not always work out the way we want. And yet, there is nothing wrong with positive dreaming. How about the following scenario for the state high school football playoffs? In Class 6A, Providence Catholic beats Crete-Monee on Saturday afternoon to advance to the semifinals.

When Joliet Catholic Academy made the long trip to Cahokia last Saturday for its second-round game in the Class 5A state football playoffs, Hilltopper fans had reason for concern.

Joliet Township High School boys basketball coach Luke Yaklich has been interested in providing kids an opportunity to learn basketball in a fun atmosphere. "In the past we did not have the right scenario facility-wise," he said. But now, his dream is about to be realized.

Dick Goss: The Joliet area has nine teams remaining in the state high school football playoff hunt, with second-round games on tap this weekend. And so far, we still have the potential to send a team to the championship game in any of the six classes from 3A through 8A.

Lincoln-Way East upheld the honor of the Joliet area last week when the Griffins opened the Class 7A state high school football playoffs with a 35-7 win over Belleville West. Joliet Catholic Academy did the same with a 48-7 thumping of Troy Triad in 5A, and Minooka joined in with a 44-25 win over 7A foe Edwardsville.

Dick Goss: As I reviewed the matchups in the nine second-round playoff football games involving area high schools, a thought occurred. Honestly, virtually every game can go either way.

Speed on speed. That is what is brewing for Saturday's Class 5A football second-round playoff matchup between Joliet Catholic Academy and Cahokia, one of nine weekend games involving area teams.
Following are the second-round game times.

Dick Goss: The regular season is one thing. Once you enter the high school football playoffs, everything begins anew. That's the way Wilmington High School viewed its situation Friday night, when neighboring rival Reed-Custer came calling for a Class 3A opening-round battle.

The nine Friday night high school football playoff games involving area schools are likely to be played in rain and wind. Let's take a look at a sampling of our playoff quarterbacks who caught my eye during the season, beginning in Class 8A.

Morris finishes 5-4 to qualify for the state high school football playoffs, gets in as the largest Class 4A school rather than landing in 5A, and then the Redskins draw Chicago Raby for an opening-round opponent at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hanson Stadium.

The state high school football playoffs lump schools of similar enrollment into each of the eight classes. The idea is that everyone begins the playoffs on somewhat of an equal playing field.

As I composed the accompanying chart that details the starting times for this weekend's opening-round games involving area schools in the state high school football playoffs, I could not help but think about what may be in store for next week.
Here are the first-round game times in Class 3A through 8A:

Dick Goss: Minooka High School last participated in the state football playoffs in 2003. That Minooka team, coached by current Plainfield South coach Mike Briscoe, was tough. Those Indians went toe to toe with the big boys, never backing down. The trademark is back.