Suddenly, Sandburg Football Playoff Picture is a Bit Muddled

It was an edge-of-your seat ending Friday night at Lockport. Sandburg had a late 21-14 lead, but Lockport's Billy Reed was able to run the two-minute offense with great success to tie things at 21. Ted Vergados' 52-yard field goal attempt as time expired was blocked, and the Porters went on to win 27-24 in overtime. 

With one week left in the regular season, many questions remain. Can the Eagles make the playoffs by getting the critical sixth win? They could make it with just five, but a sixth would assure them a spot. So, how does the picture look?

Lincoln-Way East has clinched at least a tie for the Southwest Suburban Blue Conference crown following a 42-0 victory over Joliet Central. Lockport is in the playoffs by virtue of its win over Sandburg.  and now the Vikings are poised to join the playoff party, too.

Lincoln-Way East likely will be one of the top seeds in the  Class 7A playoffs. Sandburg, at 5-3, is fighting to join Lockport, H-F and the rest of the crowd in 8A. The playoffs are on the Eagles' radar, but coach Dave Wierzal wants his team to focus on the task at hand: beating H-F.

"Our focus has to be to be a better team," Wierzal said. "I don't want to start thinking about being in the playoffs until we get to be the team we can be."