Eagles Know Another Win Will Make Playoffs Official

When Sandburg's football team took care of business in routing Joliet Central 42-6 last Saturday, the Eagles (5-2) took a giant step toward returning to the Class 8A  state playoffs.

But coach Dave Wierzal is not about to take anything for granted. He knows a win Friday against a talented Bolingbrook squad may be needed to seal the deal.

"It helps," he said when asked if he felt the big win over the Steelmen had locked up a playoff berth. "My concern with the playoff points system they use is that 5-4 is not automatic. It should give us a chance at it, but it's not automatic."

That's why the Eagles would like to either knock off the Raiders (4-3) or close out the season with a victory over Lockport (4-3). Or both.

"We can't focus on the record. We have to focus on being the best football team we can be," Wierzal said.

Winless Joliet Central may not have provided a strong barometer, but the Eagles did play well in all facets last week. The first team defense dominated, five different players tallied touchdowns and Kyle Williams turned in a dazzling 80—yard kickoff return that was called back by a blocking in the back penalty.

Quarterback Cody Miller, who was 3-for-4 for 86 yards and a TD in limited duty, said he expects the Eagles to do whatever it takes to prepare for the battle with Bolingbrook.

"We're gong to have to watch a lot of film and have a hard week of practicing," he said. "Hopefully, both sides of the ball come out and we do what we have to do."

Wierzal was a little surprised that Bolingbrook was on the losing end of a lopsided 43-7 score with first-place Lincoln-Way East last Friday, but he's still well aware of the Raiders' abilities.

"I've seen them play and they have talent," he said. "They've got the big-play threat in them and they play tough defense. They're playing for a playoff opportunity, so they're in the same boat as us."

The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bolingbrook.