We are already past the halfway point of the high school football regular season.

We have some unexpected teams who have already punched their ticket to the playoffs — Oak Lawn, anyone? — and some perennial powers whose postseason hopes are in peril.

As we head into the back half of the season, let’s take a look at where everyone stands in the Southland with my Week 5 impressions.

Who’s in? Who’s out? Breaking down the playoff picture

We have seven area teams who are still undefeated and have clinched playoff eligibility in Brother Rice, Mount Carmel, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Lincoln-Way East, Sandburg and Lincoln-Way West.

I’m going to say that each of the five Southland teams that are currently sitting at 4-1 will get a fifth win. That puts Ag Science, Richards, Reavis, Lincoln-Way Central and St. Laurence in the playoff field.

With a couple caveats.

Ag Science, which plays in the Public League Southwest, must finish in the top two of that conference to be playoff eligible. I say the Cyclones will do that.

St. Laurence, meanwhile, has a loaded final-month schedule that will make qualifying no gimme, but I see the Vikings finding a way to win at least one more.

On the other end of the spectrum, our five winless teams — De La Salle, Bremen, Argo, Thornridge and Stagg — can turn their focus toward improving ahead of next season.

St. Laurence’s Matthew Williams scores on a 76-yard catch-and-run play against Leo during a nonconference game at St. Xavier in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

There are eight 1-4 teams and I can actually see a path toward qualification for three of them — more on that later — but don’t see it happening for reigning state champion Chicago Christian, along with Marian Catholic, T.F. South, Tinley Park and Shepard.

So that puts us with 12 teams in, 10 teams out and 19 teams squarely on the bubble. Let’s break down that bubble.

Morgan Park and Crete-Monee are 3-2 but shouldn’t have much trouble getting to five wins. T.F. North, Evergreen Park, Homewood-Flossmoor and Andrew are also 3-2 with slightly more treacherous paths, but I think they all get in, too.

Rich Township and Bloom also sit at 3-2, but I have to lean toward no on that duo.

Leo, Eisenhower and Thornton are 2-3 teams that I don’t see getting in. Lockport, though?

The Porters are 2-3 with not much margin for error. A Week 7 game against Sandburg will be tough, but I think Lockport can win the other three and get in.

Now let’s talk about what could end up being the two most important games of the regular season as far as playoff implications go.

Lemont (3-2) hosts Hillcrest (2-3) in Week 7 and will likely need a win before closing with Richards and Oak Forest. The Hawks have winnable games with Bremen and Tinley Park in front of them and could steal a playoff bid with a victory here.

I’ll take Lemont to win this one and get in, though.

In Week 9, the Holy War pits Providence (3-2) against host Joliet Catholic (1-4). There’s a very realistic scenario where the Hilltoppers come in at 3-5, but with one of the highest opponent-win totals in the state giving them a chance to get in with four wins. The Celtics could be 4-4 with less opponent wins and needing a victory.

Right now, I’d pick Joliet Catholic to beat the Celtics in the finale to get to 4-5, then cross its fingers that that’s enough.

That covers 16 of the bubble teams. Three more to go.

Marist’s Kevin Bartolotta (2) turns the corner against St. Rita during a nonconference game in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Keep the hope

There are two more 1-4 teams that I believe could make the playoffs.

Marist barely stayed alive Friday night, edging IC Catholic 29-28 as the Knights missed a game-tying extra point and then a game-winning field-goal attempt in the final minutes.

Junior running back Conor Hunt ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns to help the RedHawks get their first win.

Marist now has a huge game Friday night at Providence. If the RedHawks can get by this one, they can get to 5-4. Check out my five games to watch later this week for a prediction on that one.

The other team? Here’s one that’s way off the radar. Thornwood is 1-4, but has some winnable games ahead. It could come down to Week 8 against winless Stagg. I’d pick the Chargers in that one, but don’t count out Thornwood quite yet.

St. Rita’s Brandon Johnson Jr (23) makes his way toward the sideline for a big run against Marist during a nonconference crossover game in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Most eye-opening score

St. Rita 48, Notre Dame 13.

Don’t forget about the Mustangs. Brandon Johnson Jr. ran for two TDs and St. Rita rolled to get to 2-3.

This week against Nazareth will be tough but I expect the Mustangs to win their final three games and make the playoffs with a chance to go on a run in Class 7A.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/29/steve-millar-3-takeaways-week-5-ihsa-football-southland/