Week 3 of high school football had fewer surprises compared to the initial weeks. The leading teams held their positions with minor upsets. Despite the calm, several significant performances emerged. An unusual fact stood out: five Southland teams are 3-0 and seem likely to secure playoff spots before Labor Day.
Oak Lawn’s Revenge and South Suburban Red Developments
The previous season, Oak Lawn made headlines with their performance despite only winning two games between 2022 and 2024. Last fall, they won seven of their first eight games until Reavis defeated them 42-0 in Week 9. St. Laurence then eliminated Oak Lawn with a 49-19 victory in the Class 6A playoff opener, concluding their season on a bitter note.
This week, Oak Lawn took revenge against Reavis, winning 48-14. Senior fullback Jayden Schlosser led with 214 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Oak Lawn, now 3-0, averages 55.3 points per game. Although their early opponents are a combined 1-5, Oak Lawn’s potential is noteworthy for the South Suburban Red run. Richards remains the favorite in the conference, yet they struggled offensively and narrowly beat Evergreen Park 20-13 in Week 3.
The competitive landscape suggests Evergreen Park can contend strongly. Upcoming matches for Shepard against Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn look promising. Competitive balance among these teams makes the season thrilling.
Early Playoff Prospects in New Lenox
The playoff expansion means all teams with three wins will likely advance to the postseason. This situation allows for early celebrations in New Lenox at Providence and Lincoln-Way West. On Friday, Providence showcased an impressive 27-0 victory over Joliet Catholic. Their defense proved formidable after earlier lapses, and senior running back Broden Mackert, along with Brayden McKay, delivered key plays. McKay’s kickoff return for a touchdown was notable.
Lincoln-Way West stands 3-0, outscoring opponents 90-13. Their upcoming schedule presents challenges, yet they appear prepared. Like Oak Lawn and Lincoln-Way East, Sandburg is also 3-0, slated for the playoffs. While early anticipation of postseason qualifications exists, these teams are now focused on securing opening-round byes.
Notable Score: Tinley Park 50, Argo 0
Tinley Park’s 50-0 win over Argo isn’t shocking given Argo’s struggles. Nonetheless, Tinley Park’s season under new coach James Washington deserves attention. After a 1-8 last season, they are now 2-1 and average 43 points per game. They lost narrowly to Grayslake Central 41-31 in the opener, then dominated Romeoville 47-6.
Senior quarterback Randy Ludke excels with 633 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four rushing scores. Senior Noah James adds strength with 15 catches. Tinley Park faces a test against Oak Forest, who last season won 43-7 against them.
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