Class 8A: No. 3 Lincoln-Way East at No. 12 Warren, 7 p.m. Saturday
Lincoln-Way East (11-0) is seeking its fifth trip to the semifinals since 2017. The Griffins have a savvy veteran quarterback in Braden Tischer and a productive back in Nuri Muhammad. And the offense doesn’t have to light up the scoreboard, thanks to a defense that hasn’t allowed more than 14 points and has shut out its last three opponents. Junior edge rusher Caden O’Rourke, whose scholarship offers include Illinois, Iowa and Northwestern, is a playmaker. Warren (9-2) has won nine in a row after opening with losses to fellow quarterfinalists Barrington and Maine South. As usual, the Blue Devils play tough defense (eight points per game allowed during their winning streak) and run the ball well with sophomore Aaron Stewart (1,446 yards, 15 TDs) and senior Donovan McNeal (941 yards, 23 TDs).
