Week 3 Preview

Week 3 brings the defending champion Addison Trail Blazers to a critical early-season crossroads. After opening the season with losses to Belvidere County and Indian Land, the Blazers enter Friday night at 0–2 and now face perhaps their toughest challenge yet: the undefeated DeMatha Catholic Stags.

DeMatha has quietly emerged as one of the league's early powers. The Stags opened the season with a thrilling 34–31 victory over Streamwood before defeating Highland 31–27 last week. At 2–0, DeMatha is tied with Indian Land for the league lead and has already demonstrated an ability to win close games.

For Addison Trail, however, this isn't simply another game. The Blazers are the defending champions, but another loss would leave them at 0–3 and facing a very different path toward the postseason. A victory over DeMatha would immediately change the conversation and put the defending champs back into the playoff picture.

Elsewhere, Belvidere County returns from its Week 2 bye to face a Streamwood team coming off an impressive 30–6 victory over Winthrop. The Seaters remain unbeaten at 1–0, while Streamwood has rebounded from its opening-week loss to DeMatha with a convincing win.

Winthrop and Highland will both be looking for their first victories when they meet in the other Week 3 matchup. Highland has lost two games by a combined seven points, while Winthrop is coming off its first game of the season.