Central Catholic High School's football team can't be any more prepared for the playoffs.

Or can it?

The Saints faced five teams that qualified for the playoffs the last five weeks, including a dramatic 42-39 four-overtime victory against previously unbeaten Tolono Unity in last week's regular-season finale.

Now, Central Catholic meets a school with as many state titles (three) in its trophy case - and an offense the Saints rarely see.

Stillman Valley (7-2) faces sixth-ranked Central Catholic (8-1) in a Class 4A first-round playoff game at 1:30 p.m. today at Bill Hundman Memorial Field. The wishbone offense which netted Coach Mike Lalor and Stillman Valley Class 2A titles in 1999 and 2000 and the 3A crown in 2003 remains in place.

"Most successful programs don't change much. They've been very good for a long time," said Central Catholic coach Bobby Moews. "They have an excellent coach and good tradition. They play good, solid football."

Another Intercity team, Normal West, takes a bus trip to the Chicago suburbs. The Wildcats (6-3) meet Oak Forest (7-2) in a Class 6A first-round game at 6 p.m.

Central-Stillman Valley

Stillman Valley, which finished second in the Big Northern Conference's West Division, has won six of its last seven games. The Cardinals lost to division champion Oregon 14-7 two weeks ago.

"Our line has to stay low. They fire off the ball and will block anything in their path," said Moews. "Our line definitely has to stay low and try to stand them up and our DBs (defensive backs) have to read their keys.

"They'll throw and pop a pass in there. You have to be ready for it. They don't throw much, but it's usually for big yardage."

Central Catholic is the No. 4 seed in the 4A upper bracket, while Stillman Valley is No. 13.

Fullback Jake Grover is the Cardinals' leading rusher with 576 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Jake Hobby has gained 546 yards. Stillman Valley rotates quarterbacks, with probable starter Mike Rich completing 23 of 38 attempts for 346 yards and six TDs and Jordan Thibodeau going 22 of 34 for 408 yards and five TDs.

"They're great kids and we didn't think it was fair for either to sit all year," said Lalor of his quarterback duo. "They've alternated and also play on defense. It's worked out well."

Stillman Valley does break out of its wishbone on occasion, but Moews said the Cardinals' premise is "to run it at you and say, 'This is what we do, can you stop it?' "

"It all trickles down from the college stuff, and now people are going to the spread thing. But this fits our kids," said Lalor. "We've never had great speed and stuff. Running the spread option doesn't match up with the kids we have."

Lalor said one of the Cardinals' biggest challenges will be trying to neutralize 300-pound Josh Brent in the middle of the Saints' defense.

Offensively, Brent and the line have sprung halfback Ryan Waldron for 1,161 yards. Quarterback Kyle Hundman has completed 69 of 147 attempts for 1,277 yards and 11 TDs. Wide receiver Javier Safford (16 receptions, 398 yards, four TDs) has come on strong in recent weeks and provides a nice complement to Bobby Selzer (21-461-6).

"I'm very impressed by them. To me they have no weaknesses on that team," said Lalor of the Saints. "They're definitely a state title-caliber team."

The Central Catholic-Stillman Valley winner advances to the second round to meet Morton or fourth-ranked Addison Driscoll.

West-Oak Forest

West has won its 6A opening-round playoff game the last two years. Coach Darren Hess said the 11th-seeded Wildcats will need an all-out effort to make it three straight against No. 6-seed Oak Forest.

"This team is pretty talented. They return 40 seniors from a team that went to the quarters last year," said Hess. "Micky Nicholas is the key to their offense."

Nicholas, a senior quarterback, has directed the Bengals' option offense to 34.7 points per game. The senior has completed 68 of 125 attempts for 1,300 yards while rushing for 663 yards.

Fullback Sean Bryce is Oak Forest's leading rusher with 1,141 yards, while Jake Gloodt has caught 28 passes for 657 yards. The Bengals finished second in the South Suburban Conference Blue Division to Lemont.

"We try to mix it up a little bit," said Oak Forest coach Brian McDonough. "We have decent size. We're not small. We try (offensively) to do all facets of the game."

Ross Schmillen will get his third straight at quarterback for the Wildcats after Todd Albert was lost for the season with a thumb injury. West kept the ball almost exclusively on the ground during last week's 20-13 victory over Mattoon, throwing two passes (both incomplete).

Sophomore Darius Bell ran for 161 yards last week to increase his West-leading season total to 875 yards.

"The biggest thing we need is to get turnovers defensively or force them to drive the whole length of the field," said Hess. "Offensively we've got to be able to throw the ball a little more than we have, hang onto the football and do the best we can running the football.

"The great thing about the playoffs is everyone has a 0-0 start. We're starting to click and show signs. Hopefully this game brings it all out."

A second-round game next week against Thornton Fractional North or Thornton Fractional South awaits the West-Oak Forest winner.