Kennedy’s chances of returning to the IHSA playoffs for the second straight year and the third time in program history remain alive.

The Crusaders edged Comer 9-8 on Oct. 11 at Rockne Stadium to clinch second place in the Public Southwest.

Even if Kennedy (5-2, 3-1) loses to Vocational (1-5, 1-3) in Week 8, it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Comer for second place. The Crusaders will have a Week 9 game against the runner-up from another Public League conference, with the winner qualifying for the state playoffs.

Against Comer, Mason Rychetsky scored on a 1-yard run and David Solarczyk kicked a 26-yard field goal late in the third quarter for a 9-0 Kennedy lead.

Comer scored a touchdown and got a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

Victor Leal had an interception and Jacob Tunstill recovered an onside kick to help Kennedy stay ahead. Angel Jaquez had a 27-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

“We got Victor back on defense (after an injury),” Kennedy coach Rob Albano said of Leal. “That was huge.”

There was more good news for the Crusaders, too.

“This was the healthiest we’ve been since Week 1,” Albano said.

Bogan 12, Bowen 8: Jaylen Brown caught the go-ahead touchdown pass from Xavier Terrell with 44 seconds left as Bogan (6-1, 4-0 Public Blue Southeast) won on Oct. 9.

Terrell threw for 102 yards and two touchdowns, and also had a 59-yard run to set up the decisive score.

Perspectives 30, Goode 22: Aedan Cleveland ran nine times for 128 yards with touchdowns of 41 and 39 yards for Goode (6-1, 4-1 Public South) on Oct. 11. The Knights dropped into a tie for second in the conference with Perspectives (4-3, 4-1). 

Goode plays league leader Corliss (5-2, 5-0) on Oct. 17.

Quaylen Dobbs had 27 carries for 66 yards, including a 10-yard TD, for the Knights. Goode hit a 39-yard pass from Jayden Patterson-Veal to Dobbs on third down with 1:50 left in the game, but the comeback bid fell short.

Zacharias Pagan had eight tackles for Goode, three more than Deyonte Evans and Kayvion Campbell. Dobbs added four tackles and two quarterback hurries.

Washington 48, Gage Park 12: Kenneth Wright ran a kickoff back 80 yards for a touchdown for Gage Park (1-6, 0-4 Public Blue Central) on Oct. 11. The Owls also had a 40-yard TD pass from Zackery Kidd to Tamarion Jude. Yeemie Tiawan led the Gage Park defense with 11 solo tackles and a sack.