Week 3’s top five games

No. 1 Loyola (2-0) vs. No. 2 Mount Carmel (2-0) at Gately, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

The best game of the week has the potential to be the game of the season. Loyola, the defending Class 8A state champs, are coming off a wild 44-43 win against No. 7 Maine South where they were tested in every phase of the game. Senior tight end and Duke recruit Jake Marwede has been a standout performer for the Ramblers in each of the first two games. Mount Carmel has blown out each of its first two opponents. Although the Caravan are a young team, they are very talented with a junior class boasting size, speed and tons of potential.

No. 3 Homewood-Flossmoor (2-0) at No. 5 Lincoln-Way East (2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Homewood-Flossmoor is one of the most athletic teams in the area, boasting explosive junior running back Justin Hall, new Northern Illinois wide receiver commit Tyrice Richie, and offensive lineman Jamezz Kimbrough. This will be the first test of the season for both teams. Lincoln-Way East’s offense has been explosive, posting 84 points in the first two games while allowing just 12. The Vikings have put up similar stats, scoring 110 points and allowing 12. This game will give us a good indication of where these two top-tier teams stack up in conference.

No. 8 Neuqua Valley (2-0) at No. 14 Waubonsie Valley (2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Both Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley hit the ground running this season and are in the hunt for the DuPage Valley title, so this game could determine the eventual champion. Waubonsie Valley tight end Charles Robinson had a standout game in Week 2, catching a two-point conversion pass with 14.8 seconds left to beat Glenbard North 29-28. Neuqua Valley is loaded with talented athletes including Notre Dame wide receiver commit Isaiah Robertson and Navy wide receiver pledge Owen Piche.

No. 21 Montini (1-1) at No. 24 Fenwick, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Montini found its stride in Week 2 against Lake Zurich with a 19-7 victory. The defending Class 6A state champions will face a promising Friars team. The Broncos stud running back, Prince Walker, sat last week due to injury but junior quarterback Matt Morrissey showed agility and poise. Fenwick is led by standout athlete Jacob Keller, who plays quarterback and is also a hoops standout. Fenwick proved its offense is powerful in a come from behind win against defending Class 4A champions Phillips in Week 1.

Phillips (1-1) vs. Simeon (0-2) at Gately, on Saturday, 7:15 p.m.

Phillips, the defending Class 4A champions, is coming off a big win against a young, talented Richards team. In what is becoming a Public League tradition, they take on rival Simeon in the battle to determine which team is the best in the Public League. Simeon played a tough slate in the first two weeks, with losses to No. 10 Oak Park-River Forest and No. 9 Marist and needs to rebound against a talented Wildcats team if they want to gain momentum heading into their conference slate.