Selection Saturday is almost here

It's become the most anticipated night of the high school sports season - Selection Saturday as the 256-team football playoff field and pairings are announced. It's become a big event for TV, radio and the internet throughout the state with teams hosting friends and families for parties to see who they're opening up with.
Some teams expected to be here and others will enjoy their surprise trips. This will be a nerve-wracking week for teams with 4-4 records to get the fifth win to qualify with an at-large berth. And for teams that played weaker schedules, they'll be scrambling to find results of games involving schools they may have never even heard of to see if their position has been enhanced.

Here's a look at the outlook for the Mid-Suburban League teams and Leyden going into Week 9 with record. Probable playoff points based on what could or should happen in that team's schedule in the final week.

THEY'RE IN
BARRINGTON (6-2, 44-45 points)
After being one of the 5-win teams left out last year, the Broncos knew they were in after Week 7 this year. Tough OT loss at Fremd last week puts them in position to win at Conant tonight to have shot at a home opener.

FREMD (6-2, 43 points)
Wrapped up berth and extended Mid-Suburban League streak of 14 straight playoff trips with dramatic OT win over Barrington. Win over Hoffman Estates could give Vikings a shot at a home opener.

PALATINE (6-2, 36-37 points)
Sealed second consecutive berth with win at Hoffman last week. Points could make it tough to open at home but win over Schaumburg would enhance position.

PROSPECT (6-2, 36-37 points)
Fourth straight win over Wheeling wrapped up berth with sixth win and automatic MSL East championship qualifier. Points could also make it tough to open at home.

SCHAUMBURG (5-3, 50 points)
Win over Conant in showdown of playoff hopefuls and ridiculous amount of playoff points put Saxons in postseason for second time in three years. Win at Palatine would result in much more favorable first-round matchup.

DON'T WANT TO TAKE CHANCES
WHEELING (5-3, 33-34 points)
Wildcats would love to have a few of Schaumburg's points to know they're already in. A win over Hersey takes care of that and would make school history with consecutive playoff berths for the first time.

NEED FIVE TO STAY ALIVE
CONANT (4-4, 44 points)
Points not a problem to make the field but tough finale with Barrington is for Conant team that has defied the odds all season.

ROLLING MEADOWS (4-4, 38-39 points)
Won two straight to keep hopes alive for sixth straight berth and should have enough points at 5 wins to get there. Interesting finale at Buffalo Grove - how enthused will Bison be after playoff hopes were dashed in upset loss to Elk Grove. Mustangs should also be fired up after 12-10 upset loss to Bison in Week 8 last year.

LEYDEN (4-4, 37-39 points)
Eagles have a daunting task with finale at perennial West Suburban Gold power Downers Grove South, which has won 6 in a row, to make a second straight trip.