Conant coach Dave Pendergast laughs a bit at what he knows is truly wishful thinking. "It would be great if the Redhawks take us lightly," Pendergast said. "But I don't think they will."

The Redhawks would be Naperville Central, which is paying a visit to Hoffman Estates for Saturday's 7 p.m. Class 8A quarterfinal. Naperville Central (11-0) hasn't made a habit of overlooking anyone en route to three consecutive undefeated regular seasons, a state title in 1999 and a No. 21 ranking in the nation by USA Today. Especially after Conant won at Naperville Central's DuPage Valley Conference rival Wheaton Warrenville South last week.

"They're a tough team, we definitely know that," said Naperville Central wide receiver Dan Passarelli. "Wheaton Warrenville South is a great team. Beating them is a big deal, so we know Conant must be good."

The respect is mutual from Cougars (9-2), but not to a degree that would has them viewing Naperville Central as too big of an obstacle to overcome.

"Coach has been telling us that we don't have to put in a superhuman effort to win and that everybody's beatable," said Conant senior wide receiver-defensive back Joe Rizzo. "Naperville Central is a great team," Pendergast said. "But if we play just up to our capabilities it should be a great game."

The Mid-Suburban West champions have done that since the postseason began to extend its winning streak to seven games. "We feel if the offense keeps moving the ball the way they have that will be good," said Conant nose tackle Joe Friedman. "If our defense keeps playing the way they have been and doesn't give up touchdowns and in all phases, special teams, we play well, we can win.

"We're all excited to play the number one team in the state. It's a great chance to see how we can play with the big boys." Friedman, Rizzo (8 interceptions), defensive end Jason Domnanovich, linebackers Dave Francioni and Frank LaPlaca and cornerback Sam Yi will have their big-play abilities put to the ultimate test.

Quarterback Phil Horvath (1,833 yards, 21 touchdowns, 5 interceptions) was just 4-for-12 for 87 yards last week. Tyke Spencer (40 catches, 749 yards, 8 TDs) and Passarelli (33-674-8) are deep threats. Jason Paquette (990 yards, 15 TDs) rushed for 215 yards and 3 TDs last week in his fifth game as the starting tailback. He moved from fullback when Kyle Griffith went down with a knee injury.

On the other side the Redhawks have 3 shutouts and are led by DVC defensive player of the year Mike Lucas and Nick Ehrlich at inside linebacker and Brad Matthews and Josh Rubin in the secondary.

"Their defense has probably become a little more aggressive," Pendergast said of the difference between the Naperville Central teams Conant faced in the past. "They blitz more than half the time and it will really be a challenge for our kids to pick up the blitzes."

The Cougars did pick up fullback Jon Boulahanis, who missed last week with a knee injury, to go with sophomore tailback Leon Wiggins (605 yards).

Quarterback Jason Ortiz (779 yards, 7 TDs) is coming off his two best games, which is reminiscent of when Conant knocked off Naperville Central in the 6A first round in 1989 and went all the way to the semifinals.

"Jason reminds me of Rick Michael," Pendergast said. "He had kind of a very average regular season and caught fire in the playoffs." Duplicating what that team did would add to an already impressive turnaround from a 3-6 finish a year ago.

"There's more team unity," Friedman said. "We go to breakfast after Saturday morning practices and there aren't senior-junior groups. We're all together and everybody talks to everybody and we're friends."

The Cougars would love to have that unified feeling last a while longer. "It's nice to see everything come to fruition," said Rizzo, who has caught 22 passes for 433 yards and 5 TDs. "We've worked for four years and this is what you play for.

"All year we've had a feeling, I don't want to say we're underdogs, but we've got something to prove."  They've got a chance to really make a point Saturday night.