1A - Hope Academy
2A - Maroa-Forsyth
3A - Byron
4A - IC Catholic
5A - Prairie Ridge
6A - East St. Louis
7A - Mt. Carmel
8A - Marist
Hope Academy - The program has been improving each year and they were arguably the third best team in 1A last year; three points away from playing Camp Point Central.
Maroa-Forsyth - Maroa-Forsyth has been to the semifinals five times in the last seven playoffs. This year their defense takes one large step forward, Wilmington takes one large step backwards (Maroa hopes), and the weather in late November will be beautiful to help their passing attack.
Byron - The star players are one year older.
IC Catholic - Last year's quarterfinal loss to St. Laurence was a good old-fashioned upset. It will serve as motivation and won't happen again this year. They will squeak by Rochester in the final.
Prairie Ridge - Although it was in the first round, they only lost by seven points to the eventual state champion last year. The new coach doesn't allow them to take a step backwards and they get the job done this year.
East St. Louis - It has now been four straight playoffs to the championship game for the Flyers, winning the title every other year. So..... this is their year. Besides, what are the chances they will run into Cary-Grove again? And no one else in 6A has been able to stop them.
Mt. Carmel - Their 38-point dismantling of Batavia in last year's semifinal game shows there is just too much separation between Mt. Carmel and the rest of 7A to predict any other result.
Marist - When an excellent coach meets talent, opportunity exists. Mike Fitzgerald is that coach. Loyola is now two years removed from the John Holecek era and may be vulnerable. Talented though he may be, the new Lincoln-Way East quarterback didn't improve Bolingbrook last year, so L-W East may be vulnerable. I will predict Marist over Maine South in the final.
