2nd quarter.Friars score again.23-0 Friars with 5:00 til half

I’ve said all year that Neuqua has a championship defense. Last night showed that it’s the strength of the team:
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The problem is NV O vs LWE on D. We all know the talent that Beast brings on the defensive side of the ball. NV has plenty of talent on O but a staff that refuses to get away from a 5th grade playbook is the big issue.

Playing on a sloped grass field with rain possible gives the Cats a chance, however small that it.

Was looking at the old IHSA archives and thought this was interesting.

-

GBW: 556 - 311 (.618)

HC: 506 - 304 (.610)

OPRF: 673 - 407 (.603)

LT: 551 - 341 (.602)

DGN: 473 - 400 (.520)

YHS: 419 - 458 (.466)

PW: 138 - 343 (.283)

Shame on The IHSA for not scheduling 1 game this Friday night. LAME! !!!

I hear rumblings. Anyone else?

Possible landing spot for RB and an additional 1 or 3 teams to make two divisions.

Make sure to check out all of my work at Marquee Sports Network each week

New: Marquee Top 5 Chicagoland Games to Watch

Digging around CalPreps this evening and found their accuracy breakdown page. For the last 6 weeks of the regular season, the algorithm had a record of 1347 - 222. That is just over an 85.6% correct rate.

In the three rounds of the playoffs so far, the algorithm has a record of 192 - 35; a 1 point drop to 84.6% correct rate (This is all classes, plus the prep-bowl). The most interesting week was quarterfinals, when a 31 - 4 correct prediction record was posted - predicting 100% winners in all classes EXCEPT 3A and Prep Bowl. To me, this indicates the algorithm is getting better with more data points.

For the semi's, here are CalPreps predictions -

1A PLAYOFFS
Lena-Winslow (Lena, IL) at Forreston (IL), 2:00pm [projection: Lena-Winslow (Lena, IL) 35-14]
Central (Camp Point, IL) at Ridgeview/Lexington (Colfax, IL), 2:00pm [projection: Ridgeview/Lexington (Colfax, IL) 28-19]

2A PLAYOFFS
Tri-Valley (Downs, IL) at Maroa-Forsyth (Maroa, IL), 1:00pm [projection: Maroa-Forsyth (Maroa, IL) 31-22]
Johnston City (IL) at St. Teresa (Decatur, IL), 3:00pm [projection: St. Teresa (Decatur, IL) 42-20]

3A PLAYOFFS
Byron (IL) at Immaculate Conception (Elmhurst, IL), 3:00pm [projection: Immaculate Conception (Elmhurst, IL) 31-26]
Unity (Tolono, IL) at Williamsville (IL), 2:00pm [projection: Williamsville (IL) 22-20]

4A PLAYOFFS
Providence Catholic (New Lenox, IL) at St. Francis (Wheaton, IL), 2:00pm [projection: Providence Catholic (New Lenox, IL) 28-21]
Rochester (IL) at Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield, IL), 7:00pm [projection: Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield, IL) 38-28]

5A PLAYOFFS
Morris (IL) at Peoria (IL), 2:00pm [projection: Morris (IL) 34-31]
Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, IL) at Sycamore (IL), 2:00pm [projection: Sycamore (IL) 31-14]

6A PLAYOFFS
East St. Louis (IL) at Lemont (IL), 2:00pm [projection: East St. Louis (IL) 42-14]
St. Ignatius (Chicago, IL) at Prairie Ridge (Crystal Lake, IL), 2:00pm [projection: Prairie Ridge (Crystal Lake, IL) 42-40]

7A PLAYOFFS
Batavia (IL) at Lake Zurich (IL), 4:00pm [projection: Batavia (IL) 24-14]
Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL) at St. Rita (Chicago, IL), 4:00pm [projection: Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL) 28-14]

8A PLAYOFFS
Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, IL) at Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, IL), 1:00pm [projection: Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, IL) 28-27]
Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) at York (Elmhurst, IL), 1:00pm [projection: Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) 28-22]

Rematch of 2017 state title game and last year round 1. Thoughts on this game?

Matt Leng and I talk IHSA 4A thru 1A state semifinal matchups...along with 8 Man Football state title game this Frdiay. Also we get into playoff attendance, old school video games and more in this edition

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Just a taste of some of my work available on the Marquee Sports Network this post-season. I will also be a part of the broadcast on Saturday from St Rita.

Marquee Focus: Class 7A Semifinal Mount Carmel at St. Rita​

Another step up in class for the Mustangs on the road vs a team that beat 2 other 7A state quarterfinalists in Batavia and Lake Zurich and I am concerned.

My concerns are:

1) Can the Mustangs stop patting themselves on their back long enough to prepare correctly for the Stars who are physical enough to take them on? You don’t beat Batavia and Lake Zurich if you are not a physical team.

2) 30 266 . That’s what Chris Childers ran for St. Rita at St. Charles North in the second round in 2017. So everyone expects DJ Stewart to run all over the Stars. I don’t think that can happen without matching the intensity and tenacity they showed vs Prospect Friday night. Recency Bias makes one think they can replicate the execution they displayed this past weekend.

3) I don’t know if we’ll ever see the split backfield with Ethan Middleton and DJ Stewart pulling the Ds attention two ways and with the way QB Jett Hilding can tuck it 3 ways but so far it looks like their content with how things are and I don’t know if that’s good enough as the competition stiffens.

4) Speaking of QB Jett, great game vs Prospect. I’ll gladly eat the crow soup but if a post or fly pattern gets as open as Ethan did vs Prospects fastest defender, the play has to be made. The weather gets worse and the competition gets better and windows get tighter. Can’t leave points on the field. Beautiful job all game Friday but darn it, incredible job in the red zone. Now they know, teams will adjust.

5) BR at MC Are teenagers talking about the winner of that one already? Because the Stars and Drew Surge have something to say about that and will do everything humanly possible, trick plays, fake punts, onsides. It don’t matter. St, Rita has ended the Stars season twice? In the playoffs and they’ll be darned if you think your going to waltz into their house thinking about your neighborhood rivals

Good Luck Mustangs, Good health to the Stars, strap it up, knock the crap out of each other and may the best team win

Most exiting game of the weekend in my opinion.

Just a few preliminary thoughts on the Southern 4A Bracket:

I. Geneseo (as a 16th seed) has the best chance to beat a #1 seed (Carterville) out of all the 12 Brackets in Classes 1A-6A. They have played the tougher schedule by far and although 5-4 and scoring a mediocre 236 points, they have only given up a respectable 189.

2. Following on from 1. above, I don't think Carterville is a very strong #1 seed, especially when you compare them with the #1 seed the Northern Bracket has to deal with, i.e., Richmond Burton. I think this bodes very well for Rochester moving forward.

3. Very difficult to see anything preventing another SHG-Rochester semifinal. As stated several times before, the number of away games will be important for each in determining home field for the semi.

Several of our posters were unable to find the game on their cable grid earlier.

The game is officially listed on Comcast (or whatever it calls itself to make gouging you seem more palatable)

Further, The NFHS site confirms that the game will be carried by them - although I've learned not to put all my trust in that outfit.

A weekly thread to talk about 618(southern Illinois) teams.

In a not unexpected turn of events, East St. Louis is the only remaining 618 team in the bigger classes. 2A Johnston City is the only other 618 team left and I am not too privy to them, but I'll share some thoughts on their upcoming matchup as well.


#6 East St. Louis(10-2) @ #1 Lemont(12-0) Saturday 2:00

East St. Louis is playing their best ball in the postseason, having outscored opponents 156-0 through three games. Their most recent victory came by a margin of 45-0 over Crete Monee's offensive firepower.
What is most interesting about last week's win is their kicking game. Junior Rico Bond not only went 6-6 on PATs, he also converted a 33 yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Lemont now has the tall task of taking down Achilles with newly acquired ankle armor. Last year, Lemont fell 42-21 in this matchup after scoring twice in the fourth quarter. This should be the Flyers closest postseason battle yet, but they still roll into this one as a pretty big favorite.

#2 Johnston City(12-0) @ #1 St. Teresa(12-0) Saturday 3:00
If there is a team in the state that respects 618 football, it is St. Teresa. The Bulldogs have seen their last two postseasons end in the semifinals against Nashville. They got a break from the 618 in 2018, but still fell to Maroa in the semis.
I think this is the year that they break through their semi-finals curse and 618 struggles. St. Teresa has not played anyone closer than 18 points, going back to an 18-0 week 1 victory over 4A qualifier Effingham. Johnston City just doesn't seem to pop off on paper like their upcoming opponent, so I will pick against them.

Murphysboro, Carterville and Mascoutah all met their demise last week after nice runs through the postseason. The CS8 posters already have done a great job posting about the first two, but I'll share some thoughts on Mascoutah's game.

Peoria 36-21 Mascoutah
The halftime score was 21-14, but the Indians dominated the first 24 minutes of play. They took an early 7-0 lead after recovering an onside kick and using a heavy dose of SIU-bound Allen Middelton from the wildcat.
Peoria attempted their only punt of the game on their opening drive, but it only traveled 10 yards to set Mascoutah up at the Peoria 40 yard line. This drive fizzled out with a turnover on downs at the Lion's 14 yard line.
The Lions responded with a lengthy drive that was topped off by a 68 yard touchdown pass off a simple go route. Peoria failed the two point try to keep the 7-6 Mascoutah lead intact.
Peoria broke from their onside history and kicked the enduing kickoff deep. This ball was muffed however and Peoria would score again, this time off a Malachi Washington touchdown. A successful two point conversion marked their 14th point in just 14 seconds of play.
The story of the second quarter was Zane Timon finding Quincy Hall downfield. This senior duo connected for two touchdown passes to regain the lead at 21-14 for halftime.

As you may have guessed by the final score, this was the story of two halves. The X-factor of the second half was Peoria's decision to run the ball and not let Mascoutah run the ball by putting 8/9 in the box.
The first drive of the second half saw Peoria go for a 4th and 7, 4th and 9, and a 4th and goal from the 2. They converted all three gambles, but still trailed 21-20 after another failed two-point conversion.
Mascoutah tried for a 4th down conversion on their next drive, faced with 7 yards to go from the Peoria 22. This attempt failed and was the turning point of the game in the mind.
The rest of the game was the Malachi Washington show, as he delivered two more touchdowns and plenty of yardage to complete the comeback. Also worth pointing out that he converted a 4th and 2 from inside their own 20 yard line along the way. He is one of the best running backs I've seen and was hunting for contact on every play.

Surprisingly, I don't think the weather had too much of an effect in this one. Mascoutah did a great job clearing off 6 inches of snow fall, so the only element left to deal with was freezing temperatures.
A factor that did seem to matter is how pass interference was called. Some weak flags were thrown for it in the first half, but the officials very much let them play in the second half. Peoria seemed to take advantage of that fact more since their corners were in press all the day with a single safety that played way over the top. Kudos for them for taking advantage, but I hope no semi-final games are called like that.

Crazy morning here. I apologize in advance for this. I'll try to get back later with details. This week's pick is Palatine over York. Final score 24-21. I'll be back later with my reasons, sorry. What are your thoughts and who is your upset?

GO MC!!

Had this a few days ago on the EDGY Nation forum

Bolingbrook AD just tweeted out the position opening will embed it here once our forums allow it.

November 14, 2022



CHICAGO – Marquee Sports Network will air the IHSA football Class 7A semifinal matchup between Chicago Catholic League (CCL) rivals Mount Carmel High School and St. Rita High School this Saturday, November 19, at 4 PM CT.



Top-seeded Mount Carmel (12-0, CCL Blue Division champions) advanced to the semifinal round with a 48-12 victory this past weekend against Brother Rice, while St. Rita (10-2, CCL Green Division champions) went on the road to defeat St. Charles North, 28-7.



On-air talent for the game will feature Alex Cohen, voice of the Iowa Cubs on Marquee Sports Network, as play-by-play announcer, longtime IHSA broadcaster and IHSA Coaches Association Hall of Famer Jack McInerney as game analyst and Chicago-area broadcaster Kacy Standohar as field reporter.



Marquee Sports Network preps contributor and EdgyTim.com (Rivals network) publisher Timothy O’Halloran will provide halftime analysis during the broadcast and exclusive preview content leading up to the game on MarqueeSportsNetwork.com.



“We’re thrilled to be able to broadcast this weekend’s semifinal matchup between Mount Carmel and St. Rita, two of the premier high school football programs in both the city and state,” said Marquee Sports Network Programming Director, Alli Bertucci. “We look forward to this first IHSA broadcast on Marquee and expanding our coverage of local high school sports.”



The semifinals matchup will be a rematch of this year’s season opener, won by Mount Carmel, 35-3. The August meeting between Mount Carmel and St. Rita was the 100th all-time between the two teams.



The winner of Saturday’s semifinal will advance to the state championship on November 26 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. St. Rita is seeking a second-straight Class 7A championship game appearance, while Mount Carmel last appeared in the championship in 2019.



WEB LINK: https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.co...air-ihsa-football-class-7a-semifinal-matchup/



ABOUT MARQUEE SPORTS NETWORK: In partnership with the Chicago Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group (Nasdaq: SBGI), Marquee Sports Network brings together one of the most iconic sports franchises in the country with one of the largest television broadcasting companies to deliver unparalleled Cubs coverage, as well as additional local live sporting events, including Chicago Sky games, and original programming. Marquee Sports Network is available within the Cubs home television territory in portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin, and is carried on more than 50 cable providers, as well as streaming platforms DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) and fuboTV. For more information, visit marqueesportsnetwork.com/about.

This is strictly the IHSFCA All State team.....which is selected by the IHSFCA and head coaches from all schools are encouraged to nominate players for this honor. Any issues with this team please take it up with the coaches and/or the IHSFCA

I seen prairie ridge qb has 3600 rushing yards on the season if they meet estl how we he will he fare?? Thoughts

Thursday @ 6 pm.Catholic Championship.Oak Park Fenwick(5-5) @ Burbank St.Laurence(4-6) City Championship.Chicago Simeon(10-1) vs Chicago Taft(6-6) Time TBA I’m guessing Gately or Lane this Friday

To help my family out, I listed the upcoming games in chronological order. (In the order which the events will occur). I have found that I have to explain myself more thoroughly. This is not coming from Mrs. Soup. Please do not read the St. Rita at St. Charles North thread. It will make you forget what day it is or where you left your car-entrance-allower, formerly known as keys.

8 teams left in the state playoffs. 2 games feature 4 of them. So that gives us 6 state playoff games to predict and 2 games for the forever honorable Prep Bowl playoffs. 8 points up in the air?

Who is going to finish 8 and 0 this week? Good Luck Fam!


Thursday 6pm De LaSalle at Fenwick

[2022] Fenwick (Oak Park, IL) 35, [2022] De La Salle (Chicago, IL) 12

Friday 530pm St. Patrick at St. Laurence

[2022] St. Patrick (Chicago, IL) 28, [2022] St. Laurence (Burbank, IL) 22

Saturday 1pm

Lyons at Loyola Academy

[2022] Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) 38, [2022] Lyons (LaGrange, IL) 21

St. Rita at St. Charles North

[2022] St. Rita (Chicago, IL) 26, [2022] St. Charles North (St. Charles, IL) 17

Morgan Park at Nazareth Academy

[2022] Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, IL) 31, [2022] Morgan Park (Chicago, IL) 19

Saturday 2pm Richmond-Burton at Providence Catholic

[2022] Providence Catholic (New Lenox, IL) 28, [2022] Richmond-Burton (Richmond, IL) 22

Saturday 3pm Niles Notre Dame at St. Ignatius

[2022] St. Ignatius (Chicago, IL) 22, [2022] Notre Dame (Niles, IL) 20

Saturday 6pm Brother Rice at Mount Carmel

[2022] Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL) 38, [2022] Brother Rice (Chicago, IL) 14

Bolingbrook long time head coach John Ivlow has turned in his letter of resignation to Bolingbrook today. Ivlow is still planning to stay in football but is stepping away from the Bolingbrook program.