Wow, big chance already.

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I remember the day like it was yesterday. I remember the game that week. Let’s never forget.

Can you believe we are already into Week 3 of the CPL season? How time flies! Week 3 is significant in the CPL since the kids that came out when school started a couple of weeks ago now have enough practices in to be eligible! Forfeits go down and the excitement goes up! This week we go from Hot Thursday CPL Action to Saturday morning! All of these games start at or before noon! On to the picks!

Kelly vs Fenger
They say Saturdays are for the boys, but Saturday Mornings are for the Fenger Fingers!!
Fenger gives Kelly the Finger this week.

Hyde Park vs Amundsen
The first fall weather type Saturday of the year in Winnemac Park! Get there early for the Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Stay for the Lulu Lemon wearing stroller pushers and dog walkers!
Hyde Park!

Lincoln Park vs Phillips
Is this game at Mandrake Park? I hope so. It is the craziest place to watch a football game in the entire city. Look it up on Google Maps. It's like a football field was placed in a giant traffic circle between Cottage Grove, Pershing, and Oakwood Blvd. No stands, just a berm around the field covered in trees. I saw a night game there once and there were more fans on the sidelines with the teams than at a pee wee football game. Random dudes sitting on the bench behind the teams eating takeout. Get there early and hit up best chicken and waffle joint in the area at Oakwood and MLK Drive. The game? This isn't the Phillips of a few years back, but that doesn't matter vs LP.
Phillips!

Morgan Park vs Westinghouse
Remember when NFL Thursday night football was all Color Rush matchups? A few years back, Taft went all blue vs Westinghouse wearing the all yellow. I can't remember who won, but I do remember how crazy that looked. I do remember that it was at Lane, and I hammered a White Castle Crave Case in the parking lot before going into the game. Props to the last working toilet at Lane Stadium.....
Give me the House!

Can anybody explain to me what the thought process was behind the IHSA rules? I just can't make it make sense. Why would they not make it spot of the foul and 15 plus automatic 1st?! Teams, quite literally use Pass Interference as a defensive technique... I hear it being coached... I just dont understand the purpose of making the rules that way. Can anybody make it make sense?

I know many high schools throughout Chicago area go through off season renovations or complete rebuilds of football stadiums. Just looking to hear any that are complete or on going.

One field I know is unique is Clark High School in Chicago built a new field with stands and a press box which are both in the west end zone of the field. The field does have lights as well. It is located at Flournoy & Lavergne Ave. I also know Rockne Stadium ( Roosevelt & Central) just went through a complete renovation and added what looks like either locker rooms or bathrooms on the north end zone. New field turf and track were replaced.

United Township (1-1) @ Sterling (0-2): Last season Sterling won 23-19. Through two weeks, both these teams have shown to have very solid defenses. UT is the only though, who has shown to be able to get things going on offense. UT has good size on the line and a homerun hitting running back. Sterling has had a tough time getting anything going on offense and special teams. They need to figure something out this week if they hope to have a chance against UT.

Prediction: UT by a touchdown


Morrison (0-2) @ Galesburg (1-1): I used to think this could be a really interesting game until Morrison cursed themselves by changing from the winged helmets and Galesburg found a kid who could rush for over 300 yards in a game. Morrison will come motivated, but it wont matter. The curse continues.

Predicition: Galesburg by 3 touchdowns


Moline (1-1) @ Geneseo (2-0): Last season Geneseo won 24-21. Both these teams come into this game after playing tough away games. Moline played with Benet, but suffered a second half meltdown. Geneseo played a tough Wisconsin team but still got the win. This game should go fast as both teams like to grind it out on the ground. It wouldn’t surprise me if Moline out athletes Geneseo in the second half, but right now I think the home team has the edge.

Prediction: Geneseo by 1


Rock Island (0-2) @ Quincy (2-0): Last season Quincy won 41-7. Quincy has seemed somewhat ho hum in their game play so far. Their QB is very good and the have athletes, but they have played very sloppy ball. Rock Island has shown improvement from week 1 to week 2. Despite being a two loss team, the Rocks have athletes on both side of the ball and I think are poised for a huge game. They just aren’t quite there yet.

Prediction: Quincy pulls away late to win by 17.

Please!

It appears Maine East may have its best team in many decades. The Blue Demons might win as many as three games, which would be a significant accomplishment considering they are accustomed to winning 0 or 1 game in recent years.

And I'm not being sarcastic. I graduated from Maine East and would very much like the guys to experience some success.

Some games that didn't go the way I thought:

Mahomet Seymour losing to Highland 42-41
Hardin-Calhoun 14-13 (I knew it would be close because of last seasons game but...)
Galena 34-9 over Morrison (Did Morrison's decision to change their helmets cause a curse?)
Pittsfield 14-7 over Athens (I knew it would be close because Pittsfield's D was good against 5A Jax)

Can anyone share articles on these games or have knowledge of these games?

Schools that are possibly fading away:

Arcola 0-2

Teams that are in a decline:

Reed-Custer 0-2

Teams that are surprisingly 0-2:

Athens
Mt Carmel

​

Thanks @Jenny27 for getting us started.

Tonight Providence (Freshman) beat Lincoln-Way Central 41-20.

Keep em coming throughout the weekend!

Again so sorry for all of the earlier issues this week it's been quite a last few days and I truly appreciate everyone giving me the heads up.

Amended 2024 EDGYTIM Week 2 Class 8A thru Class 4A Top 10 polls

Class 8A

1. Lincoln Way East 1-0 (2) Bye
2. Loyola 0-1 (1) v@ Glenbard West
3. Warren Township 1-0 (4) @ Maine South
4. Maine South 0-1 (3) vs Warren Township
5. York 1-0 (5) @ Plainfield North
6. Naperville Central 1-0 (6) vs Naperville North @ NCC
7. Barrington 1-0 (8) @ Hersey
8. Glenbard West 0-1 (7) vs Loyola Academy
9. Homewood Flossmoor 1-0 (9) @ Marian Catholic
10. Oswego 1-0 (NR) vs Joliet Catholic

Out: Palatine

Class 7A

1. Chicago Mount Carmel 0-1 (1) @ St Rita
2. Edwardsville 1-0 (2) vs Lawrence Central Indiana
3. Batavia 1-0 (3) vs South Elgin
4. Downers Grove North 1-0 (4) vs Downers Grove South
5. Wheaton South 1-0 (5) vs Glenbard South
6. Brother Rice 1-0 (6) vs Marist
7. St Rita 1-0 (7) vs Mount Carmel
8. Wheaton North 1-0 (NR) @ Lockport
9. Normal Community 1-0 (9) vs Normal West
10. Quincy 1-0 (10) vs Alto

Out: Hersey

Class 6A

1. Cary Grove 1-0 (1) vs Crystal Lake Central
1. East St Louis 1-0 (2) vs Newton Georgia
3. Geneva 0-0 (5) vs Lemont
4. Kankakee 0-1 (3) vs Washington Ill.
5, Providence Catholic 0-1 (4) vs Lincoln Way Central
6. Libertyville 1-0 (10) @ Oak Lawn Richards
7. Oak Lawn Richards 1-0 (NR) vs Libertyville
8. Simeon 0-1 (7) @ Hope Academy
9. Glenwood 0-1 (8) @ North County Missouri
10. Crete-Monee 0-1 (9) @ Glenbrook South

Out: Lake Zurich

Class 5A

1, Nazareth Academy 1-0 (1) vs Kenwood
2, Wheaton St Francis 1-0 (2) @ East St. Louis Lift for Life (Mo.)
3. Joliet Catholic 1-0 (3) @ Oswego
4. Prairie Ridge 1-0 (4) @ Crystal Lake South
5. Carmel Catholic 1-0 (5) vs Lake Forest
6. Sycamore 1-0 (7) vs Oswego East
7. Metamora 1-0 (NR) vs LaSalle Peru
8. Morgan Park 0-1 (6) @ OPRF
9. Peoria 1-0 (NR) @ Peoria Notre Dame
10. Benet Academy 1-0 (NR) vs Moline

Out: Sacred Heart Griffin/Sterling/Hillcrest

Class 4A

1. Rochester 1-0 (1) vs Cardinal Ritter (Mo.)
2, IC College Prep 1-0 (2) vs Chicago Military Bronzeville
3. Mt. Zion 1-0 (3) @ Triad
4. Morris 1-0 (4) @ Joliet West
5. St. Viator 1-0 (5) vs Hyde Park
6. Richmond Burton 1-0 (9) @ Quincy Notre Dame
7. St Laurence 1-0 (8) @ Evanston
8. DePaul Prep 1-0 (10) @ Marian Central Catholiv
9. Wheaton Academy 0-1 (7) vs St Charles East
10. Murphysboro 0-1 (6) vs Anna Jonesboro

Out: None

Week 2 has three West Division non-conference games, three East Division non-conference games, and three West vs East crossover contests. Southeast vs Lincoln is a Saturday game at Memorial Stadium and there is some question when/where MacArthur vs Springfield will be played due to the status of the General's field renovations. As of now, it's still scheduled for Friday.

Unlike last week, I am picking against Massey several times.

West Division
Richmond Burton (1-0) at Quincy Notre Dame (0-1)
Richmond Burton (RB) beat Woodstock Marian 21-7 in Week 1, while QND trailed only 20-12 at half to 7A power Quincy before losing 40-12. RB won at home last year 25-6. Something tells me to choose QND in an upset. QND 21 Richmond Burton 20. Massey Prediction: RB 36 QND 6.

Mascoutah (0-1) at SHG (0-1)
Mascoutah lost to 7A/8A Belleville West 34-21, while SHG fell to an excellent Christian Brothers (Missouri) 45-0. Mascoutah made the 5A semi-finals in 2019 but was only 2-7 last year. SHG should have a good bounce back week. SHG 38 Mascoutah 13. Massey Prediction: SHG 46 Mascoutah 14.

East Peoria (1-0) at Lanphier (0-1)
East Peoria rallied to beat Southeast 28-26, while Lanphier lost at Lincon 32-0. There were some small victories for the Lions in Week 1 as they avoided a running clock and held the Railers to fewer points than they surrendered in any game in '23. East Peoria 39 Lanphier 6. Massey Prediction: East Peoria 41 Lanphier 20.

East Division
Chatham (0-1) at Bon Terre North County (MO) (1-0)
The Titans battled 8A Edwardsville to the final minute and lost only 14-7 in a game pushed to Saturday by the weather. The high-powered Titans offense could come up with only one score, but the Defense performed well against the Tigers. North County beat a Missouri team that was 6-6 in '23 24-17. They lost to Mt Vernon (IL) 28-14 in '23. The Titans should rebound and score a lot more this week. Chatham 35 North County 14. Massey Prediction: Chatham 40 North County 14.

U High (1-0) at Bloomington (1-0)
U High won 64-28 over Peoria Manual, while Bloomington beat Danville 41-14. Bloomington made the 6A playoffs in '23 but lost badly to both MacArthur in Week 9 and Chatham in Week 10. U High went from 3 wins '22 to 7 last year. This is a statement game for the Pioneers if they hope to move into the top tier of the conference. I think they can do it. U High 35 Bloomington 31. Massey Prediction: Bloomington 36 U High 28.

Cardinal Ritter (MO) (1-0) at Rochester (1-0)
Cardinal Ritter has an Illinois commit at QB, a Nebraska commit at RB, and several dangerous WR's. They have a very balanced offense and crushed a Missouri team that was 10-2 in '23 44-7 last week. Other than SHG, no one has beaten Rochester at home since 2008 (Bloomington Central Catholic). That will certainly be put to the test Friday. Even playing on the road and on grass, Ritter probably has too much speed and talent for the Rockets to prevail. Rochester went on the road Week 1 and defeated 6A Simeon 35-14 in a much better overall effort than the Week 0 scrimmage against Belleville West. I think the Rockets keep it close but struggle to get stops of Ritter's potent offense. Cardinal Ritter 43 Rochester 31. Massey Prediction: Cardinal Ritter 41 Rochester 27.

West vs East
Eisenhower (0-1) at Jacksonville (1-0)
Eisenhower lost at home to Streator 20-12, while the Crimsons struggled to put away 2A Pittsfield on the road 26-14. The Crimson should go to 2-0 but need to perform at a higher level. Jacksonville 34 Eisenhower 6. Massey Prediction: Jacksonville 42 Eisenhower 7.

Springfield (1-0) at MacArthur (1-0)
Both teams won impressively in Week 1. The Senators beat Champaign Central 44-12 at home, while Mac won on the road 47-6 over Mattoon. While this is only Week 2, the winner of this game will have a much easier path to make the playoffs than the loser. The last time these two played at Decatur the game went down to the final play and Mac came out with a 34-28 win in '22. That loss ended up costing the Senators a 5th win and a playoff opportunity. I think QB Brody Scheffler's experience is the difference in a very close game. Springfield 31 MacArthur 27. Massey Prediction: MacArthur 41 Springfield 20.

Lincoln (1-0) at Southeast (0-1) (Game Saturday 1 pm at Memorial Stadium)
Lincoln beat Lanphier 32-0, while Southeast almost got Coach Borders a win in his 1st game losing only 28-26 to East Peoria. The Spartans led 12-0 in the first half before East Peoria rallied. Southeast apparently had penalty issues. Lincoln jumped on Lanphier early and led 26-0 by half. This is potentially a winnable game for Southeast but it's more likely that Lincoln goes to 2-0. Lincoln 30 Southeast 18. Massey Prediction: Lincoln 38 Southeast 19.

Two weeks in and still so much more to absorb.

1 - That Oswego deserves a seat at the 8A table.
2 - That Loyola is just fine.
3 - That all gas and no brakes is better than fine.
4 - That Maine South is still good. Warren is too.
5 - That Harvard and Maine East are 2-0 and that’s something we haven’t seen in many moons
6 - That one day, a team in the MsL East will win a game. Check back next week.
7 - That Lena Winslow is still Lena Winslow in the NUIC
8 - That LZ is not your Bartlett freshmen’s LZ
9 - That Morrisons welcome to the NUIC moment has extended two weeks.
10 - That maybe Lake Forest is pretty good. Or Carmel isn’t. Stay tuned for week 3.

That’s all folks. Happy NFL day.

All of my Week 3 FREE Polls in one easy to access spot

Week 3 EDGYTIM Chicagoland Top 30 poll

Week 3 EDGYTIM State Wide Class 8A Top 10 poll

Week 3 EDGYTIM State Wide Class 7A Top 10 poll

Week 3 EDGYTIM State Wide Class 6A Top 10 poll

Week 3 EDGYTIM State Wide Class 5A Top 10 poll

Week 3 EDGYTIM State Wide Class 4A Top 10 poll

Nazareth Academy at Mount Carmel on Friday

Saturday? Very light schedule plus I have a family requirement Sat night so......TBA

Every now and then, I like to look back on the good old days of the SICA East Conference and see how the teams are doing now. I saw on the IHSA website that Thornridge is hosting all their home games at a park in Blue Island this season. Does anyone know why?

Accidentally posted this 1st on paid board, apologies for duplicate.
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I only learned of the Massey ratings from this board & then added them to the dashboard I created with team schedules & stats from 2023. Know we need to take those rankings (in particular pre-season & early season) with grain of salt. Nevertheless, thought I would see how they held up. So, I took Massey pre-season rankings and compared to week 1 results. I assumed the higher ranked team would be favored, so ignoring home field etc. Here goes:

Overall: Out of the 228 in state games that I could match a pre-season ranking for both teams, Massey would predict 172/228 correctly- 75%

Top 10 upsets by ranking difference:

OK - theory. They are using the NFHS camera and software, unmanned. Good audio from the PA.

Video was good for the first game and a half. Now, it is stuck on halftime of the Cahokia game - gets to the same thing, freezes. My GUESS is the battery wore out and those are the last frames uploaded.

Unless someone gets up there to address it, we are SOL again!!!

Any thoughts on this matchup??