This thread is dedicated to talk about 618(southern Illinois) teams and conferences.
I’ve bolded my pick for each game, but I could be convinced to switch a lot of these. That’s what I love about the postseason.
8A: #22 Edwardsville(6-3) @ #11 O’Fallon(8-1)
This is the headline matchup of the week and for good reason. The last time these two met, the Panthers came back from a 31-17 deficit to win 32-31. I would expect another great game here, but I do feel like the Tigers looked a little bit better last time. They’ll need to slow down O’Fallon quarterback Colt Michael to do so, however.
8A: #29 Belleville East(5-4) @ #4 South Elgin(9-0)
I think the Storm are weak for a fourth seed, based upon what I can find on them. Belleville East still seems to be a clear underdog however.
7A: #25 Bradley(5-4) @ #8 Collinsville(8-1)
Collinsville has found a lot more success in recent years, finishing 8-1 for the second year in a row. I think the Kahoks will have to wait for their first ever playoff win, considering Bradley just took Lincoln Way East to the brink.
6A: #11 Richards(6-3) @ #6 East St. Louis(7-2)
The Flyers are the 6A favorite. Are there teams that can beat them? Yes. Do I think Richards is one of them? No, especially not after a long bus ride.
5A: #12 Centralia(5-4) @ #5 Triad(7-2)
These teams have a few common opponents this year and those results mostly point towards Triad as the pick. I’ll take the Knights, but the Orphans could win this one. The key for a Centralia victory is a fast start, considering they seem to slow down in the second half.
5A: #15 Dunlap(5-4) @ #2 Highland(8-1)
Not sure what the deal was, but Highland is coming off of one of their worst outings. They still took down Effingham 34-20, so I wouldn’t hit the panic button. The Bulldogs have to love their draw, with a manageable first round and they would face a team they have running clocked already in round two.
5A: #10 Marion(6-3) @ #7 Mascoutah(6-3)
This may be the most even matchup of the week. These teams have a few common opponents, but nothing that sticks out. I’ll take the Indians, only because they have a strong home field advantage.
5A: #11 Mt. Vernon(5-4) @ #6 Kankakee(7-2)
Last week’s thread had a lot of talk about Mt. Vernon. My take: the Rams are the type of team capable of pulling off an upset thanks to their rare offensive scheme(splitting nobody outwide with the wishbone) and aggressive coaching. But I still don’t think they can take down a great Kays squad.
4A: #16 Geneseo(5-4) @ #1 Carterville(9-0)
I’ve not talked much about Carterville this year, but the Lions deserve some hype. 9-0 is impressive, no matter what people may say of your schedule. They have scored at least 28 points 8 times this year and have only allowed one opponent over 19 points(that came in a 49-28 win). The Maple Leafs are a tough draw for a 16 seed, but a very long drive will likely wear on them.
4A: #9 East Alton-Wood River(6-3) @ #8 Coal City(6-3)
The Oilers have been a fun team to follow this year. But I think their season will end against a strong Coal City team. I think we will see Coal City @ Carterville in round 2 and that figures to be a good one.
4A: #13 Effingham(5-4) @ #4 Rochester(8-1)
Rockets are certainly the favorite here. This matchup will probably be the closest we will get to an answer on Highland vs Rochester since they are in separate classes and we saw the Flaming Hearts against the Bulldogs last week.
4A: #12 Mt. Zion(6-3) @ #5 Breese(7-2)
This battle of Cougars and Braves figures to be competitive. Mt. Zion just lost to a meh Charleston team in week 8, so I'll take Breese in this one.
4A: #10 Waterloo(6-3) @ #7 Olney(7-2)
Waterloo has a much more impressive schedule and I think it will pay off here. In a normal 4A bracket, the Bulldogs might be able to make a deep run with their gritty play style. But unfortunately for the Bulldogs, one of their best teams in recent memory seems set to play SHG in round 2. At least they would host that matchup.
4A: #11 Columbia(6-3) @ #6 Murphysboro(7-2)
I don’t know a great deal about either of these squads, but the computers tell me to expect a good one. The Red Devils have had their share of postseason success in recent years and I’ll pick them based off of that.
2A: #14 Althoff(5-4) @ #3 Shelbyville(8-1)
This is the only game below 4A that I included because I have discussed the Crusaders plenty this year. I felt they could do some damage in 2A based off of their 4A/5A schedule, but I don’t love their draw. I’ll take them in an upset over the Rams and I expect the Nashville Hornets to be waiting in the next round.
I’ve bolded my pick for each game, but I could be convinced to switch a lot of these. That’s what I love about the postseason.
8A: #22 Edwardsville(6-3) @ #11 O’Fallon(8-1)
This is the headline matchup of the week and for good reason. The last time these two met, the Panthers came back from a 31-17 deficit to win 32-31. I would expect another great game here, but I do feel like the Tigers looked a little bit better last time. They’ll need to slow down O’Fallon quarterback Colt Michael to do so, however.
8A: #29 Belleville East(5-4) @ #4 South Elgin(9-0)
I think the Storm are weak for a fourth seed, based upon what I can find on them. Belleville East still seems to be a clear underdog however.
7A: #25 Bradley(5-4) @ #8 Collinsville(8-1)
Collinsville has found a lot more success in recent years, finishing 8-1 for the second year in a row. I think the Kahoks will have to wait for their first ever playoff win, considering Bradley just took Lincoln Way East to the brink.
6A: #11 Richards(6-3) @ #6 East St. Louis(7-2)
The Flyers are the 6A favorite. Are there teams that can beat them? Yes. Do I think Richards is one of them? No, especially not after a long bus ride.
5A: #12 Centralia(5-4) @ #5 Triad(7-2)
These teams have a few common opponents this year and those results mostly point towards Triad as the pick. I’ll take the Knights, but the Orphans could win this one. The key for a Centralia victory is a fast start, considering they seem to slow down in the second half.
5A: #15 Dunlap(5-4) @ #2 Highland(8-1)
Not sure what the deal was, but Highland is coming off of one of their worst outings. They still took down Effingham 34-20, so I wouldn’t hit the panic button. The Bulldogs have to love their draw, with a manageable first round and they would face a team they have running clocked already in round two.
5A: #10 Marion(6-3) @ #7 Mascoutah(6-3)
This may be the most even matchup of the week. These teams have a few common opponents, but nothing that sticks out. I’ll take the Indians, only because they have a strong home field advantage.
5A: #11 Mt. Vernon(5-4) @ #6 Kankakee(7-2)
Last week’s thread had a lot of talk about Mt. Vernon. My take: the Rams are the type of team capable of pulling off an upset thanks to their rare offensive scheme(splitting nobody outwide with the wishbone) and aggressive coaching. But I still don’t think they can take down a great Kays squad.
4A: #16 Geneseo(5-4) @ #1 Carterville(9-0)
I’ve not talked much about Carterville this year, but the Lions deserve some hype. 9-0 is impressive, no matter what people may say of your schedule. They have scored at least 28 points 8 times this year and have only allowed one opponent over 19 points(that came in a 49-28 win). The Maple Leafs are a tough draw for a 16 seed, but a very long drive will likely wear on them.
4A: #9 East Alton-Wood River(6-3) @ #8 Coal City(6-3)
The Oilers have been a fun team to follow this year. But I think their season will end against a strong Coal City team. I think we will see Coal City @ Carterville in round 2 and that figures to be a good one.
4A: #13 Effingham(5-4) @ #4 Rochester(8-1)
Rockets are certainly the favorite here. This matchup will probably be the closest we will get to an answer on Highland vs Rochester since they are in separate classes and we saw the Flaming Hearts against the Bulldogs last week.
4A: #12 Mt. Zion(6-3) @ #5 Breese(7-2)
This battle of Cougars and Braves figures to be competitive. Mt. Zion just lost to a meh Charleston team in week 8, so I'll take Breese in this one.
4A: #10 Waterloo(6-3) @ #7 Olney(7-2)
Waterloo has a much more impressive schedule and I think it will pay off here. In a normal 4A bracket, the Bulldogs might be able to make a deep run with their gritty play style. But unfortunately for the Bulldogs, one of their best teams in recent memory seems set to play SHG in round 2. At least they would host that matchup.
4A: #11 Columbia(6-3) @ #6 Murphysboro(7-2)
I don’t know a great deal about either of these squads, but the computers tell me to expect a good one. The Red Devils have had their share of postseason success in recent years and I’ll pick them based off of that.
2A: #14 Althoff(5-4) @ #3 Shelbyville(8-1)
This is the only game below 4A that I included because I have discussed the Crusaders plenty this year. I felt they could do some damage in 2A based off of their 4A/5A schedule, but I don’t love their draw. I’ll take them in an upset over the Rams and I expect the Nashville Hornets to be waiting in the next round.
