Central won 3 games last season, not that I disagree with you. But they've been improving. Romeoville should be in the Southland though.
I didn't realize this until today and I think this didn't change until yesterday, but the ihsa shows there being divisions in the SWSC again.
Agreed. Hoping the two last place teams in the good division both find a way to one division win and sweep their four crossovers. That’s the only way all those schools can get in and it is pretty unlikely.
Edgy, explain how a "very good West" team wont make the playoffs? If in crossover you cant win 3 games then win 2-3 in conference games are you a "very good team"? Lets say it was one big conference, that "very good team" would still have to win at least 2-3 of their conference game vs a west team and if the SWP allowed to go out of conference would you schedule teams worse then the bottom of the EAST? At the end of the day only 1 west team is in trouble right now.
it is on the field, but I hear you. Joliet Central has 3000 plus and can't field a freshman team.
have watched both of their games and yes better then 0-2, have to win 1 of the next 2 though, can see JW, Pl East and Pl South splitting between the 3.
I watched the film of their first game and was at the 2nd game. They were a completely different team against OHS. I also think that game is what OHS needed. (JW beat both the sophs and freshman giving OHS their first losses at any level in the regular season in 2 years). If OE takes JW lightly, they will lose, however, I believe it's at OE on grass, which may slow down Howlund (he's a beast). JW will beat Yorkville and run the table.
After MC playing Maine South, Montini, Loyola, Marist and Rice I have no problem with them playing St. Viator one week. We fought 5 bad ass guys, we don’t have to prove our toughness to anyone.
I always thought it was an honor to play MC. We (LA) were usually on the losing end in the 90’s (7-6 in ‘93 and 14-13 ‘94), but I can remember feeling a sense of pride playing arguably the best high school football program in the state over the past 100 years. It always felt bigger than any other game. It’s something the Viator players will remember and probably talk about for the rest of their lives. Maybe I’m wrong.
They potentially can if they keep everyone healthy and eligible. Those things have been a big problem in the past.
Enrollment numbers at Stagg, Sandburg and Andrew are being gradually replaced in greater percentages by a certain demographic. Football is not in the cultural DNA of this group to the degree it exists in the students being replaced. This change began at Stagg many years ago and is moving in the SW direction throughout the D230 attendance areas. Many homes, formerly owned, have been turned into rental properties which contribute to some of this demographic changeover.
23 years ago we beat Stagg 48-0. Was that also due to this demographic without the football DNA in their culture who is there now, but wasn't previously?
Seems like semantics to me. Perhaps “very good” is debatable. But there is little doubt that the 6 teams in the west would all either win the east or at least be in contention to win the east. Anyone from the east would automatically be in the bottom few in the west.
Minooka is without a doubt the team to beat, I wouldn't say OHS is down either. JW is much improved and Howlund is going to be a kid to watch. He's big 6'3", 225, shifty and fast. Made the OHS dline (which is likely the best in the conference) work all night. I will say OHS is young, but that Jr. Class is nothing to scoff at.
Bones history is not the same at all if you visit the AA Stagg campus. Different , but still not a football school and it is more a cultural issue today compared with “our days “. Take a drive east my friend.
Said before the season that every team in the West could win the East....and while West Aurora has changed that thought I've also heard from opposing coaches that the Blackhawks could win the East if they could stop self imploding...but they haven't yet so...
Demographics changing or not Stagg hasn't been good in football outside of one season in my memory so to blame it on demographics is a bit of a stretch. What was the excuse in the 90's?
"They" used to be a key cog of a lot of Bogan and OLCH teams in the 1990s especially if there were some wrestlers in the mix. It might be a confluence of factors - interest in other sports and concern about the noggin like in north suburbs, as much as semi-rebelliousness spawned of reactions exactly 18 years ago today.
