Do over

[4Afan]

Which of your teams do you wish had a do over? A team you thought was championship caliber, but fell short for one reason or another.

For me, it would be the 1992 Morris team. They handled Rich Central 44-0 in round 1, but were shocked in the 2nd round of the playoffs by Chicago Heights (Marian) 29-22. Morris led 22-0 at half and then Terrence Marable ran wild in the 2nd half and led Marian to the win. Marian went on to lose in the next round to Bishop Mac. Oswego would win 4A in 1992, a team Morris handled easily in the regular season. Had Morris advanced I think they beat Bishop Mac and likely beat Oswego in the semi finals before facing Geneso in the finals.

I chose this team because they were as high powered a Morris offense that they have ever had. They averaged 51.5 points per game which still ranks in the top 15 all time for points per game in a season. They were also led by QB Todd Schultz who would go on to start for Michigan St. It's still crazy to me that they were held scoreless in the second half of the Marian game.

So who's your team that woulda, coulda, shoulda?

 

[greatgig13]

CG had the makings to get back to the 2024 finals and were edged out by Geneva in the semis. I fully believe missing the injured big fullback Abrams was a difference maker. Not saying they could have handled a stellar ESL team but they could have been there.

 

[rocketnation]

Rochester, 2022.

QB/WR Hank Beatty had moved on to the U of I after a great career from '18-'21.

Blown out in Week 1 62-27 by SHG, the Rockets won 11 in a row before losing again to SHG 56-42 in the 4A semifinals. Rochester led 28-0 in the 1st half of the semi's and was still ahead 42-28 early in the 4th before SHG ran off the final 28 points. A very, very painful defeat for all in the program, but particularly for the Senior class which only got to be part of one state final (2019, when they were freshman). Not one of Rochester's bigger Senior classes, only 19 or 20 if I remember correctly. They did, however, possess plenty of heart.

Led by an unlikely QB in the bruising 250-pound Keaton Reiss, this was a different style Rocket offense. More power running than typical with Reiss, who ended up with 19 rushing TDs for the season, and 220-pound FB-TB Ian Lichtenberger, who ran for 10 TDs. My favorite game of the year was Week 5 against Chatham. Rain throughout the day had already made the home field a mess and it got much worse around halftime. Rochester pretty much abandoned the pass in the 2nd half. Reiss and Lichtenberger each had around 100 yards rushing, almost all of it straight ahead. The Rockets came out on top 27-14.

 

[tjjrr]

I have 3 that come to mind. 1994 SHG vs Belvidere, semi-finals. SHG had in my opinion one of their best teams ever, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They were up early on Belvidere and were moving the ball on offense at will. Their main weapon and probably one of the best wide receivers they ever had, Mike Pilger was getting open and was nearly unstoppable all season, this game was no exception. Late first quarter he was injured while making a tackle, (he also played defense). He did not return to the game and later we found out that he had a serious kidney injury that needed surgery I believe. With him out of the game the Cyclones went on to lose although it was a close loss by I believe a touchdown or so. Belvidere went on to the championship game and beat Morris I believe 35-0. Had that injury not occurred I believe the Cyclones bring home the big trophy. 1995 Championship game, SHG vs Providence. SHG was a huge underdog in this game coming in, and led 17-7 through 3 quarters. 4th quarter and only 3 or 4 minutes left, SHG up 17-15 with the ball and they run it, the RB gets hit by I think his name was Steinbach, who later went on to play in the NFL, and the ball comes out, Provi recovers and goes down and scores with a few seconds left and wins 22-17. That SHG team was led by Matt Mitrione who went on to play at Purdue and then with the New York Giants. Probably the best defensive team SHG ever put on the field. 1994 and 1995 could have easily been back to back titles for the Cyclones. And lastly, 2020. The "spring" season in which only 6 games were played. The Cyclones had everything. They had size, speed and a great quarterback in Isaiha Thompson. That team was solid in all phases of the game. Obviously we'll never know what would have happened but I would have laid a few paychecks down on the Cycs bringing home some serious hardware had that season been played out.

 

[mullin17]

Which of your teams do you wish had a do over? A team you thought was championship caliber, but fell short for one reason or another.

For me, it would be the 1992 Morris team. They handled Rich Central 44-0 in round 1, but were shocked in the 2nd round of the playoffs by Chicago Heights (Marian) 29-22. Morris led 22-0 at half and then Terrence Marable ran wild in the 2nd half and led Marian to the win. Marian went on to lose in the next round to Bishop Mac. Oswego would win 4A in 1992, a team Morris handled easily in the regular season. Had Morris advanced I think they beat Bishop Mac and likely beat Oswego in the semi finals before facing Geneso in the finals.

I chose this team because they were as high powered a Morris offense that they have ever had. They averaged 51.5 points per game which still ranks in the top 15 all time for points per game in a season. They were also led by QB Todd Schultz who would go on to start for Michigan St. It's still crazy to me that they were held scoreless in the second half of the Marian game.

So who's your team that woulda, coulda, shoulda?

Loved me some Terrence Marable, propeled them the next year to win.

 

[4Afan]

I have 3 that come to mind. 1994 SHG vs Belvidere, semi-finals. SHG had in my opinion one of their best teams ever, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They were up early on Belvidere and were moving the ball on offense at will. Their main weapon and probably one of the best wide receivers they ever had, Mike Pilger was getting open and was nearly unstoppable all season, this game was no exception. Late first quarter he was injured while making a tackle, (he also played defense). He did not return to the game and later we found out that he had a serious kidney injury that needed surgery I believe. With him out of the game the Cyclones went on to lose although it was a close loss by I believe a touchdown or so. Belvidere went on to the championship game and beat Morris I believe 35-0. Had that injury not occurred I believe the Cyclones bring home the big trophy. 1995 Championship game, SHG vs Providence. SHG was a huge underdog in this game coming in, and led 17-7 through 3 quarters. 4th quarter and only 3 or 4 minutes left, SHG up 17-15 with the ball and they run it, the RB gets hit by I think his name was Steinbach, who later went on to play in the NFL, and the ball comes out, Provi recovers and goes down and scores with a few seconds left and wins 22-17. That SHG team was led by Matt Mitrione who went on to play at Purdue and then with the New York Giants. Probably the best defensive team SHG ever put on the field. 1994 and 1995 could have easily been back to back titles for the Cyclones. And lastly, 2020. The "spring" season in which only 6 games were played. The Cyclones had everything. They had size, speed and a great quarterback in Isaiha Thompson. That team was solid in all phases of the game. Obviously we'll never know what would have happened but I would have laid a few paychecks down on the Cycs bringing home some serious hardware had that season been played out.

That 1994 Belvedere team would go on to stomp Morris 28-0 in the title game. The were playing down a class after winning 5A the year before.

 

[johnndoe]

LWN hosting WWS some 10+ years ago in the playoffs. Leading by 1 score, the former has a long run deep into opponent's red zone very late in Q4 in what should seal the win. In the cold and snowy conditions, the stud RB who carried is subbed out for a player who had not been in the game at all. Furthermore, instead of low risk QB sneaks, the ball is handed off to the newcomer and fumbled away. Stunned, LWN gets back on its heels, WWS drives down to tie it up, then wins in OT. Could you imagine North's locker room and coaches office after that ending? A cloud must have been over any end-of-season "banquet" gathering as well.

 

[cornerrat]

I have 3 that come to mind. 1994 SHG vs Belvidere, semi-finals. SHG had in my opinion one of their best teams ever, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They were up early on Belvidere and were moving the ball on offense at will. Their main weapon and probably one of the best wide receivers they ever had, Mike Pilger was getting open and was nearly unstoppable all season, this game was no exception. Late first quarter he was injured while making a tackle, (he also played defense). He did not return to the game and later we found out that he had a serious kidney injury that needed surgery I believe. With him out of the game the Cyclones went on to lose although it was a close loss by I believe a touchdown or so. Belvidere went on to the championship game and beat Morris I believe 35-0. Had that injury not occurred I believe the Cyclones bring home the big trophy. 1995 Championship game, SHG vs Providence. SHG was a huge underdog in this game coming in, and led 17-7 through 3 quarters. 4th quarter and only 3 or 4 minutes left, SHG up 17-15 with the ball and they run it, the RB gets hit by I think his name was Steinbach, who later went on to play in the NFL, and the ball comes out, Provi recovers and goes down and scores with a few seconds left and wins 22-17. That SHG team was led by Matt Mitrione who went on to play at Purdue and then with the New York Giants. Probably the best defensive team SHG ever put on the field. 1994 and 1995 could have easily been back to back titles for the Cyclones. And lastly, 2020. The "spring" season in which only 6 games were played. The Cyclones had everything. They had size, speed and a great quarterback in Isaiha Thompson. That team was solid in all phases of the game. Obviously we'll never know what would have happened but I would have laid a few paychecks down on the Cycs bringing home some serious hardware had that season been played out.

All..... Those three are in the top 5. That Belvidere game was a cold one. Here is another one if you saw it. 1990 game against Mascoutah. Disturbing... By the way remember who fumbled that ball late in the SHG/PC 1995 game and where he is at now? Ratsy

 

[tjjrr]

Oh yes, Ratsy, I remember, and I know where he is now. That was a terrible choice of play calling in my opinion on that particular play. We handed off to a very little used RB instead of any other choices. We chose not to hand it to our main RB that year with many, many carries on the season, or do a qb run, or even better yet try a pass to Brad Swoboda, who Provi had trouble covering pretty much the whole game. Not one of our "shining" moments in my opinion. That trophy should be sitting in the glass case over at west campus. I remember the 1990 loss as well. The Mascoutah coach at the time commented after the game and said he thought we would try another pass into the end zone rather than try for a field goal. Remember 2002 vs Althoff? You know who caught the winning pass for Althoff and where he is now.....

 

[PowerI66]

Zach Oles injury...

 

[cornerrat]

Oh yes, Ratsy, I remember, and I know where he is now. That was a terrible choice of play calling in my opinion on that particular play. We handed off to a very little used RB instead of any other choices. We chose not to hand it to our main RB that year with many, many carries on the season, or do a qb run, or even better yet try a pass to Brad Swoboda, who Provi had trouble covering pretty much the whole game. Not one of our "shining" moments in my opinion. That trophy should be sitting in the glass case over at west campus. I remember the 1990 loss as well. The Mascoutah coach at the time commented after the game and said he thought we would try another pass into the end zone rather than try for a field goal. Remember 2002 vs Althoff? You know who caught the winning pass for Althoff and where he is now.....

All.... Yes I do and know where he went. (lol greener pastures) That was a tough loss as well to take. Ratsy

 

[DeanOfSelection]

I’ll nominate the 2001 team for MC. They started off with so much promise, handing JCA their only loss in a three-year span before a packed house at Gately. But from there, it was a slow regression as the season wore on. They had Providence beaten at Gately later in the year, down at the 1-yard line at the end, only to lose 10-7. After that, they just went into a tailspin. Current DC Dan O’Brien got banged up in practice while he was the backup QB, forcing us to play a kid at QB after the LA game who was a DB and had never played the position before. It was sickening to watch them lose at Hin S in the second round. If I could do it over, I’d start the season with O’Brien at QB—they’d have gone 14-0. He was perfect for that system and won a title the next season as QB. They had to play a perfect game against Com to pull it off.

 

[ClownBaby]

LWN hosting WWS some 10+ years ago in the playoffs. Leading by 1 score, the former has a long run deep into opponent's red zone very late in Q4 in what should seal the win. In the cold and snowy conditions, the stud RB who carried is subbed out for a player who had not been in the game at all. Furthermore, instead of low risk QB sneaks, the ball is handed off to the newcomer and fumbled away. Stunned, LWN gets back on its heels, WWS drives down to tie it up, then wins in OT. Could you imagine North's locker room and coaches office after that ending? A cloud must have been over any end-of-season "banquet" gathering as well.

All they had to do was take knees the game was over WWS had no time outs and there was only 1:27 left in the game.

 

[johnndoe]

Please remember that the addition of the LW North kids had zero impact on the LEE team…

Please we can’t forget that

Correct me if needed, but I believe every All-Conference player on the LWE team the 1st season after LWN closed was from the former North attendance area. Could be misinformation, but such was circulated that late October.

 

[Irish LB]

2019 Naz would have been their best team in school history by a wide margin. Thanks covid.

 

[doctor_d]

2004 Wilmo.
They do it over, Vercelli probably doesn’t get hurt in the quarterfinals. They beat Driscoll, breaking their streak, and the Cats don’t have to wait another decade before finally winning a title.

 

[CCHS-Fan]

1989 Carmel Catholic

Beat Niles Notre Dame wk9 in Niles 41-14. Ran wild on the Dons executing the wing-T to perfection.

Fast-forward to the Quarterfinals in Mundelein, only (3) weeks later, and it was a completely different Corsairs performance. Credit to the Dons who upset Carmel in a low-scoring game, 10-7.

After some weather and some good fortune, NND upset Wheaton Central in the Semi’s and then took one on the chin in the finals to the Caravan.

Would have enjoyed an all-Carmelite finals contest had the Corsairs delivered that playoff season. They certainly had the size and talent.

Would they have delivered? Probably not. MC was on a different level, beating NND 32-0!

 

[CCHS-Fan]

Quick story on Terrence Marable. Saw him play in-person a few times while he was in HS. Wouldn’t recognize him today as I’m old.

Anyway, fast-forward to a few years ago, wife wanted new windows and sourced them through a company known as ‘Power’. After the install was completed I was working from home and got a voicemail from a Power manager who was coming out that same day to do a QC inspection. After arriving, he walked through the front door and introduced himself as ‘Terrence’, and he had a physical presence. Not connecting the dots, I asked where he traveled from and he said the south suburbs. I said I remember a Terrence from the south ‘burbs who played HS FB @ Marian Catholic and then Illinois. He said, ‘Oh, that’s me!’ We reminisced a bit. He had, IMO, a very successful football career!

Nice fella!

He said he’s sending his FB playing son to Marist. I replied ‘nice choice!’

 

[McCaravan]

2019 Naz would have been their best team in school history by a wide margin. Thanks covid.

That would have been fall 2020. I think JJ McCarthy would have gone to IMG regardless of Covid or not, I think it gave him an easier exit though. I honestly think MC would have had just as strong as a team that fall. They had all the 8 back on offense and 7 on defense, including Justin Lynch at QB. Ben Perry was a 4 Star defensive player. Once the season got cancelled the team that took the field in the Spring, like many teams, was not the team that would have played in the fall. Perry left early for Louisville after completing his class requirements on line, a few players opted out for Baseball and a couple got injured. Had JJ stayed at Naz then for certain a rematch with MC would have happened and it would have been a great game.

 

[cornerrat]

2019 Naz would have been their best team in school history by a wide margin. Thanks covid.

All.... Covid isn't who you should "thank." Ratsy

 

[McCaravan]

I mentioned the 2020 MC season that never happened as one I would have loved to see how they ended up because there would be a legit possibility MC had 17 Titles instead of 16. But that wouldn't classify as a do over so here are my top MC do overs.

5. 2018. Lynchs first season. They were an option designed team that got transformed into a RPO and they took to it well. Beat the heavily favored ESL in the quarterfinals. Drew what everyone thought was a layup in the semis against St Charles North and they literally lost in OT to one player, Tyler Nubin now of the NY Giants. I don't know if MC would have beat Naz in the finals but they should have beaten SCN.

4. 1992 They beat JCA 27-6 in week 1. MC kinda went on cruise control while JCA made adjustments. They met again in the semifinals. MC was undefeated and looking for their 5th title in a row, that week one loss to MC was JCA only loss. An MC player mouth offed in the paper claiming it would be an easy win (before social media you had to rely on Bob Sakamoto for good bulletin board material). It was a cold muddy day. MC defense played great, they held Matt Larsen in check....except for 2 plays where he bolted for long TD runs. MC option was useless in the mud, JCA defense came to play too, MC lost 13-11.

3. 2005 State Title game vs Prospect. MC was 13-0. Prospect was 11-2, MC was the better team top to bottom, Prospect had no elite player or players, they just played better that day. But that was one MC wins 9 out of 10....but not that day.

2. 1993, McNabbs senior year. MC lost a heartbreaker in week 1 to JCA but then rallied off 9 convincing wins, including beating De La Salle 33-0 in week 9. 2 weeks later they draw them again in week 2 and DLS QB got hurt earlier so they had their backup. Should have been a cake walk at Gately. MC lost 9-6 and got stopped at the 1 on the last play. McNabb ends his MC career as a Prep Bowl Champion.

1. 1995 State Title game vs Maine South....MC had a beloved player die in August....this was another game where MC I believe was the better team. They were on a quest to win it for Kevin Dowling, uncle of MC QBs Blainey and Emmett, and just one thing after another...Maine South wins on a last second (pretty close anyways) FG after the original attempt missed but MC got called on a real iffy roughing the kicker penalty. Game is on You Tube, feel free to check it out and make the call if you think it was roughing. Numerous other plays just went against MC, players colliding and leaving the receiver wide open for a TD, not capitalizing on great field position, dropping easy INTs....it was a hard one for MC to swallow.

 

[PowerI66]

I mentioned the 2020 MC season that never happened as one I would have loved to see how they ended up because there would be a legit possibility MC had 17 Titles instead of 16. But that wouldn't classify as a do over so here are my top MC do overs.

5. 2018. Lynchs first season. They were an option designed team that got transformed into a RPO and they took to it well. Beat the heavily favored ESL in the quarterfinals. Drew what everyone thought was a layup in the semis against St Charles North and they literally lost in OT to one player, Tyler Nubin now of the NY Giants. I don't know if MC would have beat Naz in the finals but they should have beaten SCN.

4. 1992 They beat JCA 27-6 in week 1. MC kinda went on cruise control while JCA made adjustments. They met again in the semifinals. MC was undefeated and looking for their 5th title in a row, that week one loss to MC was JCA only loss. An MC player mouth offed in the paper claiming it would be an easy win (before social media you had to rely on Bob Sakamoto for good bulletin board material). It was a cold muddy day. MC defense played great, they held Matt Larsen in check....except for 2 plays where he bolted for long TD runs. MC option was useless in the mud, JCA defense came to play too, MC lost 13-11.

3. 2005 State Title game vs Prospect. MC was 13-0. Prospect was 11-2, MC was the better team top to bottom, Prospect had no elite player or players, they just played better that day. But that was one MC wins 9 out of 10....but not that day.

2. 1993, McNabbs senior year. MC lost a heartbreaker in week 1 to JCA but then rallied off 9 convincing wins, including beating De La Salle 33-0 in week 9. 2 weeks later they draw them again in week 2 and DLS QB got hurt earlier so they had their backup. Should have been a cake walk at Gately. MC lost 9-6 and got stopped at the 1 on the last play. McNabb ends his MC career as a Prep Bowl Champion.

1. 1995 State Title game vs Maine South....MC had a beloved player die in August....this was another game where MC I believe was the better team. They were on a quest to win it for Kevin Dowling, uncle of MC QBs Blainey and Emmett, and just one thing after another...Maine South wins on a last second (pretty close anyways) FG after the original attempt missed but MC got called on a real iffy roughing the kicker penalty. Game is on You Tube, feel free to check it out and make the call if you think it was roughing. Numerous other plays just went against MC, players colliding and leaving the receiver wide open for a TD, not capitalizing on great field position, dropping easy INTs....it was a hard one for MC to swallow.

Was at the SCN game and still don't understand how MC lost. Seemed like they could move the ball at will with (Liverpool?) number 22 I think and they just wouldn't go back to the well enough

 

[McCaravan]

Was at the SCN game and still don't understand how MC lost. Seemed like they could move the ball at will with (Liverpool?) number 22 I think and they just wouldn't go back to the well enough

It was Murphys Law, what can go wrong, will go wrong. Let down game after a big emotional win the week before. 2 missed FGs, both which should have been TDs (people wonder why Lynch rarely kicks FGs!). Fumble on a punt by Matt Lenti, his first fumble....I think ever...and underestimating just how good Nubin was. Their regular offense was useless against MC so they went to Wildcat and put the ball in their best players hands and he showed why he's now in the NFL. MC still should have won. With the RPO being brand new to this team, with a QB that was better as an option QB, they ran about 25% of what MCs playbook is now. And yes Tony Livermore should have been involved more that day. He had a huge year the following year when they went 14-0. Great athlete, playing baseball at Northwestern now.

 

[Silver Rain]

The MC/SCN game went into overtime, tied at 14. Teams traded touchdowns, tied at 21. On MC's next possession, Odeluga, a sophomore, fumbled. SCN recovered and scored, game over. I'm not naming and blaming here because in the following year's playoff game against Willowbrook, after Odeluga put on a show, he was interviewed by The U and said he had promised his teammates that he would make amends for the fumble.

If I recall, it was the second or third time NFHS intruded into our lives--and they produced a masterpiece, sound but no visual, the blue screen of death.