Big 7A matchup Saturday at Batavia. Batavia is battle-tested, Hersey is flying high. Who do you guys like?
Hersey @ Batavia
- Thread starter sewardsfolly
- Start date
What are your thoughts? Obviously I know the teams historically with Batavia having playoff success in the past and Hersey, while playoff challenged in their past, is having a phenomenal year and has had a solid program for as long as I can remember. How does it shake out this weekend?
I know that Hersey has some solid athletes and good team speed, some VERY large lineman. On the flipside, Batavia is extremely physical and lost a couple of close games to two really good opponents. Batavia needs to keep Hersey's offense off the field.
As I mentioned in a post last Friday night, Hersey has the fastest team I can ever recall in my 40 years of watching high school football in the North/Northwest suburbs. The key to this game will definitely be Batavia limiting possessions for the Huskies. Weather could be a big factor as Hersey like to throw a lot of bubble and tunnel screens. Junior Carson Grove plays safety and WR and can absolutely fly and is a game changer on kick and punt return. Reminds me A LOT of their current head coach when he played there. Sophomore Chuck Meister is a player with big time upside as a ferocious hitter from the safety spot and also doubles as a tailback. Senior Kersemeier will get the majority of the carries at tailback and can fly. Both the Qbs can run although Soph Gumino more of the thrower and Hansen more a runner. Let's not forget about Power 5 Soph TE Logan Farrell who transferred from Palatine. Kid can scoot as well and needs to always be accounted for and plays with a high motor. Batavia gonna have to tackle well and win the turnover battle because they will not be able to match the speed. I believe this comes down to a last drive winner for either side and I personally am excited to be there rain, wind, cold, whatever.....
Most speed I’ve ever seen on a FB field in my limited exposure (seeing it ‘live’) was the JCA backfield combination of Josh Ferguson (Illinois), Malin Jones (Northwestern) and Ty Isaac Jr. (USC/Michigan).
If Hersey’s speed is at that same level as JCA’s like you evangelize, Batavia is in trouble.
Naz has had great speed that I’ve seen ‘live’ over the years also.
Any early offers for those players at Hersey?
If Hersey’s speed is at that same level as JCA’s like you evangelize, Batavia is in trouble.
Naz has had great speed that I’ve seen ‘live’ over the years also.
Any early offers for those players at Hersey?
You didn't see where I said from the North/Northwest suburbs. Not sure who has offers yet. From what I read the Farrell kid is a power 5 TE. Soph QB Gumino seems to be doing a lot of game day visits. Meister is a high level baseball prospect as a catcher but I believe he could be a great add for a mid major as the kid hits like a truck. The Grove kid is literally a head coach Tom Nelson clone and Coach Nelson played at Illinois State and the Bengals. Guessing Edgy can fill us in on any offers for these kids
Didn't Batavia win the state championship in track last year? I don't think they are exactly a "slow" team either
They got ran around and ran past the entire 1st half against LWE. I didn’t see a lot of speed from Batavia side. It’s just 1 game though.
Can’t comment on the other Batavia games as I didn’t see them.
There have been plenty of fast teams in Northern suburbs over the years (2007 LZ). The TE is a very physical player, but he isn’t a speedster. The backs are fast and shifty. Overall team speed on defense is above average. I think Batavia has seen some fast teams this season with the schedule they have played. Hersey has played one good team . Will they be able to play physical football with Batavia for four quarters. If they can they will win.
I like Batavia as they have a great coaching staff.
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I wasn’t ‘calling out’ your North/Northwest suburbs sample size. I was adding some context, personally.
Good lord, what is it with posters on this message board and the playoffs? Some of you need the Summers Eve aisle.
Lets cut to the chase Batavia is going to Slam Jansey at them all day long. And Hersey hasnt seen that all year long. LB's bailing into coverage all year have to take on blockers and fill gaps for the first time.
What has the best DC known to Illinois football ever won in the playoffs?
There are two sides of the football. All his teams played great D. Hersey has a great O to go with it now.
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Love it! Now we’re in a playoff banter! 😂
NO DOUBT, but its ok that the mighty Batavia dynasty could get knocked off by an MSL team.
I am not sure because I have not seen Hersey and don’t know the level of competition they have played. I do know Batavia has played some good teams. This has given them the experience that may give them the edge.
I saw Prospect without their top WR (for most of the night) and didn't expect Hersey to beat them.
Let me preface this by saying I'm in no way a Batavia fan. Not even close.
Hersey looks like they are having a season that they'll able to talk about for years to come. Congrats to them. It's fun seeing new blood at the top of the rankings/seedings every once in a while. Batavia is about as good of a 6-3 team that you'll ever see in the state of Illinois. Losing to 3 teams that should all go very, very far in the playoffs.
This will be fun game to watch no doubt but in the end it's going to be the program that's been through the wars, that's played in these big games year after year and is comfortable in these big situations. Batavia wins this game by 10. If Batavia was 8-1 in the regular season, which theoretically they very easily could of been, ppl would be saying this would be a blowout.
Hersey looks like they are having a season that they'll able to talk about for years to come. Congrats to them. It's fun seeing new blood at the top of the rankings/seedings every once in a while. Batavia is about as good of a 6-3 team that you'll ever see in the state of Illinois. Losing to 3 teams that should all go very, very far in the playoffs.
This will be fun game to watch no doubt but in the end it's going to be the program that's been through the wars, that's played in these big games year after year and is comfortable in these big situations. Batavia wins this game by 10. If Batavia was 8-1 in the regular season, which theoretically they very easily could of been, ppl would be saying this would be a blowout.
I despise Batavia and that ain’t a dynasty. They’re just way more battle tested and have a body of work as a program I can appreciate a lot more.
My Hersey knowledge is somewhat limited to a Naz-Hersey playoff game and well let’s just say I hope that was a different DC.
Mike Donatucci, longtime head coach at Fremd (when they were actually good) and turned around the Hoffman Estates program. Everyone respects Mike.
If its at Batavia, look for BATV on YT. Great production on all home games.
And they have a placeholder up on YT for the 12p game tomorrow. Always fun to see the Alumni who show up in the chat too.
Batavia over/under for pass attempts is at 6.5. Under is my guess…..not cause they can’t, but because they won’t have to.
We'll see how much Batavia respects him.
In other news, the Storm got wafflestomped tonight. Just sayin'
People are severely under estimating Hersey. I saw them beat Prospect on the road and their offense was fantastic. They have trail blazing offensive linemen and a ton of team speed at the skill positions. They will often pull an entire back side of the line on sweeps or end arounds to create a numbers advantage.
I’m not predicting a Hersey win, but think they have a 50/50 shot at it.
I’m not predicting a Hersey win, but think they have a 50/50 shot at it.
Batavia runs the ball and will use the same game plan St.Rita gave Mt. Prospect and wear Hersey down.
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