ICCP 35, Byron 0 F

[doctor_d]

Once again Byron pulls off a late stunner to knock off Braidwood and earn a semifinal trip to Elmhurst.
IC had an OT nail biter of their own over Princeton.
Is this the preferred matchup for IC for the “revenge” narrative?
I also was more focused on RC/Byron but I noticed a different RB carrying the ball for IC. Is #7 banged up?
Should be a good one.

 

[stl705]

Not sure if IC #7 is banged up, but against Princeton looked like they fed the hot hand and that was #33 who Princeton couldn’t stop in 2nd half.

This should be a real good game like Princeton was. IC needs to limit penalties if they are to win.

 

[colin2229]

IC wins bc of the home turf.

 

[McEvergreen]

IC at home definitely the favorite, but Byron .......... well ...... is B Y R O N 🐅

 

[eireog]

Was last years game at IC? It was a great game if my failing memory doesn’t fail me

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

IC wins bc of the home turf.

They didn't last year!

 

[eireog]

Anyone got a time on this game yet?

 

[lurker74]

Anyone got a time on this game yet?

Says 3pm on Byron’s twitter.

people looking for a double header could do York at 1pm, and about 1/2 mile away is IC at 3

 

[MalleusMaleficarum]

Says 3pm on Byron’s twitter.

people looking for a double header could do York at 1pm, and about 1/2 mile away is IC at 3

Not a bad choice as far as games are concerned, but should late arrivers at IC expect to stand? I have no idea on sitting capacity there.

 

[Alexander32]

Once again Byron pulls off a late stunner to knock off Braidwood and earn a semifinal trip to Elmhurst.
IC had an OT nail biter of their own over Princeton.
Is this the preferred matchup for IC for the “revenge” narrative?
I also was more focused on RC/Byron but I noticed a different RB carrying the ball for IC. Is #7 banged up?
Should be a good one.

I watched the game on YouTube. I did not get the sense #7 was injured in any way. He played the majority of snaps in the first half, and #33 played the majority of snaps in the second half. In fact, I don't think #7 was in for more than a handful of plays in the second half. The sense I got, though, was that this was due to #33 being the better back. #7 is a powerful runner but did not display much elusiveness or natural instincts for finding running lanes. He has been the starter all year. However, #33 seems to be the better running back, in part because he has better instincts for finding the hole. He is only a sophomore though, so I think the coaching staff has been bringing him along slowly. When the team was in trouble, they went with their best back in the second half.

I must add that those are merely my observations. I am not close to the team and therefore have no special knowledge.

 

[colin2229]

I watched the game on YouTube. I did not get the sense #7 was injured in any way. He played the majority of snaps in the first half, and #33 played the majority of snaps in the second half. In fact, I don't think #7 was in for more than a handful of plays in the second half. The sense I got, though, was that this was due to #33 being the better back. #7 is a powerful runner but did not display much elusiveness or natural instincts for finding running lanes. He has been the starter all year. However, #33 seems to be the better running back, in part because he has better instincts for finding the hole. He is only a sophomore though, so I think the coaching staff has been bringing him along slowly. When the team was in trouble, they went with their best back in the second half.

I must add that those are merely my observations. I am not close to the team and therefore have no special knowledge.

#7 is committed to a D1 program (St Thomas). He’s a special player.

He played defense in the second half so he wasn’t hurt.

Super interesting. Appears he just got benched.

 

[iamgroot]

Not a bad choice as far as games are concerned, but should late arrivers at IC expect to stand? I have no idea on sitting capacity there.

Limited. They've brought in extra bleachers before on the south end of the field, but even then, it's likely to be full. Standing might be warmer anyway as sitting on an aluminum bleacher in 30 degree weather can be brutal.

 

[doctor_d]

#7 is committed to a D1 program (St Thomas). He’s a special player.

He played defense in the second half so he wasn’t hurt.

Super interesting. Appears he just got benched.

That is pretty unexpected. I’ve seen a few IC games and 7 has always been an impressive back. I know a lot of teams will sell out a bit and scheme to stop 14, but 7 has had the most production in the games I saw.

Early take: I think IC gets their payback & advances this time. Close game but IC pulls away and wins by 10. 24-14. No disrespect to Byron because they are just always really good, and have been the gold standard in 3A for a number of years now, but I think they were quite fortunate to escape R-C again. IC won’t have the same misfortune that Braidwood did.

 

[RPG24]

This game will be a slug fest. I expect Byron to travel well

 

[Coalertown44]

As much as I hate to say it I think IC wins this and by two or three scores. Byron got about every break possible last week against the Comets. This one will be different

 

[doctor_d]

As much as I hate to say it I think IC wins this and by two or three scores. Byron got about every break possible last week against the Comets. This one will be different

Agreed. Byron got it done, and although RC can be proud of the season they had, they must feel pretty terrible about how that game went. IC did show a few chinks in their armor, but really picked it up in the 2nd half. Byron Qb threw some nice deep balls and I think they’ll need a couple of those again.

 

[Alexander32]

Defending champions are dangerous. Each year there are eight defending champions, one for each of the eight class levels. Over the last 20 playoffs, at least one of the eight defending champions repeated as champion the following year 17 times (85%). Usually more than one repeated. Lena-Winslow and Byron are the two defending champions still alive in this year's playoffs. Byron is dangerous.

 

[McEvergreen]

Defending champions are dangerous. Each year there are eight defending champions, one for each of the eight class levels. Over the last 20 playoffs, at least one of the eight defending champions repeated as champion the following year 17 times (85%). Usually more than one repeated. Lena-Winslow and Byron are the two defending champions still alive in this year's playoffs. Byron is dangerous.

Byron is very dangerous. They've been the underdog so many times over the years and they seem to always find a way. Take last week. RC had them outmatched at every position on both sides of the ball. The Comets also brought last years revenge card along for good measure. We know how that turned out. Byron found a way! The Tigers aren't flashy, the don't have a superstar and they're small upfront by Byron standards. Their defense is not as physical as it has been in the past and they're not going to pitch a shutout. They are very beatable this season and yet here they are one win away from going to Champaign. Is there another coaching staff in 3A that gets more out of their kids?

 

[doctor_d]

Looks like IC has this in the bag... up 21-0 in the 4th and driving... then i lost the feed.

 

[doctor_d]

I didn't see Byron attempt to pass. Without the deep balls, they wouldn't have been playing this week.

 

[doctor_d]

Game over, IC wins 35-0. Will play Williamsville for the title.

 

[iamgroot]

Looks like IC has this in the bag... up 21-0 in the 4th and driving... then i lost the feed.

Power failure. Too many heaters in the press box. 😂

 

[doctor_d]

Maybe a little bit of conference/area homerism, but I would have rather seen IC at RC. Grumble…
Congrats to IC on the solid win. I expect them to finish off the season with the big trophy.

 

[McEvergreen]

IC is definitely the favorite in 3A. Williamsville won't lay down tho.

 

[iamgroot]

IC is definitely the favorite in 3A. Williamsville won't lay down tho.

Any team making it to the state final won't lay down. There's too much time, energy, and emotion invested.

 

[McEvergreen]

Any team making it to the state final won't lay down. There's too much time, energy, and emotion invested.

By lay down I mean, go into the game thinking they have no chance. I've seen plenty of teams fake it for a quarter, but after getting down early it becomes pretty apparent they don't believe.

 

[rfb321]

Any team making it to the state final won't lay down. There's too much time, energy, and emotion invested.

I think he meant to say “They’ll definitely show up”. Won’t lay down kinda the same thing

 

[doctor_d]

Williamsville is more diverse offensively than Byron and they have had postseason success including winning state a few years ago. Definitely they will show up, but I just like IC to get it done.