ICE Playoffs Round 2

[Wilmatucky]

Once again Ole' Wilmatucky was spot on with his predictions. Let's see if the streak continues.

3A

#7 Eureka (9-1) @ #2 Wilmington (10-0) - While I do think that Eureka will be among the top 2 toughest opponents to date for the Cats (not saying much), I do not think this one will be close. Yes Eureka was toward the top of their 2A conference, I still do not see it as an extremely deep conference. Eureka beat the 'Tone......OK great it was a close one and as we already know the Devils were not that tough this year. I like JR and the boys to grind out the double wing and win by 3 scores. Wilmo 35 Eureka 14

4A

#7 Coal City (8-2) @ #15 Rockford (Boylan Catholic) (6-4) - RBC is going to be better than most 15 seeds that typically qualify. I think that despite being second in a pretty crappy ICE conference, CC is actually a pretty solid team. I get the allure behind RBC is that they are playing much larger schools, but lets be honest, they were still one win above .500 in the regular season. RBC is in a closed conference with some not so great teams. If they were 7-2 or 8-1 come end of season I would be a little fearful for the Coalers, but I like the ICE in this one. Close score, but CC is in control. CC 28-RBC 20

I agree with what DR. D said last week. Peotone losing really boned Wilmo for a home Semi game. Not that I think they have a chance anyway, but it would have been fun.

 

[McEvergreen]

#7 Eureka (9-1) @ #2 Wilmington (10-0) - Yawwnnnnn ... this one is over by halftime. Reents will call off the cats as soon as they hit 40+ midway 3rd. The Hornets score during garbage time. CATS 49 Eureka 13.

#7 Coal City (8-2) @ #15 Rockford Boylan (6-4) - Boylan dropped their last 3 games before defeating South Shore. The Coalers have been rock solid in all 3 phases of the game since losing to Morris. Already looking forward to the throw down with Dixon in Coal City! CC 34 Boylan 14

 

[doctor_d]

Eureka is pretty good. They like to sling it around and might be able to bust a few big plays. Seems like they had an opportunistic defense vs Peotone, forcing 3 turnovers. They did have 4 shutouts this year.
As long as Wilmo isn’t really hampering themselves with penalties and turnovers, I think they should be able to consistently score. A lot of teams have been keyed in on the senior WB which has allowed the junior WB to have some huge games lately with pretty remarkable YPC numbers.
Give me Wilmo pulling away to win by 3-4 scores in what is very likely their last opportunity to run out of the woods.

Boylan’s conference contains some fairly large enrollment schools, but none of them seem to be that great. Their conference went only 2-4 in round 1, but two of those losses were to Mt. Carmel and St. Rita. Coalers have probably been bigger than every opponent except Morris, but this time they might not have the size advantage. I think that weather could be a factor and that Boylan’s defense will be tougher than most other teams that CC has played. I like CC to move on in a one score game.

 

[IceConGuy]

Agree pretty much with everyone here. Wilmington 35-Eureka 14. Eureka gets one in the first and one in garbage time. CC 14 - Boylan 7. I think both teams' defenses will be able to hold for the most part. CC's will be better. CC wins field position leading to winning score.

2-0 week and then the heat gets turned way up for the ICE

 

[Coalertown44]

Cats win big. 4 to 5 scores and the Coalers will win by 14.

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

Eureka vs. Wilmington - the Hornets are playing some good ball right now and their only hiccup was against a very good Tri Valley team. Eureka is a spread team but not a finesse type spread team, they prefer running the ball and do so out of multiple formations. They had to play all of their cards last week against a formidable Peotone team and were on the lucky side of the turnover game which resulted in them winning. Eureka's biggest struggle this year has been on the defensive side of the ball. They have 3 shutouts, EP 14-0, Dee Mac 47-0, and Tremont 48-0, but none of those teams are great offensively. Wilmington grounds and pounds and beats teams into submission, exactly what they did to Stillman Valley next week. Should be a good and physical game but Wilmington prevails in the end. Wilmington 34 Eureka 16

Coal City vs. Boylan - I know nothing of Boylan but CC being a physical team probably does not bode well for Boylan. They play bigger schools but I would say the top tier ICE teams would probably do pretty well in the conference. Coal City has a good RB and their defense is always tough. Coal City 28 Boylan 12

 

[bryce45]

Coal City with a strong second half and pulls out a 33-10 win.