ICE Playoffs Week 1

[Wilmatucky]

Old Wilmatucky was pretty busy these last few weeks, but luckily my schedule has cleared up just in time for playoffs to start. Nice win by Lisle in week 9 to get a playoff spot. I think this week is pretty straight forward.

2A

#14 Palos Heights (Chicago Christian) (5-4) at #3 Wilmington (8-1) - I believe these two played back in like 02 or 03. Anyway, I think PHCC is overmatched. They did not beat anybody that good and they got blown out by any decent team they played. I think Wilmo rolls with ease. 42-14


3A

#16 Peotone (5-4) at #1 Princeton (9-0) - If Peotone was as good as I anticipated at the start of the year I think it would be a game. I don't see the 'Tone hanging here. Not sure how Princeton finishes up but this one will not provide any trouble and it should be a decent tune up of the 'Tone. Princeton by several 49-24

#11 Lisle (Sr.) (5-4) at #6 Byron (8-1) - Haven't these two played like every year in the playoffs? It sure seems like it. Either way Byron is a better team and it will show this weekend. Tough team for a 6 seed. Byron wins handily. 42-7

15 Chicago (Carver) (5-3) at #2 Braidwood (Reed-Custer) (9-0) - Nothing to be said here. If RC clocked every team so far this will be no different. Could score 200 if they wanted. RC by whatever they want.

4A

#9 Wood River (East Alton) (6-3) at #8 Coal City (6-3) - GOTW! Evenly matched teams. Gotta think the Coalers had a tougher schedule. Helps them to not have to drive 4 hours south for this one. I think this is the only game that COULD go either way. It won't though. CC by 2. 35-21

I see 3 ICE teams moving on. Hopefully some weird stuff happens and they can all make a run.

 

[doctor_d]

Welcome back @Wilmatucky

 

[Coalertown44]

Welcome back @Wilmatucky

Well week 10 is here, I think the top three teams in the ICE got very good draws. Lisle and Tone have their work cut out for them

2A

#14 Palos Heights (Chicago Christian) (5-4) at #3 Wilmington (8-1) - Chicago Christian has 4 losses to good teams but I don't see them being much of an issue for the Cats at home. I think round 2 with Tri Valley will be a much closer game. Cats 42 Knights 13

3A

#16 Peotone (5-4) at #1 Princeton (9-0) - Tones loss to Lisle was tough, instead of playing a game at Du Pec they draw one of the handful of 3A favorites in Princeton. From what I have seen and heard. Princeton is just as good as anyone in 3A. Unfortunately I don't see much of a path for Tone to advance. Tigers 47 Blue Devils 20

#11 Lisle (Sr.) (5-4) at #6 Byron (8-1) - Lions got a week 9 win to get in and their reward was a road game at Lisle. Ouch. Well the Lions can say they made the postseason. Byron big and big early in this one. Tigers 48 Lions 6

15 Chicago (Carver) (5-3) at #2 Braidwood (9-0) - This will be over as soon as they do the coin flip. Comets have rolled all competition in their path this year. This is the best team in their history and they have all the tools to make a run. They won't get tested until the Quarters and possibly the Semi finals Comets 72 Challengers 12

4A

#9 Wood River (East Alton) (6-3) at #8 Coal City (6-3) - If you would of told me after week 1 that the Coalers would be hosting a round 1 playoff game I would of had you committed. The Coalers got a gift from the football Gods by going South. The 4A North bracket is an absolute monster. I saw improvement every week from both lines and CC has gotten themselves a decent passing game. Wood River has the long bus ride up. Should be an entertaining first round game but I think CC locks this down in the second half. Coalers 38 Oilers 20

Looking at Round 2, Wilmo and Braidwood should move on to the quarters. CC wins and they would have an interesting round two matchup with either Caterville or Geneseo. I think the Coalers could play with both of those teams and make it interesting

 

[isubluedevil]

2A- Cats over Knights BIG. 49-0 Enough Said!

3A- Princeton over Peotone. The Blue Devils seem to be heading the wrong direction. Lack of dynamic playmakers has been our problem all year. Princeton has the best athlete on the field and we won't be able to defend him. Princeton 35 Peotone 7

Byron over Lisle. The defending state champs won't be challenged in this one. Lisle was lucky to get in and now they will be smacked by the Tigers. Byron 48 Lisle 7

Reed-Custer over Carver- This could end up really bad for Carver. RC's backups are going to run wild on Carver. RC 70 Carver 6

CC over East Alton- Coalers finally got the passing game going last week. I think CC plays enough defense to get the job done at home. CC 27 EA 14

 

[McEvergreen]

The playoffs are here and that means lop-sided draws Round 1. Round 2 it gets a whole lot more interesting.

Chicago Christian (5-4) at Wilmington (8-1) - The Cats are almost unbeatable at home. Chicago Christian has lost to some good teams and Wilmington is a good team. Wilmington 35 Chicago Christian 7

Peotone (5-4) at Princeton (9-0) - The Blue Devils losing to Lisle on Friday night got a whole lot worse on Saturday night. The Tigers offense rolls big in this one. Princeton 49 Peotone 7.

Lisle (5-4) at Byron (8-1) - Tremendous road effort by the Lions last week just to get in. The payout... going back on the road only this time to defending state champ Byron. Byron 47 Lisle 0

Chicago (Carver) (5-3) at Braidwood (9-0) - Why am I already looking at the second round? Because Carver gets inducted into the Comets You Got Clocked Club that's why. RC 71 Carver 6

Wood River (6-3) at Coal City (6-3) - Talk about the luck of the draw. The Coalers wind up South and also get a home game round one. Wood River gets off the bus slow and the Coalers roll. CC 38 Wood River 13

 

[doctor_d]

Not much else to say, I agree with everyone so far.
Lisle and Peotone, congrats on a nice year.
RC, CC and Wilmo advance.
@McEvergreen “You Got Clocked Club” lol

 

[McEvergreen]

Final thoughts on the ICE teams that didn't make it in? Me: Not surprised about Manteno or Herscher, but I thought Streator would be better. Who has the most coming back?

Manteno (2-5) (2-7)
Streator (1-6) (2-7)
Herscher (0-7) (1-8)

Their non-conf opponents this year were pretty tough. Manteno had Evergreen Park and Plano. Streator had East Peoria and Ottawa. Herscher had Charleston and Rochelle. Will these change or stay pretty much the same?

A good place to start would be improving on Offense and taking some of the pressure off their "D". Looking at the numbers, all three teams gave up 350+ points for the season.

 

[Coalertown44]

Final thoughts on the ICE teams that didn't make it in? Me: Not surprised about Manteno or Herscher, but I thought Streator would be better. Who has the most coming back?

Manteno (2-5) (2-7)
Streator (1-6) (2-7)
Herscher (0-7) (1-8)

Their non-conf opponents this year were pretty tough. Manteno had Evergreen Park and Plano. Streator had East Peoria and Ottawa. Herscher had Charleston and Rochelle. Will these change or stay pretty much the same?

A good place to start would be improving on Offense and taking some of the pressure off their "D". Looking at the numbers, all three teams gave up 350+ points for the season.

I feel like every season we say Streator will be better and they are always just Streator

 

[McEvergreen]

I feel like every season we say Streator will be better and they are always just Streator

I hear ya. Seems like they should be in the middle of the pack with a Peotone or Lisle. Maybe it's the water.

 

[Coalertown44]

I hear ya. Seems like they should be in the middle of the pack with a Peotone or Lisle. Maybe it's the water.

It isn't for a lack of athletes. They have plenty of those on their basketball teams

 

[FCHS2019]

Final thoughts on the ICE teams that didn't make it in? Me: Not surprised about Manteno or Herscher, but I thought Streator would be better. Who has the most coming back?

Manteno (2-5) (2-7)
Streator (1-6) (2-7)
Herscher (0-7) (1-8)

Their non-conf opponents this year were pretty tough. Manteno had Evergreen Park and Plano. Streator had East Peoria and Ottawa. Herscher had Charleston and Rochelle. Will these change or stay pretty much the same?

A good place to start would be improving on Offense and taking some of the pressure off their "D". Looking at the numbers, all three teams gave up 350+ points for the season.

I don't see much turn around at Herscher, program is an absolute mess..

Next year have Charleston and Mac for non-conference, I'm expecting a solid 0-9 season..

 

[McEvergreen]

I don't see much turn around at Herscher, program is an absolute mess..

Next year have Charleston and Mac for non-conference, I'm expecting a solid 0-9 season..

No success on the lower levels? How many Frosh do they usually start off with in August?

 

[FCHS2019]

No success on the lower levels? How many Frosh do they usually start off with in August?

Heard they had 20ish freshmen out, one of the few ICE programs to have freshmen schedule.. know the JV won two games

 

[doctor_d]

Looks like Herscher has missed the playoffs since their kinda improbable semifinal run in 2018.
Don’t know what going on over there, but they’ve fallen off along with Manteno.

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

I know a little about the ICE teams but speaking from what I see in the central part of the state the drop off of programs is usually a perfect storm of various factors. These drop off usually include 2 or 3 weak classes in a row, losing a veteran coach with no plan for a successor, constant coaching changes (both head and assistant), running a program where kids are not held accountable, and coaches coaching for themselves and not coaching for the players.

I would venture to guess that Streator, Manteno, and Herscher have all experienced on of what is stated above. Small school programs will always have ups and downs and it is the the programs that can still find some success in those down years are the ones that have long-term success. I have no doubt that these can turn it around in a few years.

 

[FCHS2019]

Looks like Herscher has missed the playoffs since their kinda improbable semifinal run in 2018.
Don’t know what going on over there, but they’ve fallen off along with Manteno.

Not sure it was really improbable, they were coming off back to back quarterfinal years in 4A and dropped down to 3A that year... but its been a real struggle the last 4 seasons..

 

[doctor_d]

Not sure it was really improbable, they were coming off back to back quarterfinal years in 4A and dropped down to 3A that year... but its been a real struggle the last 4 seasons..

I went back and looked at their season schedule and results.
No disrespect, but other than situations where smaller teams play in larger conferences then drop down for playoffs, anytime a 5-4 team makes a semifinal run, I’d call it at least a little bit “unexpected.”

 

[FCHS2019]

I went back and looked at their season schedule and results.
No disrespect, but other than situations where smaller teams play in larger conferences then drop down for playoffs, anytime a 5-4 team makes a semifinal run, I’d call it at least a little bit “unexpected.”

I guess we knew 3A was weak that year and we were healthy by the end of the year, during the middle of the season had some games with 3 really good linemen were in street clothes

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

By far the best time of the year!

Chicago Christian vs. Wilmington -the Knights squeak in at 5-4 and their reward is a short trip to Wilmington. The Wildcats always seem to be playing their best football at the end of the season and will use this game as a tune up for a more challenging game in round 2. Christian has played some decent competition this season but they were only able to muster up 7 points against teams who are above average, however, they will put up a fight but the Wildcats prevail. Wilmington 35 Chicago Christian 13

Princeton vs. Peotone - the Blue Devils are starting to make it a habit getting into the playoffs but they haven’t got out of the first round since 2017. Princeton however is making it a habit getting to the quarterfinals which they have done the past 3 seasons. The Blue Devils will bring their best effort and will fight until the very end but the Tigers will be too much. Peotone scores first and keeps it close early but Princeton turns on the gas and coasts for the win. Princeton 40 Peotone 13

Carver vs. Reed-Custer - not much to see here. Carver is the typical CPS school and probably has a few really good athletes but lack the football skill to get anything done. The Comets roll to a easy victory and the starters should be out before the 2nd quarter. Second stringers, will get their opportunity to shine because from here on out, the Comets have some very formidable opponents. Reed-Custer 68 Carver 0

Byron vs. Lisle - the Lions were a bit of a spoiler and a surprise to even be playing in week 10 and they are playing Byron, again. Byron has a good sized line and a solid backfield, again. Lisle is playing solid football and coach Parpet has worked his magic, again. Byron wins, again. Byron 48 Lisle 6

East Alton vs. Coal City - I am very impressed at how the Coalers have improved throughout the season. Sitting at 1-2 after 3 tough opponents, they could have folded but rather improved their varied style of play and the mix of run a and pass will be tough for an uncommon opponent to prepare for. I know absolutely nothing about East Alton but after looking at their schedule they seem to be a solid team but that’s is a long trip up I-55. Coal City 32 East Alton 21

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

A Peotone coach got ejected at halftime....any truth to that one?

 

[Swansa01]

Yes

 

[CaravanMan]

A Peotone coach got ejected at halftime....any truth to that one?

Yes. 2 unsportsmanlike penalties. Was the hc

 

[McEvergreen]

Ohhhh the frustration that comes out when your team didn't live up to pre-season expectations. It happens.

 

[doctor_d]

Yikes. What were the circumstances?

 

[doctor_d]

Ex ICE/I8 Seneca thumped Winnebago pretty good 48-20.

 

[McEvergreen]

They are going to need their "A" game next week against Byron.

 

[doctor_d]

They are going to need their "A" game next week against Byron.

I took the 15 minute drive over to Seneca because I thought it would be a good one. Seneca was pretty dominant. They run full house T formation and hide the ball well. Everyone carries out their fakes well. On a couple occasions from my vantage point I had no idea where the ball was at first…only to see a Seneca kid running free for a huge gain. Their line held their own and was very good against the run. Definitely look susceptible to a good passing team.
Byron will be a huge challenge, but the Seneca team I saw tonight could at least make it interesting.

 

[McEvergreen]

I took the 15 minute drive over to Seneca because I thought it would be a good one. Seneca was pretty dominant. They run full house T formation and hide the ball well. Everyone carries out their fakes well. On a couple occasions from my vantage point I had no idea where the ball was at first…only to see a Seneca kid running free for a huge gain. Their line held their own and was very good against the run. Definitely look susceptible to a good passing team.
Byron will be a huge challenge, but the Seneca team I saw tonight could at least make it interesting.

I love old fashion hide the ball ground n pound. Plus, they get to host. I hope they play well. Byron is so damn intimidating getting off the bus. If Seneca can hang thru the 1st quarter, it could get real interesting. Gotta weather that Tiger initial storm.

 

[doctor_d]

The Bago people I talked to said Byron was good but not at the level they were last year FWIW.