ICE Semis

[Wilmatucky]

As mentioned before, the ICE is not a deep conference, however it is pretty impressive to have two teams in the Semifinals from the same conference. Not just the same conference but essentially 5 miles apart. Good luck to the last two standing and represent our area well!

3A

#2 Wilmington (12-0) @ #9 Montini (10-2) - Wilmington has two keys to winning this game......Eliminate injuries and what is the injury status of Farrell? I was thinking Wilmington's season would be over here, however Montini did not look unbeatable against Princeton. Also, if you look at their results from the year, yes they beat Byron and 4A quarter team St. Laurence, but they don't really have any other win that looks overly impressive. I wouldn't bet my house on it, but for the sake of a message board, give me the Cats. Wilmo 24 Montini 21



4A

#9 Depaul (9-3) @ #7 Coal City (10-2) - Very impressed with how CC has done this year. I kind of thought they would just fizzle out by 2nd round or quarters, but they keep getting better. Same thing as Montini, Depaul hasn't really beat anyone of huge stature. Like Wilmo I wouldn't bet on this but for the Homer pick I'll take CC. CC 20 Depaul 13

Side note, what bars should be considered for a beer and lunch before the Wilmington game. Not a B-dubs or chain. Give me something with some character.

 

[brucealmighy]

Side note, what bars should be considered for a beer and lunch before the Wilmington game. Not a B-dubs or chain. Give me something with some character.

Go to Frankie’s Deli. Close to the field. Amazing Italian sandwiches. Wash it down with a Birra Moretti. If you want a traditional bar, Anyways on Roosevelt is close and decent.

 

[doctor_d]

I got both Wilmo and CC as underdogs. The upper echelon of the ICE has had memorable seasons, but the vaunted CCL/ESCC is no joke.

I will abstain from predictions this week, as I normally do for semifinals week. Instead I will just give some random data. More to come.

 

[doctor_d]

As stated before, both ICE teams are underdogs this week. Maybe CC was an underdog against Dixon, but I picked them to win and it wasn't total homerism.

Coalers took one on the chin week 1 and have done nothing besides get better ever since. They got through some mid season injury issues and are peaking at the right time. Their only other loss was @ Wilmo and if those two played each other 10 times it would probably be 5-5. The CC RB #45 is an absolute stud and does everything for the team, but the pass game has stepped up and QB #5 and WR #32 are both playmakers. CC is big and physical, but will absolutely be put to the test by DePaul. All these CCL/ESCC teams have already been there and done that. Based off the limited amount I saw vs Dixon, the Coalers will have to cut out the turnovers while still being aggressive on offense. Coalers are 2-5 all time in the semifinal round. DePaul is by all accounts an up and coming program that was a popular darkhorse pick to win 4A at the start of the playoffs. Coal City was basically on nobody's radar as a 4A contender.


Anyone who is paying attention will know that Wilmo is a fairly substantial underdog this week @ Montini. If the game was at Wilmo, I'd like it much better, but Wilmo would still be underdogs in the hypothetical situation. Wilmington is 4-1 all time in semifinal games, but they have never gone on the road for one. Wilmington is actually 1-0 all time vs Montini, having beaten them way back in coach Reents' first playoff run in 1996. This is Wilmo's first season in 3A since 2019 as they have skirted the 2A/3A border and landed on the 2A side the past 5 years.
Montini is by far Wilmington's most formidable opponent in quite a while. It is not often that the 'Cats are clear underdogs, but Montini is absolutely loaded. I'm pretty sure Montini's main RB #6 is bigger than any of Wilmo's lineman. Wilmo will have to play a very clean game to be in it. The offense will absolutely have to avoid turnovers and pre-snap penalties and stay ahead of the chains. Montini is huge up front and very stout against the run. I will be interested to see what wrinkles Barry and staff come up with. On defense it appears to be a pick your poison. Montini can pound the rock with the bowling ball RB and huge line, but they've also got a D1 dual threat QB and WR's that are lightning quick. Just a very formidable opponent. I feel like Wilmo needs to be +2 in the turnover situation. The 'Cats will need to play their best game of the year just to stay in the game, but I guess that's what it's all about.

 

[McEvergreen]

It's been a great run for Wilmington considering they started the season with 4 new starters on the O-line. Maybe Reents best coaching job so far. Losing Farrell hurts, but it's always been next man up at Wilmington. Montini had THEEEE BIG GAME vs. Byron round 2 and then had a chance to catch their breath last weekend. They will be fully re-loaded and hyper focused come Saturday. Wilmington shows up, but I've got the Broncos by 2 scores.

Coal City gives the ICE a legitimate chance to stay alive. I know nothing about DePaul, but beating Dixon was a huge win and confidence booster for the Coalers. If they can match that intensity, I like their chances in a low scoring, defensive battle. CC 20 DePaul 14 in OT.

Good Luck to both the CATS and the COALERS ☘️ the cream of the crop in a rotten conference 🤮

 

[Coalertown44]

Great run by both teams. Good showing for the ICE. I think the conference has shown that they have two very good teams, 2 average teams and 4 very bad teams. Hopefully the rest can start building those teams back

Wilmo is in a tough spot with losing Farrell on the first play last week. But Reents is one of the best to ever do it, and he will have these guys prepared and ready to go. That being said I don't think they will have enough to get the win. Cats lose by two scores. But a great season

Coalers have surprised me. At the beginning of the year, I thought they were better than last year but not this good. They are on a roll and have been playing very good since the Morris loss. DePaul is big and athletic. CC has to play mistake free and be able to take some deep shots downfield at the right time. I think Benson will have to be ready to be the bell cow and grind down the defense. CC defense will need 3 to 4 takeaways to keep the Rams offense behind the 8 ball. Its a long shot but I will take the Coalers by 1 point

Very impressed with the Coalers coaching staff this season. They brought in some young CC Alum who have college football playing experience and had rejuvenated the program. hats off to them

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

I agree with all of you that both Coal City and Wilmington have had great seasons. I'm not a fan of people speaking names of kids who are injured (they are minors) but if the Wilmo RB is out that hurts but never count the Wildcats out.

Montini is a beast and didn't put up the points many were expecting against Princeton, who was playing with their backup QB, and put up a pretty good fight. Wilmington has guarded teams well and made a very good DuPec QB look very average last week. I think Wilmington keeps is close and if the ball bounces their way, a few dropped passed, a few turnovers, they could pull out the W. I wouldn't call it an upset but it would be a surprise to many if they pull it off.

On the south 3A we are guaranteed an Illini Prairie team in the finals with Tolono or Monticello. Monticello, like Coal City, has over achieved expectations but had a favorable playoff draw. Tolono handled a very good Nashville team so I would give the the nod in this game, but the winner will have a very difficult task with Wilmington or Montini.

Coal City has definitely over achieved based on pre-season predictions but they have found ways to grind out games and convert timely first downs. DePaul, like Montini, is a different teams that CC has faced thus far in the playoffs. They are athletic and fast, based on what I have seen on streams. CC has a chance if they grind out the yards and are in 3rd and short, not 3rd and long situations.

What if Wilmington went 4A, could we have seen a Coal City vs. Wilmington championship?

 

[McEvergreen]

I wouldn't call it an upset but it would be a surprise to many if they pull it off.

LOL Wilmington beating Montini would be a HUGE UPSET and I'm sure 90% of the state agrees 😂

 

[McEvergreen]

Montini is huge up front and very stout against the run. I will be interested to see what wrinkles Barry and staff come up with.

Same thing he always tries when they can't run the ball.

1. The FB screen.
2. The play action 2 receiver route. One deep, one sideline to the QB side.

 

[doctor_d]

Same thing he always tries when they can't run the ball.

1. The FB screen.
2. The play action 2 receiver route. One deep, one sideline to the QB side.

Yeah we will see what happens. The way the offense is designed, the obvious main focus is having two relatively equal backs at the wings. Therefore those two always get the bulk of the touches and you can’t just key on one guy.
They have other kids that are good athletes, and we’ll see if they try to get them the ball a little bit more.

 

[doctor_d]

Calpreps

3A PLAYOFFS
Montini Catholic (Lombard, IL) vs. Wilmington (IL) [projection and percent chances to win: Wilmington (IL) 20 (58%) Montini Catholic (Lombard, IL) 17 (42%)]


4A PLAYOFFS
DePaul College Prep (Chicago, IL) vs. Coal City (IL) [projection and percent chances to win: Coal City (IL) 28 (60%) DePaul College Prep (Chicago, IL) 24 (40%)]

 

[doctor_d]

Massey

	Wilmington Montini # 60 (11-0) # 24 (10-2) playoff			14 34	12 % 88 %	-19.5	47.5
Sat 11.23	Coal City # 74 (10-2) DePaul Col Prep # 65 (9-3) playoff			28 27	52 % 48 %

 

[McEvergreen]

Would love to see a Coal City v U-High state championship.

 

[Coalertown44]

I've seen some film on DePaul. They are definitely bigger and faster than the Coalers. That being said there are some things that favor the Coalers. They are playing at home. There will be a huge crowd there, hopefully the weather is decent. Another is experience, CC as a program has made a lot of deep playoff runs since the first playoff game in 1987. I think the furthest the Rams have made it was the quarters. I think this will be a tight game. Mistakes and some luck might make or break the outcomes for both. Either way I am looking forward to being there

 

[Dick Saban]

I agree with all of you that both Coal City and Wilmington have had great seasons. I'm not a fan of people speaking names of kids who are injured (they are minors) but if the Wilmo RB is out that hurts but never count the Wildcats out.

Montini is a beast and didn't put up the points many were expecting against Princeton, who was playing with their backup QB, and put up a pretty good fight. Wilmington has guarded teams well and made a very good DuPec QB look very average last week. I think Wilmington keeps is close and if the ball bounces their way, a few dropped passed, a few turnovers, they could pull out the W. I wouldn't call it an upset but it would be a surprise to many if they pull it off.

On the south 3A we are guaranteed an Illini Prairie team in the finals with Tolono or Monticello. Monticello, like Coal City, has over achieved expectations but had a favorable playoff draw. Tolono handled a very good Nashville team so I would give the the nod in this game, but the winner will have a very difficult task with Wilmington or Montini.

Coal City has definitely over achieved based on pre-season predictions but they have found ways to grind out games and convert timely first downs. DePaul, like Montini, is a different teams that CC has faced thus far in the playoffs. They are athletic and fast, based on what I have seen on streams. CC has a chance if they grind out the yards and are in 3rd and short, not 3rd and long situations.

What if Wilmington went 4A, could we have seen a Coal City vs. Wilmington championship?

What if my aunt had balls? She'd be my uncle.

 

[IceConGuy]

The size/speed and depth of the CCL may be too much for both teams. Neither will go down without a fight. I think CC has the best chance of the two being at home. From all looks, DePaul likes to throw the ball. CC's pass rush has been pretty strong all season. The last two games they seem to be getting a lot of pressure. If the coalers can keep that, they got a chance. If DePaul keeps the QB upright, it will probably not go CC's way.

Wilmington losing their best RB is killer. The margin for error became even smaller. Not sure if they will be able to keep it up. Reents will have them prepared.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

DePaul had a WR that gave SF fits back in the regular season...name escapes me.

 

[Dick Saban]

The size/speed and depth of the CCL may be too much for both teams. Neither will go down without a fight. I think CC has the best chance of the two being at home. From all looks, DePaul likes to throw the ball. CC's pass rush has been pretty strong all season. The last two games they seem to be getting a lot of pressure. If the coalers can keep that, they got a chance. If DePaul keeps the QB upright, it will probably not go CC's way.

Wilmington losing their best RB is killer. The margin for error became even smaller. Not sure if they will be able to keep it up. Reents will have them prepared.

How is the spread impacted with Wilmington being on the road and not having the support of the backwoods brethren leading them out to battle?

 

[doctor_d]

How is the spread impacted with Wilmington being on the road and not having the support of the backwoods brethren leading them out to battle?

Being on turf rather than natural grass would seem to favor Montini. Otherwise it’s probably the standard home field factor of a couple points.

 

[Coalertown44]

The size/speed and depth of the CCL may be too much for both teams. Neither will go down without a fight. I think CC has the best chance of the two being at home. From all looks, DePaul likes to throw the ball. CC's pass rush has been pretty strong all season. The last two games they seem to be getting a lot of pressure. If the coalers can keep that, they got a chance. If DePaul keeps the QB upright, it will probably not go CC's way.

Wilmington losing their best RB is killer. The margin for error became even smaller. Not sure if they will be able to keep it up. Reents will have them prepared.

DePaul QB is very elusive but seems to be turnover prone from what I see

 

[McEvergreen]

DePaul QB is very elusive but seems to be turnover prone from what I see

The CC defense is very well coached. They won't let him run wild.