ICE State Final (AKA 2A Wilmo vs Nashville)

[Wilmatucky]

One team standing in the ICE. Will they raise the championship trophy high?

1 Wilmington (13-0) vs 6 Nashville (12-1)

It's a new class for the Cat's and like they say sometimes to win it all you need a little luck too. I think that with Nashville's upset of St. Teresa, Wilmington's doors have opened up greatly. I am not saying we would have lost to St. T, I just viewed them as a much more difficult task. Nashville obviously has to be decent to have beat them and make it this far. However, after watching Wilmington the last 2 weeks and seeing the intensity they are playing with I cannot see them losing this game. They looked on another level last night and I think any of the 3A semi teams would have had their hands full if they went into Becker Field.

Nashville's only loss came to Freeburg who was a 4A quarterfinal loser to Rochester. They are a decent team but not world beaters. They only beat 3 teams with winning records prior to the playoffs. It's always tough to get a read on the teams from the deep south. I know this causes a lot of the Southern Illinois football fans to say that the north overlooks the south, but it's just hard to get a read. They beat each other up and some of those schools may have a serious lack of depth on their roster.

The football gods have blessed Wilmington with a bypass of St. Teresa. I do not think that Nashville will have the firepower to score on Wilmington or the speed on defense to keep up with the Wilmington ground game. I think this one gets pretty ugly. Wilmington will be your 2A state champions. WHS 44 Nashville 10

 

[rocketnation]

This is one of the games I will definitely watch next weekend. Nashville has defeated three formerly unbeaten teams in the playoffs. Pana and St Teresa were very strong teams from Central Illinois. Calpreps predicts it to be 28-21 Wilmington. I do think Wilmington wins but that it will be closer to Calpreps than 44-10.

 

[doctor_d]

Bold prediction. As a Wilmo fan, pretty sure I’d take Nashville +34 and happily eat crow if I’m wrong.

 

[Coalertown44]

2A State Final game: Wilmo and Nashville. After watching Wilmo beat CC in week 3 I thought they were a good team but not a state championship quality team. Well obviously I was very wrong. The Cats just got better and better as the year went on. And I agree with WilmaTucky. They would probably be in the finals at 3A. Everyone know Friddle was a very good back but the emergence of James in the backfield really put them over the edge. Defensively I still think they can be got by a good passing game but you are not running on the Cats. I don't see this as much of a game. WIlmo 38 Nashville 13

Was hoping to see St Teresa here for a more interesting game but this should still be entertaining. Good luck Wilmo. The 2A game is right when I reheat my Thanksgiving plate so I will be hunkered down rooting for the Cats

 

[Wilmatucky]

Bold prediction. As a Wilmo fan, pretty sure I’d take Nashville +34 and happily eat crow if I’m wrong.

So what is your prediction?

 

[Wilmatucky]

Maybe I was trolling a bit but I honestly see a 3 TD win. St. T scared me a bit.

 

[Alexander32]

So what is your prediction?

The Massey Ratings are predicting a final score of 35 to 20 in favor of Wilmington. According to Massey that translates into an 80% chance of winning the game. I've observed the Massey Ratings for quite a number of years and it is a highly sophisticated computer rating system.

 

[Formicidae13]

I’ve not seen too much of Nashville this year, but probably more than pretty much anybody on here(although that’s still not too much). Here are some of my takes.

-You better be able to stop the run. The Hornets rushing attack has been impressive each time I’ve seen it and they have tended to be run first.
-Stay alert, they aren’t afraid to roll the dice. Last week they went for an onsides down 7 with ~6:30 left and again with ~5:30 left down 1. They definitely didn’t need to be that aggressive, but they were. Important to note that they recovered both of them as well.

Pretty sure this matchup will require the most combined driving at around 8 hours to get to Dekalb between the two teams, hopefully there is still a solid fan showing for these deserving squads.

 

[crusader_of_90]

My buddy coaches Mater Dei and he was SUPER IMPRESSED with St. T, and for Nashville to beat them, it may mean something.

 

[doctor_d]

So what is your prediction?

Looks like Nashville will give up some points. Nashville might have the best offense of the teams Wilmo has gone up against.
I basically just think the game will be a little closer because I can’t believe we’d see a Wilmo title run where none of the games were in doubt in the 2nd half. If we do, trust me, I won’t complain.
35-21 Cats.

 

[dcaudle68]

Nashville going to open some eyes Friday. You don't beat 3 straight undefeated teams by accident. I hope Wilmington is in good shape, they are in for a track meet.

 

[doctor_d]

My buddy coaches Mater Dei and he was SUPER IMPRESSED with St. T, and for Nashville to beat them, it may mean something.

Head coach Jim Stiebel?

Nashville going to open some eyes Friday. You don't beat 3 straight undefeated teams by accident. I hope Wilmington is in good shape, they are in for a track meet.

It appears that both teams got off to somewhat slow starts, and really are rolling lately. Nashville already opened plenty of eyes with their win over St. T.

 

[crusader_of_90]

Head coach Jim Stiebel?

Yup - a teammate of mine.

 

[dcaudle68]

Yup - a teammate of mine.

Surprised this game is even taking place. Stiebel said after DST beat BMD it was the championship game....

 

[crusader_of_90]

Prep Football | Eduardo Garibay's game winning field goal sends Nashville to the state title game

Two touchdowns and two onside kick recoveries all in the final eight minutes help the Hornets defeat Decatur St. Teresa.

thesouthern.com

Mexican transfer, Eduardo Garibay’s 24-yard field goal with 3.9 seconds left completed a fantastic fourth quarter finish where Nashville came back from a 14-point deficit to beat Decatur St. Teresa, 37-35, in the IHSA 2A football semifinals Saturday afternoon at the Nashville High School football stadium.

(Cough Cough Eastside...)

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

Nashville going to open some eyes Friday. You don't beat 3 straight undefeated teams by accident. I hope Wilmington is in good shape, they are in for a track meet.

You don't get to a State Championship by accident. The luck was definitely on the side of Nashville last Saturday. What are the chances of 2 onside kicks in a row?

Wilmington has proven they are tough to stop and have taken care of business quite easily the past few weeks on both sides of the ball. From my understanding, most scores on their defense, with the exception of Mac, were late in games with subs in. Even Mac scored a late garbage TD as did TV last week.

Nashville has had some recent program success and have a high tempo offense that can score quickly. They moved the ball on St. T and made stops on D to give them a chance. St. T did miss some opportunities to close out the game late and their RB slipping on the 4th down gave Nashville a chance.

Without a doubt it will be a great game.

 

[doctor_d]

Wilmo faced a run first team in Newman, and two spread teams in Mac and TV. Handled all of them. Newman did nothing. Mac made it interesting for a half, and TV just missed a couple big plays early. So for the most part, Wilmo defense has been up to the challenge. Maybe they give up 21. Maybe one more garbage.
So as long as the O is still clicking, Wilmo should prevail. I expect Nashville to have a defense that is at least as good as Mac or TV, but if Wilmo is executing and staying ahead of the chains, I like their chances.

 

[Coalertown44]

Key to beating Wilmo is getting them in to 3rd and long situations and make them pass. It sounds easy but year in and year out the Cats prove its hard to do. If Nashville can get a lead and play ahead early, they have a chance. I just don't see it happening. Wilmo is on a roll. I think their D is vastly overlooked. TV had no shot out of the gates an I think Mac was lucky to get on the scoreboard. All that being said, its the State championship and nobody gets there on luck alone. I am hoping for an exciting game as I chow down on leftover turkey and stuffing with my kid lol

 

[doctor_d]

Key to beating Wilmo is getting them in to 3rd and long situations and make them pass. It sounds easy but year in and year out the Cats prove its hard to do. If Nashville can get a lead and play ahead early, they have a chance. I just don't see it happening. Wilmo is on a roll. I think their D is vastly overlooked. TV had no shot out of the gates an I think Mac was lucky to get on the scoreboard. All that being said, its the State championship and nobody gets there on luck alone. I am hoping for an exciting game as I chow down on leftover turkey and stuffing with my kid lol

I agree, I would say the defense is solid. They do a great job stopping the run. Pass D has been susceptible to a big play here and there, but if they are getting pressure on the QB, Nashville will have a lot of trouble.
On offense they’ve done a good job avoiding the illegal shift/motion penalties and staying out of 3rd and long.
If they keep that trend going, they are in real good shape.

 

[McEvergreen]

If Wilmington starts fast and gets on the board early, it could be a long day for Nashville. The Cats have proven that if they can grab the lead early and stay out of those 3rd and long passing situations, they will burn clock and beat you to death with their ground game. Nashville knocking off St. T is impressive, but knocking off 3 undefeated teams in a row to get here is even more impressive. The key for them will be forcing Wilmington to pass. I'm hoping for a great game, but Reents has his team peaking at the right time. I've got the Wildcats winning 40-14.

 

[dcaudle68]

Nobody is more prepared to game plan and stop the Wilmington Double wing than the Nashville coaching staff. The Wilmington coaching staff can't say the same about Nashville's offense.

 

[doctor_d]

Nobody is more prepared to game plan and stop the Wilmington Double wing than the Nashville coaching staff. The Wilmington coaching staff can't say the same about Nashville's offense.

Because Nashville used to run dub wing?

I just watched a little of Nashville vs Pana and also vs St. T. Wilmington has seen quite a few spread teams this year including their last two opponents. Nashville looks pretty good, but I don’t think the Wilmington coaches are gonna be unprepared. In fact, I think quite the opposite.

 

[McEvergreen]

Nobody is more prepared to game plan and stop the Wilmington Double wing than the Nashville coaching staff. The Wilmington coaching staff can't say the same about Nashville's offense.

You don't get up north much do you? Reents always has his team prepared and ready for anything and everything.

 

[dcaudle68]

You don't get up north much do you? Reents always has his team prepared and ready for anything and everything.

Should be fun, Nashville can run or pass. Wilmington can only run. They better hope the run works.

 

[Coalertown44]

Should be fun, Nashville can run or pass. Wilmington can only run. They better hope the run works.

And that is Wilmos Achilles heel. If they are forced to pass. I know their starter got hurt against CC and to my knowledge has not played again. The Soph QB has done a nice job but hasn't been asked to air it out

 

[Bobby Boucher 9]

Put 11 in the Box and your still not stopping the Wilmington Run game. Teams have tried all year. Oh and their defense is pretty stout too

 

[doctor_d]

Should be fun, Nashville can run or pass. Wilmington can only run. They better hope the run works.

If Nashville shuts down Wilmington on the ground, the Hornets will almost certainly win.

 

[dcaudle68]

Put 11 in the Box and your still not stopping the Wilmington Run game. Teams have tried all year. Oh and their defense is pretty stout too

Nashville has an advantage most don't. They will stop the run game of Wilmington.

 

[Wilmatucky]

Nashville has an advantage most don't. They will stop the run game of Wilmington.

What’s that?

 

[dcaudle68]

What’s that?

I will enlighten after the game if it’s not figured out before.

 

[JackHaanLaw]

I will enlighten after the game if it’s not figured out before.

It would be far more impressive to enlighten before the game and prove yourself an astute and knowledgeable predictor if you are correct

 

[dcaudle68]

It would be far more impressive to enlighten before the game and prove yourself an astute and knowledgeable predictor if you are correct

You're right it would be, but I'm not sure such information is supposed to be shared at this point.

 

[doctor_d]

Mr. Fairfield, IL is privy to the Nashville game plan….
I’m thinking they are gonna use tranquilizer darts. That’s the big secret. I can see why he wouldn’t wanna disclose that information with the legalities and such.

 

[dcaudle68]

Mr. Fairfield, IL is privy to the Nashville game plan….
I’m thinking they are gonna use tranquilizer darts. That’s the big secret. I can see why he wouldn’t wanna disclose that information with the legalities and such.

I can neither confirm nor deny other than I am really looking forward to this game.

 

[gobucsgo]

I think Byron or ICC would like to discuss how easily it would be to get into the 3A championship game.

 

[doctor_d]

I can neither confirm nor deny other than I am really looking forward to this game.

I think it’s going to be a good game. Some of these others are predicting a runaway, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen.

 

[dcaudle68]

I think it’s going to be a good game. Some of these others are predicting a runaway, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen.

I don't think so either. I hate when there is a big buildup and it turns into a blowout one way or the other. I think the first 3 games Friday will be good games.

 

[Wilmatucky]

It’s either a player returning or a scheme. Maybe a schtik like new uniforms. Not much you can throw In at state that’s isn’t illegal.

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

Who would have thought we would have an ICE team playing in the State Championship!

Wilmington has proven to be a very tough and physical team and is rolling as of late. 6 straight 40+ point games and they have only attempted 1 pass (maybe 2) in that stretch. Who says the Double Wing can't put up points. On top of that, the defense has stifled the high scoring Catholic schools in Newman and Bishop Mac, and the HOIC powerhouse of Tri Valley.

But here come the Hornets who claim to have the "secret sauce" in stopping the Double Wing. Only one person knows the secret but 13 other teams have tried and have not been successful. Maybe it's a 12th man, who knows. However, the Hornets have the ability to score quickly and have a size advantage. Tht QB is a great athlete, they have solid WRs, and run a fast tempo that may cause fits for the Wildcats.

Regardless of my prediction, both teams are worthy of winning. Nashville made plenty of people happy by beating St. T, and Wilmington defeated Newman and Mac, so all fans can rejoice in 1A, 2A, and 3A are public championships.

Cats bring home the title in a close and physical game. Cats 41 Hornets 28

 

[doctor_d]

I will enlighten after the game if it’s not figured out before.

They believe they have perfected the art of the onside kick.