Most Surprising Semi Final Team based off of Preseason expectations?
- Thread starter mc140
- Start date
I’ll second DePaul. I know they’ve been on a major upswing but I’m not sure I envisioned Semi’s . Go Rams!!
This. Soucie picked CC to finish 6th in their own conference.
DePaul's athletics program in general has been really impressive for a school that's been around for just 10 years. Just recently, boys basketball won state in 3A last year after winning 2A the year before. Baseball made it to the final 8. Their boys soccer made the final 8 this year. And now the football team has a real chance to win state.
I don't know what exactly they are doing, but it is impressive.
I don't know what exactly they are doing, but it is impressive.
Baseball, Soccer, and football will all be bumped up a class (or 2) next year or the year after. Take advantage of the advantage while you can.
Next year is a new 2 year cycle for football so they will need to win at least 2 playoff games in '25 and '26 to be multiplied in '27.
Though they may move up next year due to updated enrollment numbers.
Testament to how instant a good coach can change things around
I’m talking enrollment. They’re playing below their enrollment in football currently. Soccer and Baseball are only 3 classes so they should still be in 2a going forward.
Edgy's Preseason class rankings 8a - 4a: Conclusion, Edgy mentioned everyone outside of LWC and Uhigh.
8a
Loyola 1
LWE 2
York 5
Nap Cent 6
7a
MC 1
Batavia 3
Rita 8
LWC (Unranked)
6a
Cary Grove 1
ESL 2
Geneva 5
Richards (others)
5a
Naz 1
St. Francis 2
JCA 3
Morris (4 in 4a)
4a
Mt. Zion 3
Depaul 10
Coal City (Others)
Normal U High (Unranked)
8a
Loyola 1
LWE 2
York 5
Nap Cent 6
7a
MC 1
Batavia 3
Rita 8
LWC (Unranked)
6a
Cary Grove 1
ESL 2
Geneva 5
Richards (others)
5a
Naz 1
St. Francis 2
JCA 3
Morris (4 in 4a)
4a
Mt. Zion 3
Depaul 10
Coal City (Others)
Normal U High (Unranked)
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Next week would be a better time to bring this up, but I see it. Very good chance no one repeats.
Boys XC won state two years ago, girls were runner up this year, baseball was semifinals two years ago, and girls volleyball was downstate this weekend. We are in our fourth year as a DePaul family and the steady improvement in all facets over the years has been very nice to see.
Although I think they benefited from an easier road on the upper side of the 7A bracket I have to say LWC. And it's no fault of theirs where they were seeded in the bracket so very impressed they made the Semifinals. I think they will give Batavia a good game .
Been saying that for years. When it happens in a private school, however, the public school apologists usually play the recruiting card, as if private school success can't possibly occur for any other reason.
Just when I was going to say how much I can appreciate runs like DePaul and CC are having and you have to go and ruin it with posts like this. Once in a decade success. Both are fantastic stories.
I was with my brother in law, a University High alum, last night and he was very surprised. He said it's their first ever semis appearance. And per above looks like they were unranked.
They might be the best answer.
Congrats on the first ever trip to the semis Pioneers!
They might be the best answer.
Congrats on the first ever trip to the semis Pioneers!
I honestly think both 7A semifinal games will be tight. Kudos to Batavia for their comeback win against a tough LWW team and this tough win against a team that was one of the favorites to win 7A.
Lots of talent in the area between U High, the Normals, and Bloomingtons. 5 playoff qualifiers.
Must be something in the water. Or the Avanti’s gondola sandwiches.
Normal U-High has a legitimate chance of going to their home field for a state title game.
Does DePaul Prep not recognize the Gordon Tech titles? They won 6A in football in 1980.
