Sterling is the underdog, but with this group of Golden Warriors at home, anything is possible and I predict an upset.
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Bad karma and not normally experiencing this level of success. I have coached for over 20 years, one thing I preach is Act Like You’ve Been there Before.The 5a title game is on the 25th, as you all know. To call this semi final game the title game is discrediting to washington and dunlap. I am disappointed in the sterling fans who come across as arrogant on here. Respect everyone, fear no one. Thankfully the Sterling players and coaches don't overlook any opponent.
Bad karma and not normally experiencing this level of success. I have coached for over 20 years, one thing I preach is Act Like You’ve Been there Before.
I would like to hear your take and what you know about the two teams to come up with this conclusion?Phillips by a wide margin. I'll say three scores.
It will come to down to if Sterling can pass at all against Phillips. If that can't, they won't win. They can't run on them as Phillips will have 9 in the box. They have 2 cover guys who Sterling will have to beat. Lemont couldn't do it even though the announcers kept insisting they could be passed on. Lemont finished with 43 yards passing and 4 interceptions. Lemont is a better passing team than Sterling. That's about all that needs to be said.
Phillips will run away with this game
Phillips did not impress me at all against Lemont. Never thought I would say this, I'm rooting for them this weekI would like to hear your take and what you know about the two teams to come up with this conclusion?
I would like to hear your take and what you know about the two teams to come up with this conclusion?
I have a feeling it's Phillips game to be had. Their defense is nothing anyone can simulate in 5A. Their offense is tough and even when the offense plays bad they win. I just think they will frustrate Sterlings offense Stop the running game and cause some turnovers.
It is tough to beat a team that is bigger, stronger and faster than you. It can be done, Johnsburg did it last year, I was there. But you need help, penalties, turnovers, etc..
Holding a team to 5 first downs and 66 total yards is not impressive? Lemont's scoring drive was negative 1 yards!Phillips did not impress me at all against Lemont. Never thought I would say this, I'm rooting for them this week
Didn't they score a TD that was called back due to "aiding the runner?"Holding a team to 5 first downs and 66 total yards is not impressive? Lemont's scoring drive was negative 1 yards!
Didn't they score a TD that was called back due to "aiding the runner?"
From the film I've seen on this years Phillips team, the reason you can't simulate it is the speed that they posses! The defense itself is simple. This is what I believe you will see Phillips will run for a defense. When Sterling runs their QB with a single back in the backfield formation they will put a hat on hat with no cushion with everyone of the Sterling players. There will be a man in the gap where the back is lined up in the backfield with a safety, 15 to 20 yards back! The film I saw was the one against Chicago Simion. They litterly play man to man with everybody on the field and dare you to try to out run them. They are that athletic across the board! REAL SPEED, not the acclaimed type! In my opinion this is what happens when you have a handful of players with true D1 speed playing on a high school team. All the coaching staff has to do is keep them focused and disciplined, basically limit the penalties! I believe you will see more of this with CPL players transferring to a successful CPL team to get recognized and possibly win a state championship! Is Chicago Raby the next One?I have a feeling it's Phillips game to be had. Their defense is nothing anyone can simulate in 5A. Their offense is tough and even when the offense plays bad they win. I just think they will frustrate Sterlings offense Stop the running game and cause some turnovers.
I thought that wasn't a penalty anymore. Or is that just the NFL and college?yes and it was very obvious. 2 or three guys were pushing from behind.
Here is where I see the problem. I don't know if you remember the state championship against Rochester a few years ago but they did the exact same thing defensively and Rochester ate them up running hitches and slants. If Sterling can play their quick game the same way Rochester did then they will give Phillips trouble IF they choose to stay in man coverage. Against Althoff in the championship they did not go man and played some sort of cover 2 and were much better equipped than they were against Rochester. Against a good scheming offensive coordinator who has a lot of good route combos and a good qb who can get rid of it quick Phillips will have problems.From the film I've seen on this years Phillips team, the reason you can't simulate it is the speed that they posses! The defense itself is simple. This is what I believe you will see Phillips will run for a defense. When Sterling runs their QB with a single back in the backfield formation they will put a hat on hat with no cushion with everyone of the Sterling players. There will be a man in the gap where the back is lined up in the backfield with a safety, 15 to 20 yards back! The film I saw was the one against Chicago Simion. They litterly play man to man with everybody on the field and dare you to try to out run them. They are that athletic across the board! REAL SPEED, not the acclaimed type! In my opinion this is what happens when you have a handful of players with true D1 speed playing on a high school team. All the coaching staff has to do is keep them focused and disciplined, basically limit the penalties! I believe you will see more of this with CPL players transferring to a successful CPL team to get recognized and possibly win a state championship! Is Chicago Raby the next One?
I was at the Phillips / Johnsburg game last year. In my opinion this years Phillips team is, over all, faster than the last 2 years. If they go cover 2, with that speed, they will be jumping any quick slant or out Sterling will throw at them. Sterling will have to get a running game going on them. They will have to run straight at them and hope to create some holes to pickup 3 to 4 at a crack. Tough to do, Lemont couldn't do it. If they can get the run going then they might be able to open up some play action with some tightend dump patterns.Here is where I see the problem. I don't know if you remember the state championship against Rochester a few years ago but they did the exact same thing defensively and Rochester ate them up running hitches and slants. If Sterling can play their quick game the same way Rochester did then they will give Phillips trouble IF they choose to stay in man coverage. Against Althoff in the championship they did not go man and played some sort of cover 2 and were much better equipped than they were against Rochester. Against a good scheming offensive coordinator who has a lot of good route combos and a good qb who can get rid of it quick Phillips will have problems.
Have any of you even seen any Sterling film? Sterling has a lot more weapons than just Nyrel Sullivan. I hope Phillips puts 9 in the box like someone else said earlier in this thread.
It's gonna be a good game either way.
I don't think people realize just how good Sterlings defense is, I'm sure Phillips D is the same if not better but give credit where credit is due, I believe Sterling will shut them down, if they only scored 15 on Lemont I think Sterling will give up the same or less, so the question is can they move the ball on offense enough to score one or two times.
dcaudle - you clearly have a firm grasp on the strengths and weaknesses on many teams in illinois. i have read your comments here and on other sites and they are often spot on. i'm curious if you have seen sterling in person or on video this year. and if you have, which game(s) did you see?
Sterling will not be able to run the ball. Their only chance is with the pass. Phillips front 7 are unreal.Just because Lemont could not run the ball doesn't mean Sterling can't, The O line has a lot to do with that, Sterling has a good O line, and a great back, Their run game was slowed down by MCC but they still moved the ball, if they can't run and they start bringing 9 they can pass too, both teams seem to have similar styles with Phillips having a bit more speed, I think both teams are gonna get shut down, The one worry I have and one weakness I've seen for Sterling is getting burnt on the long ball. This is going to be a great game, as a Sterling fan I give the edge to Phillips but with it being at Roscoe Eads stadium, and the magic it brings It's anyone's game!!