Thoughts on Southern 4A Bracket

[MalleusMaleficarum]

Just a few preliminary thoughts on the Southern 4A Bracket:

I. Geneseo (as a 16th seed) has the best chance to beat a #1 seed (Carterville) out of all the 12 Brackets in Classes 1A-6A. They have played the tougher schedule by far and although 5-4 and scoring a mediocre 236 points, they have only given up a respectable 189.

2. Following on from 1. above, I don't think Carterville is a very strong #1 seed, especially when you compare them with the #1 seed the Northern Bracket has to deal with, i.e., Richmond Burton. I think this bodes very well for Rochester moving forward.

3. Very difficult to see anything preventing another SHG-Rochester semifinal. As stated several times before, the number of away games will be important for each in determining home field for the semi.

 

[dcaudle68]

Not sure what the rationale is for everyone thinking Carterville is weak. Best team since there state championship season. Defense wins championships and the Lions have one of the best. Geneseo will not be close.

 

[MalleusMaleficarum]

Not sure what the rationale is for everyone thinking Carterville is weak. Best team since there state championship season. Defense wins championships and the Lions have one of the best. Geneseo will not be close.

One of the best compared to whom? I looked through their record again and saw some game film. They had a couple of good wins, but nothing jumps out and shouts: "Man, what a defense". And remember, they are doing this against southern Illinois teams, not especially known for setting the high school football world on fire.

Regarding Geneseo, what do you consider "not being close"? I never stated they would win, but it appears we are worlds apart regarding how we think they will perform in this game. I do note that the bus ride they have to make will do them absolutely no favors, but that is what you often get going 5 and 4 in the regular season.

 

[dcaudle68]

One of the best compared to whom? I looked through their record again and saw some game film. They had a couple of good wins, but nothing jumps out and shouts: "Man, what a defense". And remember, they are doing this against southern Illinois teams, not especially known for setting the high school football world on fire.

Regarding Geneseo, what do you consider "not being close"? I never stated they would win, but it appears we are worlds apart regarding how we think they will perform in this game. I do note that the bus ride they have to make will do them absolutely no favors, but that is what you often get going 5 and 4 in the regular season.

Long ride to a place that is hard to win at. Loud fans and an annoying cannon every time Carterville scores. Carterville has a really good team this year. Loaded senior class. Good enough to beat Rochester? I doubt it but they can handle the Geneseo's of 4A and make the final 8 the way the bracket's shook out.

 

[Coalertown44]

That is a very long road trip for the Maple Leafs. I know they lost to some good bigger schools but have only beaten one team with a winning record. Caterville is no stranger to the playoffs and has beaten 3A and 4A playoff teams this year and beaten them pretty soundly. I love the football atmosphere at Geneseo but I don't see them getting this win but it wouldn't completely shock me

Coal City getting a round 1 home playoff game is a welcomed surprise after watching them against Morris week 1 I was worried they wouldn't win even make the playoffs. They have improved each week and I am excited to see what they can do against Wood River East Alton who has a long trip up to CC. Watching them, they seem to have a good defense and a solid running game. Other than that I don't know what to expect

 

[dcaudle68]

That is a very long road trip for the Maple Leafs. I know they lost to some good bigger schools but have only beaten one team with a winning record. Caterville is no stranger to the playoffs and has beaten 3A and 4A playoff teams this year and beaten them pretty soundly. I love the football atmosphere at Geneseo but I don't see them getting this win but it wouldn't completely shock me

Coal City getting a round 1 home playoff game is a welcomed surprise after watching them against Morris week 1 I was worried they wouldn't win even make the playoffs. They have improved each week and I am excited to see what they can do against Wood River East Alton who has a long trip up to CC. Watching them, they seem to have a good defense and a solid running game. Other than that I don't know what to expect

I don't think you will have any trouble with Wood River.

 

[The_Oldfan]

Not sure what the rationale is for everyone thinking Carterville is weak.

I haven't seen much discussion about Carterville or most of the rest.of 4A. Most of the discussion has dwelt on the northern bracket and SHG/Rochester in the South. But there are plenty of reasons for skepticism. Deep Southern Illinous, below the Metro East, has produced Champions in the smallest classes. Carterville itself has a nice record of getting into the playoffs primarily in classes 2A and 3A but a Look back over their records shows few penetrations beyond the 2nd game. In the middle classes (4A-5A) SI football shows far less success . SI ball produced few entrants into these classes and those that were in showed little success, the classes being dominated by Northern and central powers. Meanwhile. Carterville enrollment has pushed them up to 4A where at least nine of th I s years entries have made it to the Championship game, some numerous times.

I expect Carterville to Get by Geneseo but it will be a tough game ( Though not as tough as wheaten Academy having to face 5-4 New Lenox Providence).

 

[dcaudle68]

I haven't seen much discussion about Carterville or most of the rest.of 4A. Most of the discussion has dwelt on the northern bracket and SHG/Rochester in the South. But there are plenty of reasons for skepticism. Deep Southern Illinous, below the Metro East, has produced Champions in the smallest classes. Carterville itself has a nice record of getting into the playoffs primarily in classes 2A and 3A but a Look back over their records shows few penetrations beyond the 2nd game. In the middle classes (4A-5A) SI football shows far less success . SI ball produced few entrants into these classes and those that were in showed little success, the classes being dominated by Northern and central powers. Meanwhile. Carterville enrollment has pushed them up to 4A where at least nine of th I s years entries have made it to the Championship game, some numerous times.

I expect Carterville to Get by Geneseo but it will be a tough game ( Though not as tough as wheaten Academy having to face 5-4 New Lenox Providence).

Murphysboro went to the 4A title game back in 2019. Yes Rochester was in 5A that year but they still made it. Same conference as Carterville.

That said, I appreciate the discussion. Not much talk on 4A and even IHSS doesn't get much 4A action anymore.

 

[GhostOfTheGhhost]

I've got a thought... Will those environmental protestors that throw soup and mashed potatoes on paintings show up at the East Alton Oilers vs the Coal City Coalers game this weekend and throw oatmeal on the scoreboard?

 

[Coalertown44]

I've got a thought... Will those environmental protestors that throw soup and mashed potatoes on paintings show up at the East Alton Oilers vs the Coal City Coalers game this weekend and throw oatmeal on the scoreboard?

Haha I see what you did there

 

[cigaros]

Just a few preliminary thoughts on the Southern 4A Bracket:

I. Geneseo (as a 16th seed) has the best chance to beat a #1 seed (Carterville) out of all the 12 Brackets in Classes 1A-6A. They have played the tougher schedule by far and although 5-4 and scoring a mediocre 236 points, they have only given up a respectable 189.

2. Following on from 1. above, I don't think Carterville is a very strong #1 seed, especially when you compare them with the #1 seed the Northern Bracket has to deal with, i.e., Richmond Burton. I think this bodes very well for Rochester moving forward.

3. Very difficult to see anything preventing another SHG-Rochester semifinal. As stated several times before, the number of away games will be important for each in determining home field for the semi.

Well predicted! Carterville was an incredibly weak #1 seed

 

[MalleusMaleficarum]

Well predicted! Carterville was an incredibly weak #1 seed

I don't know about "incredibly" weak, but there was no way they were getting by Rochester, home field advantage or not. The Rockets took care of business early down there. That was a much better out-of-the-gate performance by them than SHG's performance against a weaker (than Carterville) Waterloo squad!

 

[rocketnation]

I don't know about "incredibly" weak, but there was no way they were getting by Rochester, home field advantage or not. The Rockets took care of business early down there. That was a much better out-of-the-gate performance by them than SHG's performance against a weaker (than Carterville) Waterloo squad!

Despite holding their first two playoff opponents to only 7 points, their defense was not able to stop Rochester. Both the run and pass worked consistently. However, the Carterville offensive line was very impressive, and they had an excellent RB. The fast start by Rochester was critical.

 

[doctor_d]

Was there a neutral observer anywhere that predicted anything other than the final Leonard Bowl? SHG and Rochester are obviously outstanding, but after that, the depth in the bracket just isn't there.

 

[cigaros]

Not sure what the rationale is for everyone thinking Carterville is weak. Best team since their state championship season. Defense wins championships and the Lions have one of the best. Geneseo will not be close.

You were incredibly accurate about Geneseo versus carterville. I agreed with your assessment there. However, Carterville showed this past Saturday how weak of a number one they were. The 41-28 final was not indicative of how bad it could’ve been.

Was there a neutral observer anywhere that predicted anything other than the final Leonard Bowl? SHG and Rochester are obviously outstanding, but after that, the depth in the bracket just isn't there.

and this is why seeding 1-32 as the intended back in the spring was a great idea.

 

[dcaudle68]

You were incredibly accurate about Geneseo versus carterville. I agreed with your assessment there. However, Carterville showed this past Saturday how weak of a number one they were. The 41-28 final was not indicative of how bad it could’ve been.

and this is why seeding 1-32 as the intended back in the spring was a great idea.

I disagree with them being a weak number 1 seed. Rochester beats 25 or more of the 4A class just as bad.

 

[cigaros]

I disagree with them being a weak number 1 seed. Rochester beats 25 or more of the 4A class just as bad.

That game was over at halftime.