What did we learn week 3!?!?!?!

[LakeCtyNewt]

I’ll admit, I am not a believer in Friday the 13th curses and all that. After this last Friday, I may have to change my stance.

1 - That Libertyville deserves our attention.
2 - That ok Lake Forest, we see you.
3 - That the gap between LWE, ESL and everyone else is growing.
4 - That Sandburg, once a year does that Sandburg thing…….
5 - That DG North is scary
6 - That Mt Carmel’s offense is elite. The defense?
7 - That Althoff is making small schools great again.
8 - That Fremd football looks to be back.
9 - That weirdness extended to small schools - the NUIC Friday - weird.
10 - That Providence could be in real danger of missing the playoffs.

Stay well

 

[pjjp]

10 - That Providence could be in real danger of missing the playoffs.

I think they will be 3-5 entering Week 9, needing a win at home against JCA to get to 4 wins.

 

[crazylegs777]

That it seemed like yesterday we didn’t think the start of the regular season would ever get here & it’s already 1/3rd over

 

[johnndoe]

On the Sandburg point, their mere 10-point loss at Rita Week 1 gains some extra attention. We will see this Friday when the Eagles go down to untested 3-0 LW West. Who actually is H-F also has bearing on the Sandburg resume so far.

 

[MMA_Det]

Main South needs to make some adjustments

Lincolnway Central is on the upswing

 

[crazylegs777]

Christ The King is 3-0 & I hope make their 1st ever playoff appearance

 

[McEvergreen]

That ESL is the best team in the state.
That Loyola is not just fine.
That whatever is going on at Warren and Maine South needs to be fixed.
That defending state champs Byron and Wilmington continue to steamroll whoever steps on the field with them.
That the Neuqua Valley football program continues to disappoint. They have the talent. Could it be the water?

 

[Secondo1]

That defense still counts (see JCA)

 

[Wittymoniker1]

On the Sandburg point, their mere 10-point loss at Rita Week 1 gains some extra attention. We will see this Friday when the Eagles go down to untested 3-0 LW West. Who actually is H-F also has bearing on the Sandburg resume so far.

That defense still counts (see JCA)

. . . for sure.

 

[McCaravan]

I know I look at MC through rose colored glasses but in defense of the defense, their secondary was exposed vs Hun and Naz but Hun was Hun, and Naz QB is a 4 year starter with 2 State Rings so nobody expected a shut out. They shut out Rita. So if you have an elite QB your going to score against MC, you just have to have a good defense too because you’re going to go punch for punch with them for 4 quarters

 

[Kevin JCHS 81]

I’ll admit, I am not a believer in Friday the 13th curses and all that. After this last Friday, I may have to change my stance.

Friday the 13th is more of a lucky day for me (odd, I know) and JCA would essentially be fighting for their playoff lives. So, I started watching on JCA YouTube and invited my daughter's black cat up on the table with me, trying to give the Hillmen all the luck I could muster. The cat laid on my laptop for almost the entire game.

Well, it worked.

 

[Kevin JCHS 81]

Friday the 13th is more of a lucky day for me (odd, I know) and JCA would essentially be fighting for their playoff lives. So, I started watching on JCA YouTube and invited my daughter's black cat up on the table with me, trying to give the Hillmen all the luck I could muster. The cat laid on my laptop for almost the entire game.

Well, it worked.

Sorry Newt if I'm kind of derailing your post.

But having a Black Cat laying on my keyboard made it impossible to post during the game, which is probably a good thing, I was a little hard on the Hilltoppers last week. Even to the the point where a fellow JCA poster told me "get a grip".

I suppose that's the price for conjuring up some luck for the Hillmen. Back to your regular scheduled thread.

 

[caravan8]

I know I look at MC through rose colored glasses but in defense of the defense, their secondary was exposed vs Hun and Naz but in their defense Hun was Hun, and Naz QB is a 4 year starter with 2 State Rings so nobody expected a shut out. They shut out Rita. So if you have an elite QB your going to score against MC, you just have to have a good defense too because you’re going to go punch for punch with them for 4 quarters

I don’t think anyone expected shut outs, and you’re correct that both teams had very good QB’s. My concern is that the QB’s weren’t fitting throws into small windows or threading any needles. They were big throws to wide open receivers way behind the secondary. If the defense can clean up the secondary play, I like their chances.

 

[LakeCtyNewt]

Sorry Newt if I'm kind of derailing your post.

But having a Black Cat laying on my keyboard made it impossible to post during the game, which is probably a good thing, I was a little hard on the Hilltoppers last week. Even to the the point where a fellow JCA poster told me "get a grip".

I suppose that's the price for conjuring up some luck for the Hillmen. Back to your regular scheduled thread.

All good. Appreciate the Friday the 13th reference - I tried not to get corny but couldn’t help myself.

 

[PowerI66]

I know I look at MC through rose colored glasses but in defense of the defense, their secondary was exposed vs Hun and Naz but in their defense Hun was Hun, and Naz QB is a 4 year starter with 2 State Rings so nobody expected a shut out. They shut out Rita. So if you have an elite QB your going to score against MC, you just have to have a good defense too because you’re going to go punch for punch with them for 4 quarters

High expectation problems are good problems to have

 

[Silver Rain]

wide open receivers

Yes. Should be easy to fix. Concerning that it hasn't been.

 

[AlabamaTimberwolf]

That ESL is the best team in the state.
That Loyola is not just fine.
That whatever is going on at Warren and Maine South needs to be fixed.
That defending state champs Byron and Wilmington continue to steamroll whoever steps on the field with them.
That the Neuqua Valley football program continues to disappoint. They have the talent. Could it be the water?

Until ESL meets Cary Grove lol

 

[MMA_Det]

Until ESL meets Cary Grove lol

My theory has always been that ESL schedule wears them down come playoff time.
The level that they play against is incredibly high and with that comes banged up players… especially in November

 

[4Afan]

My theory has always been that ESL schedule wears them down come playoff time.
The level that they play against is incredibly high and with that comes banged up players… especially in November

Wholeheartedly disagree. These are 15-18 year old kids, they're not worn down. Were they worn down when they beat up on PR a few years ago?

The option offense is an annoying offense to defend and no one does it better than CG. It has nothing to do with ESL being worn down.

 

[MMA_Det]

Wholeheartedly disagree. These are 15-18 year old kids, they're not worn down. Were they worn down when they beat up on PR a few years ago?

The option offense is an annoying offense to defend and no one does it better than CG. It has nothing to do with ESL being worn down.

I will say that you would know better than I would

I just look at some of the easier teams on a schedule as a game to rest some of the starters that get banged up throughout the season.

ESL schedule is the absolute toughest in the state.
Pops looked burned out in the game and was replaced by a freshman last year against CG

 

[MMA_Det]

We also learned that you can watch St Rita on a stream… as long as it is an away game

 

[4Afan]

I will say that you would know better than I would

I just look at some of the easier teams on a schedule as a game to rest some of the starters that get banged up throughout the season.

ESL schedule is the absolute toughest in the state.
Pops looked burned out in the game and was replaced by a freshman last year against CG

I may be mistaken, but I think Pops was replaced because he got hurt.

 

[PhilsBurner]

On the Sandburg point, their mere 10-point loss at Rita Week 1 gains some extra attention. We will see this Friday when the Eagles go down to untested 3-0 LW West. Who actually is H-F also has bearing on the Sandburg resume so far.

Yes 10 point loss doesn’t tell the whole story. Was 27-3 with 4 minutes left in the game. Rita took their starters out and they scored and went for two and got the onside. Then did the same thing. Rita put the 1’s back in and finished the game.

if Sandburg put their qb in space to make plays the entire game I think it would have been a lot closer. Sandburg thought with their size upfront they would have success running the ball. That wasn’t the case.

If they get past LWW, 8-1 is definitely a possibility. A though I think they split with the Naperville schools and finish 7-2

 

[King MJ]

Some 9-0 or 8-1 team is going to get screwed by having to play Loyola in the first round of playoffs

 

[McEvergreen]

Some 9-0 or 8-1 team is going to get screwed by having to play Loyola in the first round of playoffs

Too bad. Strength of schedule matters.

 

[TigerforFlyers]

Until ESL meets Cary Grove lol

Right! Given the history, ESL doesn’t stand a chance against CG!! In fact, I’ve wondered why CG is never included in the traditional conversation of Best Team in the State?

 

[chakazulu89]

That defense still counts (see JCA)

See Rita as well

 

[missingwalter]

Some 9-0 or 8-1 team is going to get screwed by having to play Loyola in the first round of playoffs

I’ve seent it. (Although it was 2nd round)

 

[Wittymoniker1]

I know I look at MC through rose colored glasses but in defense of the defense, their secondary was exposed vs Hun and Naz but in their defense Hun was Hun, and Naz QB is a 4 year starter with 2 State Rings so nobody expected a shut out. They shut out Rita. So if you have an elite QB your going to score against MC, you just have to have a good defense too because you’re going to go punch for punch with them for 4 quarters

Yes 10 point loss doesn’t tell the whole story. Was 27-3 with 4 minutes left in the game. Rita took their starters out and they scored and went for two and got the onside. Then did the same thing. Rita put the 1’s back in and finished the game.

if Sandburg put their qb in space to make plays the entire game I think it would have been a lot closer. Sandburg thought with their size upfront they would have success running the ball. That wasn’t the case.

If they get past LWW, 8-1 is definitely a possibility. A though I think they split with the Naperville schools and finish 7-2

I think McCaravan was onto something when he typed Rita's front seven is solid. Both Sandburg and BR boast big O-lines (and I get "big" doesn't always mean good), but that front seven did quite well. Good blend of underclassmen, seniors, quick and big. Facing Sandburg-MC-BR, I believe is a very good prep for the remainder of the season.

 

[Wittymoniker1]

Some 9-0 or 8-1 team is going to get screwed by having to play Loyola in the first round of playoffs

(6-3) Wilmette Loyola at (8-1) Chicago Lane Tech?

 

[colin2229]

I will say that you would know better than I would

I just look at some of the easier teams on a schedule as a game to rest some of the starters that get banged up throughout the season.

ESL schedule is the absolute toughest in the state.
Pops looked burned out in the game and was replaced by a freshman last year against CG

I’d say playing in the Catholic Blue and then 7a/8a playoffs is a tougher schedule over 14 weeks than ESL.

 

[colin2229]

We learned that Maine East is not invincible 😉

Sarcasm aside - Major props to their program thus far this season! 👏 👏

 

[UlbKA91]

Speaking of ESL, a higher round 5A playoff game could resemble yesterdays Giants Redskins game. Giants forced into AGNB mode when they lost their kicker in the 1st Q and the Redskins had 7 FGs to win 21-18.

 

[crazylegs777]

Too bad. Strength of schedule matters.

4-5 Naz last year

 

[McEvergreen]

4-5 Naz last year

Yup! Prairie Ridge had the 9-0 + home field, but didn't pass the test. Good game though 👍

 

[AlabamaTimberwolf]

Right! Given the history, ESL doesn’t stand a chance against CG!! In fact, I’ve wondered why CG is never included in the traditional conversation of Best Team in the State?

I have a question for ya. How is it your conference lets you fly around playing ranked teams throughout the United States yet they wont let you play up 2 classifications??? How is that even friggin possible. I would think the conference wouldn't let y'all play out of state or something assine like that. I personally think its Chicago Mt Carmel but that's just my and a few catholic Caravan brothers belief.

 

[LHSTigers94]

I have a question for ya. How is it your conference lets you fly around playing ranked teams throughout the United States yet they wont let you play up 2 classifications??? How is that even friggin possible. I would think the conference wouldn't let y'all play out of state or something assine like that. I personally think its Chicago Mt Carmel but that's just my and a few catholic Caravan brothers belief.

The petitioning up rule was to eliminate playing conference opponents in the playoffs.

 

[dcaudle68]

I have a question for ya. How is it your conference lets you fly around playing ranked teams throughout the United States yet they wont let you play up 2 classifications??? How is that even friggin possible. I would think the conference wouldn't let y'all play out of state or something assine like that. I personally think its Chicago Mt Carmel but that's just my and a few catholic Caravan brothers belief.

All the conference cares about is ESTL not beating there weaker schools come playoff time. Most of them are 7 and 8A.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Can we have a banner on the front page saying the conference won't let ESL play 2 classes up!

 

[godfthr53]

The petitioning up rule was to eliminate playing conference opponents in the playoffs.

The conference only has 8A playoff teams. Why wouldn't ESL petition up to 7A then. Hmmmmm....