What was your favorite game and why from the 2022 IHSA football season?

[EdgyTim]

I saw a lot of games last season....but talking today with SHG new HC John Allison.....it's pretty hard to go against the Cyclones come from behind Class 4A Semifinal win over Rochester in the final Leonard Bowl game.

What was your favorite IHSA Football game in 2022?

 

[cbutt7474]

Morris Vs Mahomet! After Mahomet-Seymour planted the flag midfield before the game, it was game over for them. One of the most electrifying games I have ever seen.

 

[rocketnation]

I would have to classify the semifinal as something different than my favorite but congrats to the Cyclones on an amazing comeback.

My favorite was the Rockets 27-14 Week 5 win over Chatham. A predicted light to moderate rain turned into a downpour for most of the game. The weather changed the predicted pass heavy shootout into a grind it out contest. Chatham came into it averaging scoring more than 50. Rochester won behind a great effort from the Offensive Line and power running in the mud by 250 pound QB Keeton Reiss and 220 pound RB Ian Lichtenberger.

 

[McCaravan]

#1 MC over #2 LA was easily my favorite game of the year. 80 degree sunny Saturday in late October lived up to its hype in this back and forth battle that went down to the final second. One of the best MC wins I’ve seen in my many years watching the Caravan.

Runner up was the semifinal game of MC/SR. Unlike the LA game this game was in February like Artic temps. After MC’s blowout win over SR in week one this game was more what fans of the two schools expected and preferred to see. Despite the score not showing it, SR dominated most of the game, but couldn’t get the ball in on 3 trips deep in the red zone. A SR INT from the Endzone seemed to seal MC’s fate and season, but a strip of the ball and recovery of the fumble injected life back into MC and they didn’t look back. In my eyes that game was the State Championship of the two best teams in 7A last season.

 

[cornerrat]

All.... The SHG/Rochester games are always interesting but for me it has been and will always be Chatham. There is nothing more enjoyable then smacking around the Redskins/Titans (been attending them for over two decades) especially when the Cyclones are on the road and play them at the "palace". SHG's overall record is quite high against them. Ratsy P.S. Sorry Coach S.

 

[crusader_of_90]

East Side holding its own against the #2 ranked team in America at that time.

 

[Formicidae13]

SHG @ Waterloo was what high school playoffs are all about.

The all-year #1 Cyclones pulled into the cornfields to take on a Waterloo squad fresh off their first playoff win of the 21st century. To the surprise of everyone, probably even Waterloo faithful, the Bulldogs defense and kicking led them to a 9-0 lead early in the third.
That’s when the real drama started. SHG finally broke through on the scoreboard with a kick return, but Waterloo responded with a lengthy touchdown run of their own to end the third up 16-7.
The Cyclones took over with a 21-0 fourth quarter, so this one goes into the all-time almost upset list. But still, this was a great chapter in SHG’s entertaining title run.

 

[chakazulu89]

#1 MC over #2 LA was easily my favorite game of the year. 80 degree sunny Saturday in late October lived up to its hype in this back and forth battle that went down to the final second. One of the best MC wins I’ve seen in my many years watching the Caravan.

Runner up was the semifinal game of MC/SR. Unlike the LA game this game was in February like Artic temps. After MC’s blowout win over SR in week one this game was more what fans of the two schools expected and preferred to see. Despite the score not showing it, SR dominated most of the game, but couldn’t get the ball in on 3 trips deep in the red zone. A SR INT from the Endzone seemed to seal MC’s fate and season, but a strip of the ball and recovery of the fumble injected life back into MC and they didn’t look back. In my eyes that game was the State Championship of the two best teams in 7A last season.

LOL. I'm still having nightmares of your runner up game. LOL

 

[McCaravan]

LOL. I'm still having nightmares of your runner up game. LOL

I’m sorry my man!!

 

[crusader_of_90]

The all-year #1 Cyclones pulled into the cornfields to take on a Waterloo squad

Some might say, they pulled it out in the cornfield ...

 

[RD_Watcher]

Glenbard West at York. Crazy, standing room only atmosphere for two undefeated teams that both finished the season in 8A semi-final games. A really good game that came down to the end.

 

[johnndoe]

Week 9, LWE @ Bradley-Bourbonnais when the Griffins survived 5 turnovers, forced OT late and won 28-21 in the 1 extra frame.

 

[stl705]

Glenbard West at York. Crazy, standing room only atmosphere for two undefeated teams that both finished the season in 8A semi-final games. A really good game that came down to the end.

Agree RD that’s my 1st selection as well. It was an “anyone’s game” with a lot of good football. Ultimately York made long plays whereas GBW couldn’t connect on deep passes. 2023 game is going to be awesome I bet!

After starting the season with two blowouts, most all the rest of the games I saw were close, good games that I remember. Here are a couple other good ones:

-NV vs NN was a great game. Think NN had a halftime lead but NV played very strong defensively all game and won the 2nd half and game.

-IC vs SF was probably the ugliest close game I’ve ever seen and I don’t think I’ll ever see a game with more penalties. Outside of the continual penalties, it was a close and exciting game that came down to the 4th QTR.

-GBS vs GBE was another close game, but played in cold sideways-falling rain. GBS led almost all game by a return TD from #23 until a long TD by GBE put them in the lead late. Who is #23 on GBS anyway? I thought the ND commit was #3 and thought the return was by #23… regardless that #23 kid was the fastest athlete I saw all year, ahead of LWE QB.

 

[Quags57]

Prospect-Maine South.

Thursday night game. Packed house. Prospect scores a touchdown in the final 44.5 seconds. Then goes for two and their quarterback Brad Vierniesel leaps over a Maine South defender for the winning score as the Knights beat Swagger 42-41.

Here's my story on it:

Vierneisel's last-minute TD pass, 2-point conversion, lifts Prospect over Maine South, 42-41

Brad Vierneisel leapt Prospect past Maine South 42-41 Thursday in Park Ridge. Vierneisel threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Flannigan with 44.5 seconds left to pull the Knights to within 42-41. ...

football.dailyherald.com

 

[ramblinman]

Peoria vs Naz.

Need I really explain why?

 

[Snetsrak61]

I'm biased, but 5A Championship game.

 

[DadCoachSports]

Pekin v Lake Zurich

Mt Carmel v Loyola.....for Week 9 the weather and game could not have been more perfect.

 

[McCaravan]

Prospect-Maine South.

Thursday night game. Packed house. Prospect scores a touchdown in the final 44.5 seconds. Then goes for two and their quarterback Brad Vierniesel leaps over a Maine South defender for the winning score as the Knights beat Swagger 42-21.

Here's my story on it:

Vierneisel's last-minute TD pass, 2-point conversion, lifts Prospect over Maine South, 42-41

Brad Vierneisel leapt Prospect past Maine South 42-41 Thursday in Park Ridge. Vierneisel threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Flannigan with 44.5 seconds left to pull the Knights to within 42-41. ...

football.dailyherald.com

I watched the streaming of this game. I thought that Prospect might make the State game in 7A after watching it. They were really impressive. I had them beating Rita at home in the second round. Wasn’t too be, Rita D and the Stewart were too much.

 

[PowerI66]

I watched the streaming of this game. I thought that Prospect might make the State game in 7A after watching it. They were really impressive. I had them beating Rita at home in the second round. Wasn’t too be, Rita D and the Stewart were too much.

I think both Hersey and Prospect's playoff journey was greatly affected by that crazy wind that weekend.

 

[McCaravan]

I think both Hersey and Prospect's playoff journey was greatly affected by that crazy wind that weekend.

Weather played a part in last years playoffs for sure. That wind in round 2 was historic. The cold in the semis was right up there with the coldest ever. It hurt a lot of teams and helped the ground and pound teams. Along with Prospect and Hersey, from the CCL side I think Marist, being at home, would have beat York in a more standard weather day. But you can’t control the weather!

 

[stl705]

Forgot one, but I watched via stream: Princeton vs ICCP in 3A semifinals was just plain amazing to watch!! Maybe my favorite game of all season.

Small town school vs Suburban private school… 100 MPH winds (not sure if exaggerating or not)…. Princeton star QB/DB vs IC star WR… this game had EVERYTHING.

Broke my heart that Princeton couldn’t pull through but that’s how it goes sometimes.

 

[Vincennes6410]

#1 MC over #2 LA was easily my favorite game of the year. 80 degree sunny Saturday in late October lived up to its hype in this back and forth battle that went down to the final second. One of the best MC wins I’ve seen in my many years watching the Caravan.

Runner up was the semifinal game of MC/SR. Unlike the LA game this game was in February like Artic temps. After MC’s blowout win over SR in week one this game was more what fans of the two schools expected and preferred to see. Despite the score not showing it, SR dominated most of the game, but couldn’t get the ball in on 3 trips deep in the red zone. A SR INT from the Endzone seemed to seal MC’s fate and season, but a strip of the ball and recovery of the fumble injected life back into MC and they didn’t look back. In my eyes that game was the State Championship of the two best teams in 7A last season.

Best MC drive of the year was against St Rita in the 4th quarter. After the Dowling interception and the MC strip on the following play the MC offense finally got it together as we’ve seen them do all season. Jordan was relentless with the play calling he just didn’t let up! After MC took the lead midway through the 4th Arrington sealed the deal with a pick 6! What a game. That was definitely the state championship.

St. Rita is such a classy organization how about when the boys hugged it out as time expired? Gave the Southside chills the respect they showed for one another. That’s what it’s all about!

 

[Silver Rain]

Does anyone have a link to the Rita-MC playoff game? How about the MC title game against Batavia?

 

[McCaravan]

Does anyone have a link to the Rita-MC playoff game? How about the MC title game against Batavia?

You Tube will normally release the State Games at some point soon, keep checking. The MC/SR semi game is only on NFHS but it’s a crystal clear broadcast from the Marquee Network. You can also watch a clear copy of the State game on NFHS too. The BR quarterfinals is good too while I’m at it.

 

[Silver Rain]

NFHS

Yes, it worked out well. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Oddy]

Of the games I actually attended, it would be the semi between Naz and Sycamore.

 

[Wittymoniker1]

I'd say the Rita victory over PC. Rough first half for the Mustangs, but the defense came through and a ten-point victory ensued. Playing a tougher opponent compared to previous weeks and this game, I felt, catapulted Mustang to their impressive playoff run.

Runner-up? Victory over St. Charles North in the quarterfinals, because it was basically a pick 'em game, at SCN and Rita's Special Teams coming through. It also extended her semifinal appearances to three in a row--a very nice accomplishment. I'd like to think it would've been a "fourth in a row" kind of thing but Covid hit.