I’m taking full credit we talked about this with Jeff Reents one week on Pigskin Preview and we’ll….we definitely touches a nerve.
Sure it does. Get a win. Get 7 or 8 playoff pointsI’m pretty shocked by this.
It doesn’t make any sense for Morris.
Yeah I suppose that's the one potential positive for them.Sure it does. Get a win. Get 7 or 8 playoff points
All very good points. To your last one though, CC made the state semi finals. I don’t think they care how this looks. They played them for what, 5 years???I get that this isn't a great matchup in some people's eyes, but there a lot of reasons to like this game.
A few off the top of my head....
1. The kids all know each other very well
2. They play in every other sport throughout the school year
3. Reents coming back home is important to some
4. Morris' entire schedule is against schools with larger enrollments and already has 6-7 playoff teams on it. Every week with exception of maybe 1 or 2 games will be a battle again (see 5-4 regular season record last year)
5. Wilmington knows they are going to have a cake walk through their schedule- why not challenge yourself with a tough non-con?
6. Morris is losing a majority of their offensive starters (4 WR, 1 RB, 3 OL)
7. Wilmo is bringing back a lot (from what I'm told)
8. Playoff points for both
9. Crowd will be great- kids and fans are excited to finally see this matchup- one of the more intriguing week 1 games!
***Coal City dropped Morris. Now their conference rival Wilmo picks them up. Credit to Wilmo... not a good look CC coaching staff
Not a good look for CC? They replaced Morris with Richmond Burton. I don't see a cut back in strength of scheduleI get that this isn't a great matchup in some people's eyes, but there a lot of reasons to like this game.
A few off the top of my head....
1. The kids all know each other very well
2. They play in every other sport throughout the school year
3. Reents coming back home is important to some
4. Morris' entire schedule is against schools with larger enrollments and already has 6-7 playoff teams on it. Every week with exception of maybe 1 or 2 games will be a battle again (see 5-4 regular season record last year)
5. Wilmington knows they are going to have a cake walk through their schedule- why not challenge yourself with a tough non-con?
6. Morris is losing a majority of their offensive starters (4 WR, 1 RB, 3 OL)
7. Wilmo is bringing back a lot (from what I'm told)
8. Playoff points for both
9. Crowd will be great- kids and fans are excited to finally see this matchup- one of the more intriguing week 1 games!
***Coal City dropped Morris. Now their conference rival Wilmo picks them up. Credit to Wilmo... not a good look CC coaching staff
If it’s a lateral move and they are not looking for a lesser opponent, why would they not just continue to play the team 10 minutes down the road? Why add over an hour of travel time? Just doesn’t make much sense. Not positive, but I think the last time Morris played RB they handled them fairly easily.Not a good look for CC? They replaced Morris with Richmond Burton. I don't see a cut back in strength of schedule
It's fun to play new programs in non-con.***Coal City dropped Morris. Now their conference rival Wilmo picks them up. Credit to Wilmo... not a good look CC coaching staff
Who do you consider top teams in the conference besides the obvious top 2? (If anyone)The top teams in the ICE have to schedule at least one good Non Conference game. The ICE is so weak that it would only hurt you by playing two bad teams off the bat
Pretty much those two. Occasionally Peotone puts a quality team in the mix but lately its just been the two. I thought maybe Manteno was going to push those two last year but that obviously didn't happenWho do you consider top teams in the conference besides the obvious top 2? (If anyone)
Right now, it's just those two.Who do you consider top teams in the conference besides the obvious top 2? (If anyone)
how are the youth programs with these towns?Right now, it's just those two.
As far as the rest of the league:
Braidwood had their once in a lifetime class go through a couple years ago, and now they are back towards the basement.
Manteno and Peotone are good enough to beat the other bad teams, but typically don't do much in the postseason. Peotone has never made it out of the 2nd round, and Manteno has only made it to the quarters once. Lisle and Herscher both used to be in a somewhat similar boat as Peotone and Manteno, but have fallen off - Lisle in particular. Streator is just not a football school.
I’m not really in the loop on that. I’ll have to defer to someone with more knowledge on the subject.how are the youth programs with these towns?
are Wilmo and CC way ahead here as well?
I don't think the connection between the kids is as tight as you think it is. I don't remember being around any kids from Wilmington in school. Coal City was different because it's closer and there was the possibility of having a class with them at GAVC.I get that this isn't a great matchup in some people's eyes, but there a lot of reasons to like this game.
A few off the top of my head....
1. The kids all know each other very well
2. They play in every other sport throughout the school year
3. Reents coming back home is important to some
4. Morris' entire schedule is against schools with larger enrollments and already has 6-7 playoff teams on it. Every week with exception of maybe 1 or 2 games will be a battle again (see 5-4 regular season record last year)
5. Wilmington knows they are going to have a cake walk through their schedule- why not challenge yourself with a tough non-con?
6. Morris is losing a majority of their offensive starters (4 WR, 1 RB, 3 OL)
7. Wilmo is bringing back a lot (from what I'm told)
8. Playoff points for both
9. Crowd will be great- kids and fans are excited to finally see this matchup- one of the more intriguing week 1 games!
***Coal City dropped Morris. Now their conference rival Wilmo picks them up. Credit to Wilmo... not a good look CC coaching staff
Good to see Mr. Positivity is back with his terrible Morris football hot takes.I don't think the connection between the kids is as tight as you think it is. I don't remember being around any kids from Wilmington in school. Coal City was different because it's closer and there was the possibility of having a class with them at GAVC.
I also don't know many who have been clamoring for this matchup.
Looks good for Wilmo, but I see no upside to this game for Morris.
Shows how little time you have spent around the program or town. Next time I see the AD I'll ask what the thought process was behind this and let you know.Good to see Mr. Positivity is back with his terrible Morris football hot takes.
I’ll be nice this time and just say this comment shows just how far removed you are from the program and the town.
at minimum, 8 playoff points.Shows how little time you have spent around the program or town. Next time I see the AD I'll ask what the thought process was behind this and let you know.
Please, enlighten me as to how this matchup benefits Morris? How does a borderline 4A/5A team benefit from playing a borderline 2A/3A team? How will it be different than the games against Coal City, which were rarely competitive.
There is the connection with Reents, but outside of that what is there? The two towns are 25 miles apart which is the same distance between Morris and Yorkville or Ottawa. Not exactly the neighborhood rivalry you think it's going to be.
Playoff points have never been an issue for Morris. Went into last year's playoffs with 53 playoff points, second only to Mt. Carmel, which had 57. They're always at the top of the list for playoff points.at minimum, 8 playoff points.
I’m of the opinion that this game is a lot more beneficial to Wilmo with regards to preparation for future opponents/identifying areas to improve, but playing Wilmo might help with preps for the Rochelle game - in which Morris struggled last year.Playoff points have never been an issue for Morris. Went into last year's playoffs with 53 playoff points, second only to Mt. Carmel, which had 57. They're always at the top of the list for playoff points.
What else ya got?
Agree that it is far more beneficial for Wilmington, but outside of last year Morris had won 6 of the last 7 against Rochelle, including twice in one year in either 2017 or 2018.I’m of the opinion that this game is a lot more beneficial to Wilmo with regards to preparation for future opponents/identifying areas to improve, but playing Wilmo might help with preps for the Rochelle game - in which Morris struggled last year.
How many starters return for Morris? Is Wheeler a senior? Wilmington defense is typically good, but a legit balanced attack (such as Montini) can give them trouble.Way too early score projection?
Based on last year’s data, Massey has Morris 35-22. Not sure I agree that.
Wheeler is graduating. QB returns as well a couple linemen. Not sure about returners on defense.How many starters return for Morris? Is Wheeler a senior? Wilmington defense is typically good, but a legit balanced attack (such as Montini) can give them trouble.
From Wilmington's perspective it's a great opportunity and for as long as they play they will always have a distinctive coaching advantage. That being said I hope this is just a one or two year deal.The more I think about this, the more I like it.
I got Wilmo as clear underdogs here, but that’s ok. Just thinking about all the Morris instilled tradition that Coach Reents brought over to Wilmo, and then built the program up…then to finally come back “home”. From that perspective, it’s really cool.
All..... Off subject but speaking of Rochelle..... Woodstock had enough of playing the Hubs these last two year seasons and will play Lake Villa in 2025 and 2026 with a better chance of a non con win.I’m of the opinion that this game is a lot more beneficial to Wilmo with regards to preparation for future opponents/identifying areas to improve, but playing Wilmo might help with preps for the Rochelle game - in which Morris struggled last year.
Morris is bringing back the majority of their starters on defense. May be an issue for Wilmington and the offense they run. Offensively, they are losing a good amount but have a strong Junior class and have kids who should be able to step in. Scheme wise Morris has been able to do many different things with the offense they run. I'd imagine they will find a way to make it fit their personnel.How many starters return for Morris? Is Wheeler a senior? Wilmington defense is typically good, but a legit balanced attack (such as Montini) can give them trouble.