Even before the season has had a chance to display its brilliant fall colors, football playoff talk is in the air.
Evanston coach John Riehle plays down his game-breaking, big-play offense, claiming that defense is the way to playoff respectability.
Lincoln-Way Athletic Director Dennis Michels speculates that perhaps for the first time, five teams from an eight-team conference–the SICA Blue–could qualify for the postseason.
It seems like only yesterday that preseason practices were being conducted in 100-degree heat. Now, in a scant four weeks, the Illinois High School Association will be announcing its six-class playoff pairings.
With teams heading into their midseason games this weekend, there’s no better time for a football “mid-semester” report and a peek at who will be at the head of the class after “finals weekend” Nov. 24-25 at Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium in Normal.
Class 6A
At the rate Naperville Central is going, the Redhawks could be headed for a bowl game this winter. The Chicago area’s No. 1-ranked team has put on a virtual clinic thus far, including eye-opening victories over No. 9 Naperville North 47-14 and fast-rising Lincoln-Way 31-0. Naperville Central (4-0) seems to have adopted the Dallas Cowboy triple-threat offense with prime-time players at quarterback (Tim Lavery), running back (Jim Tumilty) and wide receiver (Jason Scherer).
Should unbeaten, fifth-ranked Stevenson wind up opposite Naperville Central in the title game, take cover. The Patriots are averaging an astounding 52.25 points a game, just shy of Lexington’s 52-point record of 1973. For those who claim coach Bill Mitz’s ballclub picks on patsies, how about a 35-21 triumph over No. 14 Downers Grove South? The Patriots can hurt you with the running of Steve Clancy, Shea Newcomb and Kyle Brandt and the passing of Ryan Keller to wideout Matt Junia.
The next echelon of state contenders begins with a pair of Du Page Valley contenders, No. 7 Wheaton-Warrenville South and No. 9 Naperville North. Wheaton South and QB Tim Brylka get their shot at Naperville Central next Friday while Naperville North and QB Scott Kavanagh are hoping for a postseason rematch.
Question marks abound for No. 10 Thornton and No. 11 Evanston. Most experts figured Thornton to be the only team talented enough to match up with Naperville Central until the Wildcats flattened out in a 24-6 loss to Lincoln-Way. Yes, the same Lincoln-Way the Redhawks crushed. Can coach Bill Mosel and his staff motivate the Wildcats–led by breakaway QB Antwaan Randle El and tailback Reggie Gage–to reach their vast potential?
Evanston has the fastest team in the Chicago area and perhaps the state, but are the Wildkits really ready for a championship run? Certainly, the game-breaking speed of receiver Leslie Weaver and tailback Lance Wellington and the poise of QB Adrian Barbera was enough to overcome a 21-0 deficit to Maine South. Will that work against a Naperville Central or Stevenson? Highly unlikely.
Class 5A
If this were a Hollywood production, then No. 2 Mt. Carmel (4-0) and No. 12 Simeon (4-0) would meet for the championship. Close followers of this sport know you never would invite Mt. Carmel coach Frank Lenti and Simeon’s Al Scott to the same party. They didn’t shake hands after Mt. Carmel’s 29-26 playoff victory five years ago. When the Mt. Carmel-Simeon rivalry became too intense, the schools stopped scheduling one another after 1991.
With a stifling defense that has given up just seven points to Joliet Catholic, Marian Catholic, St. Rita and St. Laurence, the Caravan is pointed toward its sixth state title. Simeon gained instant championship credibility with a 30-22 victory over East St. Louis, rated the top 5A team in the preseason.
Sixth-ranked Bolingbrook (4-0) would be entertaining to watch on Hancock Stadium’s artificial turf with breakaway back Marcus Smith, who has rushed for 600 yards already. The Runnin’ Raiders have outscored their first four opponents by a staggering 158-7, including an impressive 26-7 decision over Thornwood.
Keep an eye on two dangerous dark horses–Fenwick and St. Rita. When the weather turns cold and snowy, Fenwick’s wing-T running game will be ideal, especially operating behind 6-6, 310-pound Marques Sullivan, the nation’s top-rated offensive lineman. St. Rita’s upset of Brother Rice indicates it could become a playoff force. Despite its 4-0 record, Loyola has been somewhat disappointing in winning those games by a combined five points against teams with a composite 6-10 record.
Class 4A
If there is some way the IHSA could seed No. 4 Richards and No. 3 Providence in opposite brackets, this championship showdown of unbeatens would be something to see. Richards is averaging almost 50 points per game behind the breakaway running of Dwayne Goodrich and the big-play moves of Walter Mitchell. Providence is the defending 5A champion and coach Matt Senffner has built a possible repeat titlist behind a typically physical Celtic defense and running backs Kyle Stalter and Louis Medina.
No. 8 Bishop McNamara with breakaway threat Lee Lafayette (606 yards, nine TDs) and No. 15 Oswego are ready to advance Downstate should Richards or Providence falter. Oswego’s 16-7 victory over perennial 4A power Geneseo Darnall proved the Panthers are of championship material.
A dark-horse contender to watch: Thornton Fractional South. The Rebels advanced to the semifinals last year and are always dangerous with QB Scott Mullen.
Classes 3A, 2A, 1A
Just when Montini was making some serious plans for a 3A title, No. 18 Morris-runnerup in 4A last year–was downsized. Now practically everyone is conceding the trophy to the Redskins. Morris (4-0) has been totally dominant, outscoring its opponents 130-0 with an offense led by QB Kevin Curran and running backs Dave Sanchez and Craig Strum. Montini likewise has gone 4-0.
Taylor Ridge Rockridge (4-0) has won 14 in a row en route to the No. 1 state ranking in the Associated Press Class 2A poll. The Rockets return 14 starters from last year’s state champion, including QB Joe Schmulbach, leading rusher Jason Fuller, leading receiver Brian Hofer and leading tacklers Fuller and Brian Calvert.
Unbeaten Hardin Calhoun, Deer Creek Mackinaw and Carthage are the class of 1A. Hardin has won 40 of its last 44 games, including state titles in 1992 and ’93.
