The Official Unbiased Top 10 end of regular season

SiuCubFan8

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Sure, I just feel the top 10 teams in 8A are more capable of beating each other then the top 10 teams in the lower classes and a few more with the ability to pull off upsets.
Without looking at each class top 10 I would tend to agree but it can also be fluid Y2Y.
 

Still Missing34

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Jul 12, 2005
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Oswego? I don't see MS doing it.
I'm not saying Oswego, but they've gotten stronger since Bolingbrook (even with a 2nd string RB). Bolingbrook has a strong defense and good running game. Get a good team on a rainy November evening and it could spell upset.
 

LHSTigers94

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FWIW, while it wasn't quite a clocking, the only time JCA has faced ESL, they hammered the Flyers 45-8 in the playoffs a few years back. Well, more than a few years back, I think it was 30 years ago ;) .
So statement remain as a fact correct? CLOCKED? yes or no?
LOL.
 
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LHSTigers94

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ESL the last 20 years.
06 7A Qtr
07 7A Semi
08 7A Champs
09 7A Semi
10 7A (Forfeit)
11 7A Qtr
12 7A Second rd
13 6A Semi
14 6A Qtr
15 School Strike
16 7A Title
17 7A Qtr
18 7A Qtr
19 6A Title
20 Covid
21 6A Runner up
22 6A Title
23 6A Runner up
24 6A Title
25 6A Runner up

Unfortunately we are not considered ELITE because we lost to CG by 1pt and 3pts and Fenwick by 10 in the title games. In each title loss, ESL had the ball on the last drive and threw a pick. Understanding the assignment, ESL will keep working to get better.

If available can someone send the result of the last 20 years so I can see what an elite team look like?
 
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So statement remain as a fact correct? CLOCKED? yes or no?
LOL.
yes or no? YES

It was 45-0 before ESL scored during garbage time against JCA's 3rd string. :ROFLMAO:
.
.
.
.
J/K'ing: Actually I have NO IDEA even though I was in the stands watching that game. My memory has no clue who scored when.

What I do remember is:
1) ESL was not very good that year, so it was not an average team
2) that was during a down time for ESL that lasted maybe half a decade or more
 
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ESL the last 20 years.
06 7A Qtr
07 7A Semi
08 7A Champs
09 7A Semi
10 7A (Forfeit)
11 7A Qtr
12 7A Second rd
13 6A Semi
14 6A Qtr
15 School Strike
16 7A Title
17 7A Qtr
18 7A Qtr
19 6A Title
20 Covid
21 6A Runner up
22 6A Title
23 6A Runner up
24 6A Title
25 6A Runner up
For a second there I thought you had posted the last 20 years of Wilmington's Football results.

Is Wilmington Elite? Maybe yes for 2A/3A

Is Wilmington Elite for the best Illinois Team? IDK. It depends on you definition of Elite, but probably not.
 

Cross Bones

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2001
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I dont think anyone said ESL wasnt elite. Thats the derty 1's lack of reading comprehension. He even gets confused when people compliment the program.

What I did see was discussion about their placement with regards to MC and LA. To which I said it would take more than 6A championships (head to heads work). The same way I wouldnt accept L-W 1A championships to put them with ESL. Pretty standard stuff.

Far as depth its just math, its going to go up with class. Again simple stuff. So in 7A DGN and GBW add to the strength, but somehow York and LT aren't mentioned in 8A despite them being about the same.

None of this is crazy stuff
 
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LHSTigers94

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I dont think anyone said ESL wasnt elite. Thats the derty 1's lack of reading comprehension. He even gets confused when people compliment the program.

What I did see was discussion about their placement with regards to MC and LA. To which I said it would take more than 6A championships (head to heads work). The same way I wouldnt accept L-W 1A championships to put them with ESL. Pretty standard stuff.

Far as depth its just math, its going to go up with class. Again simple stuff. So in 7A DGN and GBW add to the strength, but somehow York and LT aren't mentioned in 8A despite them being about the same.

None of this is crazy stuff
He specifically said ESL isn't elite because elite teams will win 6A every year. MC and LA was added when asked who did he think was elite teams.

I know you and Derty got y'all thing going but, I am only talking about someone claiming ESL isn't elite. He can rank whoever he want where ever he want. I am good with that. If the resume isn't good enough, I can accept that as well. That is why I posted it.
 

LHSTigers94

All-Conference
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yes or no? YES

It was 45-0 before ESL scored during garbage time against JCA's 3rd string. :ROFLMAO:
.
.
.
.
J/K'ing: Actually I have NO IDEA even though I was in the stands watching that game. My memory has no clue who scored when.

What I do remember is:
1) ESL was not very good that year, so it was not an average team
2) that was during a down time for ESL that lasted maybe half a decade or more
I believe that was the year that Shannon quit mid season. My memory isn't get greatest because I was in college assuming it was the 96 season. My have to go and look it up somehow.
 
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LHSTigers94

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For a second there I thought you had posted the last 20 years of Wilmington's Football results.

Is Wilmington Elite? Maybe yes for 2A/3A

Is Wilmington Elite for the best Illinois Team? IDK. It depends on you definition of Elite, but probably not.
I would consider them an Elite small school in Illinois. 1A-4A. Just my opinion.
 
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SiuCubFan8

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I would consider them an Elite small school in Illinois. 1A-4A. Just my opinion.
Elite programs are elite programs. Doesn't matter what class they achieved their "elite status" in, IMO. No one is pretending Le-Win or Wilmington can beat MC/ESL/LA or other elite large school programs. That is how I look at it.
 
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LHSTigers94

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That's the same reasoning that some people consider ESL Elite as a Small School 5A/6A. And maybe 7A in the future.
I'm okay with ESL being considered an elite small school. Not sure why mention 5A unless you are talking 6 class system.

I can see the Elite is Elite perspective as well.
 
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chitown-irish

Junior
Sep 21, 2011
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And somehow, I'm thinking it will happen.
Brother rice and mt carmel beat everyone in the playoffs last year by 3 scores or more. Except for the other catholic league teams. For mc it was loyola in the 1st round and for rice it was rita in the finals. Besides that all their games were blow outs. So I just dont believe that 7a and 8a is any more competitive or difficult than other classes.
 

USD24

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May 29, 2001
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I believe that was the year that Shannon quit mid season. My memory isn't get greatest because I was in college assuming it was the 96 season. My have to go and look it up somehow.
In looking at the record book, it appears that Shannon quit mid season the year before (95). ESL went 11-1 that year and lost to MC in the semi's. The following year the Flyers were coached by Terry Hill, went 9-2 and lost to JC in the second round. The next 6 years ESL struggled a little and was a pedestrian 35-24 with Hill and Sunkett coaching. ESL did not receive another trophy until 2008 when they won 7A.
 
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Still Missing34

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Brother rice and mt carmel beat everyone in the playoffs last year by 3 scores or more. Except for the other catholic league teams. For mc it was loyola in the 1st round and for rice it was rita in the finals. Besides that all their games were blow outs. So I just dont believe that 7a and 8a is any more competitive or difficult than other classes.
I know, I was at the championship game (8A). You're completely free to think that.
 
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USD24

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I'm okay with ESL being considered an elite small school. Not sure why mention 5A unless you are talking 6 class system.

I can see the Elite is Elite perspective as well.
Correct; ESL's only 5A title was in 1979, when it was the largest class. Of their championships, 6 came in the highest class, 2 in the second highest class, and 3 in the third highest class.
 
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Correct; ESL's only 5A title was in 1979, when it was the largest class. Of their championships, 6 came in the highest class, 2 in the second highest class, and 3 in the third highest class.

I'm okay with ESL being considered an elite small school. Not sure why mention 5A unless you are talking 6 class system.

I can see the Elite is Elite perspective as well.
The only reason I included 5A is because I believe their enrollment is that of a 5A school. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 

chitown-irish

Junior
Sep 21, 2011
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It's possible I'd take PC over Lockport this year. But Lyons, Oswego, MC/LWE, Loyola it's not even comparable. You know you can talk to your admin and tell them you want to request up.


And that other team is Huntley.... Huntley.
I specifically stated their path to the quarterfinals. Also pc competed in 7a plenty thats where they won their last title. The enrollment at the school is almost half of what it was 10 years ago. As far as you saying the head coach was paying for students tuition. The family has a charitable foundation. That offers students scholarships to catholic high schools not just pc. In fact the scholarship is list on other schools websites as well.
 

atrain97

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
440
523
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Let's also add in 23' QB knee injury first drive second half. Not many teams can win losing their four year starting QB. Just a little something to add.
If you want to talk about injuries effecting the game, In 2021, if CGs FB doesn't blow his knee out on their last drive, CG likely wins by 8 pts, and/or runs out the clock.
 

atrain97

Senior
Aug 26, 2011
440
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ESL the last 20 years.
06 7A Qtr
07 7A Semi
08 7A Champs
09 7A Semi
10 7A (Forfeit)
11 7A Qtr
12 7A Second rd
13 6A Semi
14 6A Qtr
15 School Strike
16 7A Title
17 7A Qtr
18 7A Qtr
19 6A Title
20 Covid
21 6A Runner up
22 6A Title
23 6A Runner up
24 6A Title
25 6A Runner up

Unfortunately we are not considered ELITE because we lost to CG by 1pt and 3pts and Fenwick by 10 in the title games. In each title loss, ESL had the ball on the last drive and threw a pick. Understanding the assignment, ESL will keep working to get better.

If available can someone send the result of the last 20 years so I can see what an elite team look like?
Cary Grove, not saying they are elite, but ....
Also, not saying that ESL is not Elite, historically they are the winningest program in Illinois.
I am tired of having people downgrade ESL, because they lost twice to CG
4 State Champs, 1 less than ESL
2 runners up, 1 less than ESL
3 semi finals same amount as ESL
5 Qtr finals

  • 4x STATE CHAMPIONS - 2009, 2018, 2021, 2023
  • 7 State Championship Appearances - 2004, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023
  • 10 State Semifinal Appearances - 1997, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024
  • 19 State Quarterfinal Appearances - 1980, 1987, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
  • CG 214-39 Record in the last 20 seasons (.845 winning %, among the top teams in Illinois)
  • Since the beginning of the 2005 season, the East St. Louis Flyers have achieved an outstanding overall record of 200–51 (a .797 winning percentage), excluding the ongoing 2026 season. [1, 2]

Yep, that is all just the triple option. Also, when is the last time you heard of a big time transfer into CG? They just dance with the date they brought, and those dates don't necessarily win any beauty contests, they just win.
 

Still Missing34

All-Conference
Jul 12, 2005
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Cary Grove, not saying they are elite, but ....
Also, not saying that ESL is not Elite, historically they are the winningest program in Illinois.
I am tired of having people downgrade ESL, because they lost twice to CG
4 State Champs, 1 less than ESL
2 runners up, 1 less than ESL
3 semi finals same amount as ESL
5 Qtr finals

  • 4x STATE CHAMPIONS - 2009, 2018, 2021, 2023
  • 7 State Championship Appearances - 2004, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023
  • 10 State Semifinal Appearances - 1997, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024
  • 19 State Quarterfinal Appearances - 1980, 1987, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
  • CG 214-39 Record in the last 20 seasons (.845 winning %, among the top teams in Illinois)
  • Since the beginning of the 2005 season, the East St. Louis Flyers have achieved an outstanding overall record of 200–51 (a .797 winning percentage), excluding the ongoing 2026 season. [1, 2]

Yep, that is all just the triple option. Also, when is the last time you heard of a big time transfer into CG? They just dance with the date they brought, and those dates don't necessarily win any beauty contests, they just win.
Played in a much more competitive conference too.
 
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LHSTigers94

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Played in a much more competitive conference too.
Interesting, based on what? I don't have a strong opinion one way or another but, thinking the conference is bad because ESL beat them is just as bad as not giving CG credit for being a good team.
 

Still Missing34

All-Conference
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Interesting, based on what? I don't have a strong opinion one way or another but, thinking the conference is bad because ESL beat them is just as bad as not giving CG credit for being a good team.
They've had some pretty strong programs over the years in that conference. Some have moved on (Johnsburg being one). Huntley is a good (not elite) 8A program, Jacobs has had a run, as well as, Prairie Ridge (3 state titles) the last 20 years.
 

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
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Interesting, based on what? I don't have a strong opinion one way or another but, thinking the conference is bad because ESL beat them is just as bad as not giving CG credit for being a good team.
I am not some SWC expert but looking at the prior two playoff years it is not strong at least not in the recent past.
I did not go back years on every team, I do know Edwardsville has been real good in the past and one of the Bellview's has had some good teams.
It is down recently, it is what it is. I would also argue the Fox Valley is down this year for sure. If Huntley makes a run maybe it is more a changing of the guard or just a real good QB in an average to not good conference.
 
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