6A not looking as strong as some predicted
- Thread starter Cross Bones
- Start date
PR does not "feel" as dominant as they were last year but I have not seen them play and have only seen the scores and newspaper write ups.
I was kinda shocked at the Wheaton North and JCA score - I thought it would be a lot closer. Is JCA in 6A or 5A this year? Either WN is a ton better than most believe (including Edgy as they are not in the Top30 presently) or JCA is not a Quarterfinalist or better type team in 6A/5A as some have indicated they might be. Not sure which. If WN shuts down NN Offense this week or the reverse and it's a track meet - I think we might have our answer on that one?
I was kinda shocked at the Wheaton North and JCA score - I thought it would be a lot closer. Is JCA in 6A or 5A this year? Either WN is a ton better than most believe (including Edgy as they are not in the Top30 presently) or JCA is not a Quarterfinalist or better type team in 6A/5A as some have indicated they might be. Not sure which. If WN shuts down NN Offense this week or the reverse and it's a track meet - I think we might have our answer on that one?
I am interested in that Naz/Marist game in week 7. Crete-Monee may be pretty good, will have to see how BR finishes. Prairie Ridge looks good (watching the Huntley game now), but I am concerned about a team who scores 7 one week and gives up 43 the next. I thought Richards would give Phillips a good game, but it sounds like they were man handled. SHG. Peoria. Montini.
JCA is 5A. WN has a strong run offense and run defense. They dominated both lines-of-scrimmage. They also have two very good RB's. As someone suggested in another thread, I'm not sure the formula they used against JCA will work against the better teams in the DVC. However, there was no need for them to pass against the Hilltoppers. They ran it down their throats and ate clock. Their game strategy may have been dictated by the situation.
Obviously, their pass defense will be tested by NN. And, this could be a DVC opponent where their run-first approach is very effective. I'm guessing they will want to eat clock and keep NN's offense off the field. I also suspect they will have success running against NN's defense. This should be one of those intriguing matchups where two teams employ completely different styles of play.
SHG losing to Decatur Mac. Montini getting dominated by an admittedly very good LZ. PR having trouble scoring against C-G, then giving up a lot of points against Huntley. Richards losing handily to a very good Phillips. All those suggest 6A might not be as strong as some alleged. However, I suspect Crete might be better than some thought. No shame in losing to what looks like a great LWE team, then beating 8A BR. It's also possible C-G might be better than some thought, thus the Week 1 result. Plus, rivalry games are tough to gauge.
Overall, at this time, 6A might not be as strong as some thought, though. We shall see.
Next weekend we'll be 1/3 in. Plus the early non-con games are the ones that give us the overall picture. Conference games will pretty much tell us what we already know.
I thought Richards looked like a possible 6A semi team in that lower bracket. One concern for me they don't have a break away back. Game was never in doubt though Phillips just on another level. Taylor very disruptive out there and Billingsley some big catches.
PR played its two toughest regular season games right out of the gate. I wasn't overly surprised at the low score of the CG game as CG probably defends the TO as well as anyone since they run it as well. I was surprised at the amount of points PR gave up to Huntley, but Huntley seems loaded on offense this year and Mooney is a stud.
Wait till u see our D, bones, we will be setting records before the season is over.
I will say this, after watching the game on tv, game was not as close as the score indicated.
Also, Huntley will do some damage in 8A.
and most likely still is. and will be very strong among others in 6a. they scored more points than Loyola was able too, so to them that can be a plus on a bad game.
and they did create some stops and turnovers.
what they need most is someone that can call plays and adjust offensive schemes on the fly. you cannot leave a defensive end uncovered or not picked up and not be able to see that upstairs/sideline and make an adjustment. but none were made and when you consistently run the same plays no one is fooled.
and mcallister just made the smarter moves and capitalized on the inability to adjust. were there big plays sure. but, when you cannot get your defense off the field for most of the game.
they have to start going back to basics and understanding you just need to move the chains. and stop being predictable in key situations.
they have the talent, they have the players, now they need the heads to prevail.
I kept thinking Richards was holding cards close to vest with some play calls and then the blocked punt I thought really in business at 20-14. Definitely some good things there though.
Is there a hyperlinked summary to the Phillips/Richards game anywhere convenient?
Normal West is putting up some real good numbers too. Beat reigning 5A Champs week one while putting up 70 points against Peoria(Who most thought were a top 5 team coming into the year) then completely destroyed 8A O'Fallon 41-6. Their biggest game left is next week for 7A Normal Community. They win that they go undefeated and look to be possible 1/2 seed in the lower bracket of 6A. That would mean Richards/Crete would have to come south to play.
West beats Normal Community, they run the table to 9-0. Only other team in 6A that are south & have a chance at going undefeated are Dunlap, who still has Washington & Metamora left to play, or Danville, who still has to play West & Normal to play. Even if Dunlap wins out chances are West has more playoff points and ends up the 1 for the south bracket.
SHG lost last week to Decatur MacArthur and still have to play an always good Rochester team.
Providence already has 2 losses, still has Rita, BR, Loyola, and Mt. Carmel to go. Having to win at least two of those to make the playoffs is still a long way to go.
Providence could go 6-3, get the 9 seed, and then host the one in round 2.
Playoff home games are about how many you have had not what you are seeded. There have been many years MC played a road game in the playoffs at Gately or Eckersall then hosted a higher seed in the quarters or semis because of it.
Playoff home games are about how many you have had not what you are seeded. There have been many years MC played a road game in the playoffs at Gately or Eckersall then hosted a higher seed in the quarters or semis because of it.
Could but based on last year 6-3 wouldn't be a 9 seed... Do you really think Providence will go 3-1 through that gaunlet? I can see Rita & Carmel but not Loyola & BR.
Ok Lets change it to SHG. Point still stands. One seeds almost never host all four and some times only two rounds.
Usually a 1 seed hosts 3 of 4 rounds unless you have ESL who is the most underrated 5+ seed every year in your bracket... 1 seed will most likely be on road week 2 or 3. Last year both 6A 1 seeds would have been home 3 out of 4 weeks if Lemont would have won in the quarters