Best Semi-Final Games

[USD24]

With all the talk of the Rice-Marist game being one of the best semi-final match ups in memory. What are some of the best semi-final games you have seen?

My favorite has to be the 92 JC-MC game. MC had beat up on JC the first game of the year. They met for a rematch in the semi's. On a cold Saturday at Memorial Stadium the Hilltoppers stunned the top ranked Caravan 13-11 in front of close to 9000 fans. Matt Larsen with a huge TD run to start the second half and the defense was able to keep McNab at bay. JC would go on to lose to WWS in the championship game in 2 OT's in one of the best title games ever.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-11-22-9204170040-story.html

Runner up for me was the 2000 game between JC and Pontiac. Pontiac scored a TD with under 2 mins left to tie the game. JC blocked the xp. JRZ then took a hand off and raced 80 yds off tackle for a TD to win the game for the Hilltoppers in the last minute.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-11-19-0011190281-story.html

 

[The Disciple]

With all the talk of the Rice-Marist game being one of the best semi-final match ups in memory. What are some of the best semi-final games you have seen?

My favorite has to be the 92 JC-MC game. MC had beat up on JC the first game of the year. They met for a rematch in the semi's. On a cold Saturday at Memorial Stadium the Hilltoppers stunned the top ranked Caravan 13-11 in front of close to 8000 fans. Matt Larsen with a huge TD run to start the second half and the defense was able to keep McNab at bay. JC would go on to lose to WWS in the championship game in 2 OT's in one of the best title games ever.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-11-22-9204170040-story.html

Runner up for me was the 2000 game between JC and Pontiac. Pontiac scored a TD with under 2 mins left to tie the game. JC blocked the xp. JRZ then took a hand off and raced 80 yds off tackle for a TD to win the game for the Hilltoppers in the last minute.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-11-19-0011190281-story.html

Ah yes...….the infamous Terriel Smith and the "Drive for 5" game. "It'll be just like the first game, we'll take 'em like that"...……………..NOT !!

 

[McCaravan]

God blessed Smith. He will go down in Caravan lore. Helluva Running Back though. Truth is JCA improved immensely as the season progressed but this game is fact that you can win on pure motivation!

 

[The Disciple]

God blessed Smith. He will go down in Caravan lore. Helluva Running Back though. Truth is JCA improved immensely as the season progressed but this game is fact that you can win on pure motivation!

You seem to be referring to Mr. Smith in the past tense? I hope i'm wrong in that regard. That was am outstanding MC team and a great game that day. That '92 playoff run for the Hillmen was really special.

 

[sidelinescotty]

How about the infamous Fenwick VS. Plainfield North game from 2016. The excitement from that games ending lasted another month! (And included a lawsuit) can’t beat that.

 

[cocacoaler]

Lockport beating Hinsdale Central in the final seconds at HC in 2002, may have been the best football game I’ve ever seen in my life. I was there with a friend who had a nephew on Lockport’s squad. Incredible atmosphere at HC, with last second heroics by Steve Walker.

 

[McCaravan]

You seem to be referring to Mr. Smith in the past tense? I hope i'm wrong in that regard. That was am outstanding MC team and a great game that day. That '92 playoff run for the Hillmen was really special.

He’s alive and well! I wanted to use profanity to express my thoughts on him but it’s not allowed.

 

[Leggo24]

Maine South vs Fenwick in 1993 or so

 

[HoopinHawk]

Deerfield vs St. Laurence, Gately Stadium 1977. It was a war. Taylor Bell called it the best high school football game he had ever seen on multiple occasions.

 

[tmjgrady]

Deerfield vs St. Laurence, Gately Stadium 1977. It was a war. Taylor Bell called it the best high school football game he had ever seen on multiple occasions.

The 1979 version of Deerfield vs St Laurence at Gately was better - happier ending!

 

[UIUC 17]

One of the best in the lower classes is IC @ Byron last year. IC scores the game winning, and only, touchdown with around 20 seconds remaining to win 7-0. The fact that the game was at Byron made it even more exciting because not much compares to the "small-town" football atmosphere

 

[MS4EVER]

Maine South vs Fenwick in 1993 or so

That 1995 game is up there in MS history. Only to be topped by 2000 vs. Lincoln Way with the Hawks winning in double overtime. But my favorite is 2010 @ Loyola. Hawks down 9 points late come back to win stopping LA on the four yard line. Fans storm the field and forever change the rivalry forever.



"It's not over, it's over"

 

[eagles2k3]

That 1995 game is up there in MS history. Only to be topped by 2000 vs. Lincoln Way with the Hawks winning in double overtime. But my favorite is 2010 @ Loyola. Hawks down 9 points late come back to win stopping LA on the four yard line. Fans storm the field and forever change the rivalry forever.



"It's not over, it's over"

What about the DGS game in 2001? Was that a semifinal? Homer Clock operator.

 

[Penlight]

With all the talk of the Rice-Marist game being one of the best semi-final match ups in memory. What are some of the best semi-final games you have seen?

My favorite has to be the 92 JC-MC game. MC had beat up on JC the first game of the year. They met for a rematch in the semi's. On a cold Saturday at Memorial Stadium the Hilltoppers stunned the top ranked Caravan 13-11 in front of close to 8000 fans. Matt Larsen with a huge TD run to start the second half and the defense was able to keep McNab at bay. JC would go on to lose to WWS in the championship game in 2 OT's in one of the best title games ever.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-11-22-9204170040-story.html

Runner up for me was the 2000 game between JC and Pontiac. Pontiac scored a TD with under 2 mins left to tie the game. JC blocked the xp. JRZ then took a hand off and raced 80 yds off tackle for a TD to win the game for the Hilltoppers in the last minute.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-11-19-0011190281-story.html

Both were classics! Thank you for attaching the stories.

Mine will likely forever be 1976 Rockford Boylan vs. the Hilltoppers.
Boylan ended 1975 as the 5A Runner Up --- only 5 classes then --- and rolled into Joliet undefeated and expecting victory.
The Hilltoppers were 10-1 and were the defending 4A champions.
The game was a stalemate until midway through the 3rd Quarter when the Hilltoppers were stopped on 4th & 1 deep in their own territory and Boylan score a few plays later and went up 7-0.
With 8 minutes left the Hilltoppers started an 82 yard drive, converting on several 3rd and 4th downs and scored with 2 minutes left to make it 7-6.
As they lined up for a 2-Point conversion, everyone expected Rick Thayer (the state's leading rusher and scorer) to get the hand-off, but instead play-action was run and the late Tim Mackey was wide open and caught the pass for the 8-7 lead.
The absolute loudest roar I have ever heard any crowd anywhere including college, pro, indoor or outdoor let out and continued until Boylan's last shot ended a few plays later with an interception.

 

[mmca]

Deerfield vs St. Laurence, Gately Stadium 1977. It was a war. Taylor Bell called it the best high school football game he had ever seen on multiple occasions.

I was there freezing in the stands!!! I believe Deerfield didn't give up a point until the Championship game

 

[tmjgrady]

I was there freezing in the stands!!! I believe Deerfield didn't give up a point until the Championship game

If the Vikings just attempted a pass or two to loosen the defense we might have been ok Deerfield with 10 on line of scrimmage to thwart the Vikings powerful wishbone attack

 

[mmca]

2015 Libertyville vs Bradley Bourbonnaise in the snow and cold. With the clock winding down and no time outs, Riley Lees scored on fourth down from a yard out as time expired!

 

[Cross Bones]

What about the DGS game in 2001? Was that a semifinal? Homer Clock operator.

Clock seemed okay to me.

 

[MS4EVER]

Clock seemed okay to me.

Brutal just brutal. My first day as equipment manager was the Monday following that game. I collected the equipment and told my then girlfriend "I think I made a mistake, this job is depressing!" LOL Glad I stayed on.

 

[eagles2k3]

Brutal just brutal. My first day as equipment manager was the Monday following that game. I collected the equipment and told my then girlfriend "I think I made a mistake, this job is depressing!" LOL Glad I stayed on.

One of my college buddies was on that MS team. Every time he talked about it you could just see the anger and almost tears when we brought it up.

 

[septon34]

I was a depressed 5th grader for months, but MC beating SR at The Pit in 88 was the epitome of southside Chicago catholic league football

 

[USD24]

Ah yes...….the infamous Terriel Smith and the "Drive for 5" game. "It'll be just like the first game, we'll take 'em like that"...……………..NOT !!

Also gotta throw out the 87 JC/Belvidere semi-final game. My sentimental favorite. Belvidere took an early lead, but the Hilltoppers stormed back behind Tyrone Isaac and 2 interceptions from John Lausch to win going away. Great game and season

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-11-22-8703280315-story.html

 

[Penlight]

Also gotta throw out the 87 JC/Belvidere semi-final game. My sentimental favorite. Belvidere took an early lead, but the Hilltoppers stormed back behind Tyrone Isaac and 2 interceptions from John Lausch to win going away. Great game and season

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-11-22-8703280315-story.html

That is US Attorney John Lausch.

USD24, there are some other interesting names called out in that article ;-)

 

[MC63]

Brutal just brutal. My first day as equipment manager was the Monday following that game. I collected the equipment and told my then girlfriend "I think I made a mistake, this job is depressing!" LOL Glad I stayed on.

You really know how to talk to the ladies.

Did she stick around?

 

[ssczar76]

DeLaSalle vs Bolingbrook 1993. Think it was in the semis

 

[Cross Bones]

DeLaSalle vs Bolingbrook 1993. Think it was in the semis

4 FGs, ugly

 

[ssczar76]

Great game defensively

 

[MS4EVER]

You really know how to talk to the ladies.

Did she stick around?

LOL. No, she gone. On round 2 now. Much better thanks for asking.