How about burton, byron, IC and BCC all in upper bracket. Thats a tough schedule for 4 very good teams. The semi games in that upper should tough games.
Class 3 upper
- Thread starter raf2242
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Been that way for a while. The south has won 3A only twice in the last thirteen years, with many of the north wins being blow outs
4 outstanding teams indeed. #3 seed Bishop Mac "rewarded" with their 9-0 record to have "potential" path to state that would include ICCP, then Byron, then winner of R-B/BCC. For the record, I don't think Mac can beat ICCP.
The quarterfinals here should be outstanding.
It is loaded, but keep an eye on 3A South. The Illini Prairie and Sangamo are solid conferences and Williamsville can hang with all the above.
This is comical and I would love to hear your reasoning behind it. Please share why Byron is in a class by themselves over the three other teams.@Comet4Life is still shell shocked from the back to back trips up to Ogle County a couple years ago.
I think R-B has the easier path, but I guess they should as the 1 seed. BCC has some dudes, but I’ll go with the Rockets.
ICCP @ Byron is gonna be great and I’m gonna make every logistic attempt to go see that one if possible.
Of course, everyone has to complete round 2 first…
I think R-B has the easier path, but I guess they should as the 1 seed. BCC has some dudes, but I’ll go with the Rockets.
ICCP @ Byron is gonna be great and I’m gonna make every logistic attempt to go see that one if possible.
Of course, everyone has to complete round 2 first…
Byron at home, you’re probably right. Though everyone else might not be that far behind
Nope.
Byron went to Williamsville last year and won 41-3.
Last time byron played a team from the south in the title game it was 69-7. The south has a lot of work to do in order to be competitive w the North.
No one in the south wouldn't make the final 4 up north.
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I would ask both of you @CCL65 & @Comet4Life if you have actually watched film on any of these teams this year besides Byron? If you have, and that was your conclusion, you probably don't know football that well. If you haven't, please do and let me know what you think. I'm not taking anything away from the Tigers either, they are a VERY good football team that could very well win it all in 3A. Just like the other 3 teams
. I guess we will officially find out next week when they meet in Elmhurst and Byron blow the doors off ICCP. If it happens the game would be at Byron. Both will have had one home game and one road game and Byron is the higher seed.I would ask both of you @CCL65 & @Comet4Life if you have actually watched film on any of these teams this year besides Byron? If you have, and that was your conclusion, you probably don't know football that well. If you haven't, please do and let me know what you think. I'm not taking anything away from the Tigers either, they are a VERY good football team that could very well win it all in 3A. Just like the other 3 teams
Correct, my apologies. I forgot DuPec beat Johnsburg and they were the lower seed.
At Byron, I don't think ICCP team would win that game. Probably not a blowout but a comfortable win for he Tigers. I have watched film on all 4 teams you have mentioned and I still believe this Byron team is a different animal. If I'm wrong then so be it but I wouldn't bet against them. Any team from the south is in trouble. If Williamsville is the best the south has to offer then good luck with that.
I agree the south is in trouble. I'm still confused on why you guys think Byron is a different animal? And again, I think they are really really good. But they are NOT in a different category than IC and Richmond (don't know much about BCC). They beat Dupec and Dixon. The rest of the schedule is HORRIBLE. Then you look at IC and they've played the likes of St Francis, Nazareth, St Rita, and Marist. And if you did in fact watch them live or on film, they have a noticeable difference in size and speed over Byron. I'm just confused as to how you come to the idea that Byron will beat IC comfortably which I would assume is like 17 points? This is NOT a bash Byron post I just don't see how one comes to the realization that they are a "different animal" than the presumed quarterfinal teams. Good thing is, in a week or so, we will find out which one of us was incredibly wrong
IC LOST to Naz Rita and Marist. Got lucky vs Francis. Byron has rolled and will continue to roll. Byron 35 IC 7I agree the south is in trouble. I'm still confused on why you guys think Byron is a different animal? And again, I think they are really really good. But they are NOT in a different category than IC and Richmond (don't know much about BCC). They beat Dupec and Dixon. The rest of the schedule is HORRIBLE. Then you look at IC and they've played the likes of St Francis, Nazareth, St Rita, and Marist. And if you did in fact watch them live or on film, they have a noticeable difference in size and speed over Byron. I'm just confused as to how you come to the idea that Byron will beat IC comfortably which I would assume is like 17 points? This is NOT a bash Byron post I just don't see how one comes to the realization that they are a "different animal" than the presumed quarterfinal teams. Good thing is, in a week or so, we will find out which one of us was incredibly wrong
Did IC and Bishop Mac already play? I must have missed that one
That 35-7 score is hilarious. IC did lose to those three teams. Naz is a 6A team (lost to them on GW FG), Rita a 7A team and Marist an 8A team (lost by a point). I'm guessing mighty Byron would beat all 3 of those teams easily as well since they are going to beat IC by 4 TDs? How many teams above 3A did Byron play? Almost forgot, they played Dixon, a 4A school. You're clueless bud.They didn't, tomorrow at 7. I hope BMac can keep it close for a half but IC wins and my personal opinion is they win comfortably +21
ICCP is a very good program and their regular season schedule is as tough as anyone. Byron is loaded and ICCP has not played a team this year that will ground and pound them in the run game like Byron will in this matchup. The game could be close and ICCP is good enough to beat them. Last 2 times these teams have meet in the playoffs they have split the matchup with IC winning big once and Byron sneaking out a close win. Both in route to state titles for each team. That being said I think a 2 score (comfortable) win is not out of the question. Hope this matchup takes place so everyone gets the answer. 2 very good football teams.
Whoever it might be, the final 4 in the north would win by multiple scores over the final 4 in the south. Williamsville and Tolono may be the exception. Tolono has some great skill guys, especially the QB, and Williamsville is very versatile this year.
As for IC and Mac, I do not think it will be close based on strength of schedule alone. IC is bigger and way more physical up front than Mac. The Irish are vastly improved from the past few years but I don't see anyone on their schedule that even comes close in a game with IC. They have way too many weapons.
Byron and DuPec is a fun game but DuPec has been here before, about a year ago with Wilmington. Maybe the LW helps them vs the run first offense but Byron has a few more dudes than DuPec.
IC and Byron comes down to the same two questions every time they play.
1. Does Byron have the athletes, especially in the secondary and on the perimeter to stop or at least slow down IC?
2. Does IC have the ability and discipline to limit the Byron run game and get them in 3rd and long situations?
As for IC and Mac, I do not think it will be close based on strength of schedule alone. IC is bigger and way more physical up front than Mac. The Irish are vastly improved from the past few years but I don't see anyone on their schedule that even comes close in a game with IC. They have way too many weapons.
Byron and DuPec is a fun game but DuPec has been here before, about a year ago with Wilmington. Maybe the LW helps them vs the run first offense but Byron has a few more dudes than DuPec.
IC and Byron comes down to the same two questions every time they play.
1. Does Byron have the athletes, especially in the secondary and on the perimeter to stop or at least slow down IC?
2. Does IC have the ability and discipline to limit the Byron run game and get them in 3rd and long situations?
I’ve seen quite a few playoff games up there and for some reason it always seems to have rained more up there.
I’m very intrigued by the Mac vs IC game. They have one common opponent in Chicago Hope and both beat Hope by comparable scores.
Byron was maybe an inch away from beating Montini last year. I’m not saying Byron walks all over IC. But Byron has proven they can play with CCL teams. Last 4 years, they are 2-2 against the CCL. And all of the winners easily won state. 3 of the 4 games were semifinal matchups.
Another thing going for/against DuPec is Byron beat them 42-14 earlier this season. While DuPec knows what to expect now, so does Byron.
Everyone is in agreement that Byron is good, and has beat some CCL teams over the years. In 2021 they beat IC by 1 point in route to a 3A title. 2022 they lost to IC 35-0. 2023 they beat Montini 26-20 on a touchdown late in the 4th. Last year they lost to Montini 14-13. I must be missing the time where they dominated one of the CCL schools. I'm well aware they can compete with the CCL schools, but to say it's Byron and everyone else is just not true.
I would ask both of you @CCL65 & @Comet4Life if you have actually watched film on any of these teams this year besides Byron? If you have, and that was your conclusion, you probably don't know football that well. If you haven't, please do and let me know what you think. I'm not taking anything away from the Tigers either, they are a VERY good football team that could very well win it all in 3A. Just like the other 3 teams
Still have doubts about Byron being better than everyone else? 27-6 and dominated this game. Beat up the bigger team in the trenches. Defense completely shut down IC. Great game by the Tigers and they had a turnover deep and missed a FG. Could have been worse than the score actually was.
First of all, I never said that Byron dominated. I said they can compete. At least they got to play at home. All 4 of the other games were at the CCL school. Congrats Byron.
It’s you. You’re incredibly wrong. Byron is indeed a class by themselves.I agree the south is in trouble. I'm still confused on why you guys think Byron is a different animal? And again, I think they are really really good. But they are NOT in a different category than IC and Richmond (don't know much about BCC). They beat Dupec and Dixon. The rest of the schedule is HORRIBLE. Then you look at IC and they've played the likes of St Francis, Nazareth, St Rita, and Marist. And if you did in fact watch them live or on film, they have a noticeable difference in size and speed over Byron. I'm just confused as to how you come to the idea that Byron will beat IC comfortably which I would assume is like 17 points? This is NOT a bash Byron post I just don't see how one comes to the realization that they are a "different animal" than the presumed quarterfinal teams. Good thing is, in a week or so, we will find out which one of us was incredibly wrong
Wouldn’t have mattered where they played today. Byron was better from the first snap to the end. Byron is really good every year. The fact that this comes as a surprise to some people is surprising
This was my first time watching either team play in person in sometime and really wanted to see this one so I made the trip out to Byron.
First thing that stood out to me was how much $$$ the Byron school district has. The amount of property that school has for a 3A school is incredible. The stadium was fantastic and would have been an outstanding place to even host the MC/LWE game. They just put a ton of $$ into the facility with a new grandstand and walkways all around the stadium.
IC’s first pass of the game was a dropped bomb that would have been a TD. Wonder how much things would have changed if that ball wasn’t dropped.
Byron is as well coached a team that I can remember. Great at the fundamentals and fantastic sportsmanship.
I found IC’s offense to be extremely frustrating. WR #11 was the best player on the field and they constantly aligned him to the single side by himself and Byron would often dedicate three defenders to him. IC just allowed this all game and he was a non-factor for the majority of the game. Would have liked them to put him in the slot and do more with formations to get him the ball.
IC’s qb didn’t have a good day.
I really enjoyed watching Byron’s qb. All-stater as a Sophomore and also starts at FS. I hate seeing QB’s not play both ways at smaller schools.
These teams were well matched and Byron certainly didn’t dominate the game. Byron scored two late TD’s. If they played 10x I’d say it’d be 5 wins for each team.
First thing that stood out to me was how much $$$ the Byron school district has. The amount of property that school has for a 3A school is incredible. The stadium was fantastic and would have been an outstanding place to even host the MC/LWE game. They just put a ton of $$ into the facility with a new grandstand and walkways all around the stadium.
IC’s first pass of the game was a dropped bomb that would have been a TD. Wonder how much things would have changed if that ball wasn’t dropped.
Byron is as well coached a team that I can remember. Great at the fundamentals and fantastic sportsmanship.
I found IC’s offense to be extremely frustrating. WR #11 was the best player on the field and they constantly aligned him to the single side by himself and Byron would often dedicate three defenders to him. IC just allowed this all game and he was a non-factor for the majority of the game. Would have liked them to put him in the slot and do more with formations to get him the ball.
IC’s qb didn’t have a good day.
I really enjoyed watching Byron’s qb. All-stater as a Sophomore and also starts at FS. I hate seeing QB’s not play both ways at smaller schools.
These teams were well matched and Byron certainly didn’t dominate the game. Byron scored two late TD’s. If they played 10x I’d say it’d be 5 wins for each team.
IC is very young and should return quite a few starters. Should come back and make a deep run next year. Byron played a great game. Excited to see the RB vs Byron game next week
Good chance the best player from each team is lining up with each other in yellow and black in a couple of years.