Does Bennet have a chance vs East St Louis?
- Thread starter Vikrite
- Start date
Because GBW and LWE are in 8a now and no traditional powers other than ESL are alive. If you watch the games though I disagree.
It has been interesting reading this thread and the board through out the year in how dismissive people are of Benet and the lack of understanding of this team by people who have obviously not actually seen them play. These “experts” are looking at scores posted somewhere or looking at what a HS team did 5 years ago, which to them somehow has relevance to this year.
Everyone focuses on offense. Offense is not their strength, Benet is led by the defense on which there is not a single “superstar” player, it is a great defense comprised of a bunch of very good players playing team defense. The type of defense that slowly strangles/frustrates the opposing offense. Those are the type of defenses that can shut down break out athletes. Last week against Rolling Meadows (3rd highest scoring offense in 7A) the defense gave up zero points and stopped 5 RM drives in the red zone, 3 inside the 10. In the second round against the highest scoring offense in 7A, they allowed 14 points. Granted those were not ESL, but, they were not nothing. Its a very good defense.
During the regular season, Benet played 7 teams that made the playoffs, 1 of which is still in (St. Laurence). Yes they did play an 0 for Marian Catholic and a down JCA, but, they played those other 7 teams. ESL played 4 teams that made the playoffs. Yes they did play (and beat) an Edwardsville but they also played 5 teams that did not make the playoffs and 3 of those teams had a combined 3-24 record.
Benet’s 2 losses were to St. Laurence when they were missing a LB and their best DB due to injury and to Marist. In the Marist game they were down 3 points with 9 minutes to go DESPITE their QB being out the entire 2nd half, that game hinged on a single play in the 4th quarter. Please don’t give me the Marist lost in the first round bit either b/c many of the same “experts” on this thread predicting ESL blowout had Marist in a blowout prior to the NT game.
Long story short, Benet did not have some cakewalk to get to the Semi’s. Just like ESL did not, both teams deserve to be here.
ESL is a very good team, but, they have weaknesses too, this is the not the ESL of Brian Cox’s years. They get flagged, a lot. They give up seam passes. The offense, while it has phenomenal players, is predictable/non-deceptive. Their kicking game is weak enough that they only attempted 1 kicked PAT against RM and it was not good. In a close game that can matter, Benet won games this year with 25+ yard FG’s one of which was with 10 seconds on the clock. Most of ESL players go both way, kudos for their athleticism, but, in a slugfest does fatigue become a factor at the end of a game?
This is going to be a close hard fought game between 2 very good teams. Benet has been overlooked every game this year, they are used to these games, almost every game they played this year was close. On top of it, Benet enters the game with NO injuries, everyone is healthy. Benet wins 24-20
Everyone focuses on offense. Offense is not their strength, Benet is led by the defense on which there is not a single “superstar” player, it is a great defense comprised of a bunch of very good players playing team defense. The type of defense that slowly strangles/frustrates the opposing offense. Those are the type of defenses that can shut down break out athletes. Last week against Rolling Meadows (3rd highest scoring offense in 7A) the defense gave up zero points and stopped 5 RM drives in the red zone, 3 inside the 10. In the second round against the highest scoring offense in 7A, they allowed 14 points. Granted those were not ESL, but, they were not nothing. Its a very good defense.
During the regular season, Benet played 7 teams that made the playoffs, 1 of which is still in (St. Laurence). Yes they did play an 0 for Marian Catholic and a down JCA, but, they played those other 7 teams. ESL played 4 teams that made the playoffs. Yes they did play (and beat) an Edwardsville but they also played 5 teams that did not make the playoffs and 3 of those teams had a combined 3-24 record.
Benet’s 2 losses were to St. Laurence when they were missing a LB and their best DB due to injury and to Marist. In the Marist game they were down 3 points with 9 minutes to go DESPITE their QB being out the entire 2nd half, that game hinged on a single play in the 4th quarter. Please don’t give me the Marist lost in the first round bit either b/c many of the same “experts” on this thread predicting ESL blowout had Marist in a blowout prior to the NT game.
Long story short, Benet did not have some cakewalk to get to the Semi’s. Just like ESL did not, both teams deserve to be here.
ESL is a very good team, but, they have weaknesses too, this is the not the ESL of Brian Cox’s years. They get flagged, a lot. They give up seam passes. The offense, while it has phenomenal players, is predictable/non-deceptive. Their kicking game is weak enough that they only attempted 1 kicked PAT against RM and it was not good. In a close game that can matter, Benet won games this year with 25+ yard FG’s one of which was with 10 seconds on the clock. Most of ESL players go both way, kudos for their athleticism, but, in a slugfest does fatigue become a factor at the end of a game?
This is going to be a close hard fought game between 2 very good teams. Benet has been overlooked every game this year, they are used to these games, almost every game they played this year was close. On top of it, Benet enters the game with NO injuries, everyone is healthy. Benet wins 24-20
I have watched them play and that is why I think they lose by more than 21 pts
The vaunted ESL kicking game might make the difference in the heavy wind
I am in agreement with you that the Benet D is very underrated and the key to their chances of winning. If they can hold ESL to 21 or less they have a shot at a W. My big big concern with Benet is on the offensive side of the ball. A big/athletic Dline gave them huge trouble (see Marist game) and got their QBs knocked out of the game which is why they were down to their 3rd string QB in the second half and why Marist ran away with the game in the second half of the 4th quarter. If Benet can execute quick passing game and slants and the Oline can hold up, there is a chance. I don't think the odds are good for that and hence my 38-10 ESL prediction. We will know for sure in a few hours when the game is finished.
Very impressed with the Benet D. They hung tough all game and made 3 to 4 goal line stands to keep Benet in the game. They never gave up and played a very good game I thought. They should hold their heads high after this game.
I was very worried about the other side of the ball per my pre game posts and unfortunately my worries were somewhat justified. That said - I personally think ESL D might be the best defensive unit in the state regardless of which class (8A, 7A, 6A etc).
Great run in the playoffs Benet! Congrats.
I was very worried about the other side of the ball per my pre game posts and unfortunately my worries were somewhat justified. That said - I personally think ESL D might be the best defensive unit in the state regardless of which class (8A, 7A, 6A etc).
Great run in the playoffs Benet! Congrats.
TPF, you should have taken the bet...I was pretty close to the number.
On a side note, I feel really bad for Fenwick and your players. Really tough way to finish a great season.