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Epic 1A Contest - Lena-Winslow @ Aurora Christian (57-14 final)

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Cat Box

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Epic match-up between the AP top ranked teams has the feel of a State Championship game…

1. 6-3 Aurora Christian 193 (15)
2. 8-1 Lena-Winslow 182 (4)

The game is on the Aurora Christian turf – there will absolutely be a home field advantage.

AC is coming off a 41-0 victory over previously undefeated and #1 ranked Princeville who averaged 40 points per game and gave up only 5 points per game on defense. AC shut out that team and allowed only 115 total yards of offense while stacking up over 150 yard rushing and nearly 300 yards passing. AC is playing their best football right now.

Lena-Winslow is coming off a 49-14 victory over Chicago Orr. L-W is firing on all calendars right now and playing with a high level of confidence.

Both teams have large, strong lines. AC averages about 260 lbs. across the front. L-W features a 6-3, 285 lb. All-State wrestler and a 6-3, 240 lb. DE/FB with verbal commit to Iowa. Both teams have quality wrestling programs – AC has 4 wrestlers on Defense. AC defeated #1 Lena-Winslow/Stockton 37-24 last year in the Class 1A quarter finals on their way to winning the State Championship. The low pad level battle in the trenches will be brutal.

Two very different playing styles.
L-W has a clock-control, grinding power running game. AC has a fast-paced spread offense.

L-W is out of the Upstate Northwest Illini Conference which has produced the 1A State Champion 6 of the last 8 years! L-W has won the State Championship in 2017, 2013 and 2010. This program knows how to win. Coach Ric Arand has coached L-W to playoff appearances in 20 of the last 21 years, has a 179-61 record (.746 winning percentage). Impressive!

AC took 4th place in the Metro Suburban Blue behind 4A Immaculate Conception, 3A Bishop McNamara and 5A St. Francis. AC brings Class 3A State Championships from 2011, 2012 and a Class 4A runner-up in 2008. AC is not your typical 1A squad. They don’t play any 1A schools during the regular season. This will be the only year AC will appear in the Class 1A playoffs as they will earn back the 1.65 multiplier and bump back up to 2A next season.

Cal Preps - neutral field
[2018] Lena-Winslow (Lena, IL) 38, [2018] Aurora Christian (Aurora, IL) 27
 
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Voodoo Tatum 21

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Like AC in this one. Their reg season has gotten them ready. It will take LW a quarter to get used to seeing that level of play on the other side of the Line of scrimmage from them. AC has seen it from IC and B Mac

On an unrelated topic,.. I think AC would beat Herscher High School. Thoughts? Am I wrong?
 
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Wilmatucky

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Voodoo Tatum 21 said:
Like AC in this one. Their reg season has gotten them ready. It will take LW a quarter to get used to seeing that level of play on the other side of the Line or scrimmage from them. AC has seen it from IC and Bancorp.

On an unrelated topic,.. I think AC would beat Herscher High School. Thoughts? Am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Haven't seen AC play, but looking at their results from the season I would say it's possible. Herscher seems to be up and down kind of like Wilmo was.
 
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Cat Box

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Voodoo Tatum 21 said:
Like AC in this one. Their reg season has gotten them ready. It will take LW a quarter to get used to seeing that level of play on the other side of the Line or scrimmage from them. AC has seen it from IC and Bancorp.

On an unrelated topic,.. I think AC would beat Herscher High School. Thoughts? Am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Voodoo - you are stirring the pot with the Herscher reference. Is our "friend" even on the board anymore? I blocked him so don't have any visibility.
 
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Voodoo Tatum 21

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Sorry - yes I was fishing. I caught myself a Wilmatucky! But I was fishing for HHS/BBCHS.

Sorry Wilma. I was trolling. I have no idea how an AC/Herscher matchup would really go. I wanted to see if a certain “someone” was lurking and would take my bait! I think he got the permanent flush - I thought for sure he would be going hot and heavy in the I8 thread this year but I have not been able to spot him.
 
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Wilmatucky

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I know it was about 7 years ago and obviously their school enrollment has changed but AC beat Wilmo. So they are clearly capable of hanging with a solid 3a team.

I assumed you were trolling but figured I'd throw that out there. I honestly forgot about that tool from Herscher until you brought it up. I did have my suspicions that Panthers86 was him but after reading more and more posts I don't believe so anymore.
 
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Voodoo Tatum 21

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Wilmatucky said:
I know it was about 7 years ago and obviously their school enrollment has changed but AC beat Wilmo. So they are clearly capable of hanging with a solid 3a team.

I assumed you were trolling but figured I'd throw that out there. I honestly forgot about that tool from Herscher until you brought it up. I did have my suspicions that Panthers86 was him but after reading more and more posts I don't believe so anymore.
Click to expand...

I have been able to spot him thru two user names accross 2016, 2017, 2018,...but have not seen him since the great dumpster fire thread back in March. I think he is gone for good. But I’m always keeping my eye out for “signs”
 
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Cat Box

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Wilmatucky said:
I know it was about 7 years ago and obviously their school enrollment has changed but AC beat Wilmo. So they are clearly capable of hanging with a solid 3a team.

I assumed you were trolling but figured I'd throw that out there. I honestly forgot about that tool from Herscher until you brought it up. I did have my suspicions that Panthers86 was him but after reading more and more posts I don't believe so anymore.
Click to expand...

Wilma - I was at that AC-Wilmo game back in 2011. Cold night. Hard fought contest. Wilmo faithful traveled well.
 
Brad0710

Brad0710

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AC wins if weather not a factor. 1a/2a teams don't see 4 and 5 wide hardly ever. Have no concept how to even mimic it in practice let alone against a team that runs it year after year.
 
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colbert

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This is one of the most intriguing small-school match ups in recent memory - a physically-imposing team from northwest Illinois, a traditional hot bed of 1A football versus a suburban pro-set type team that is accustomed to playing much larger enrollment schools.
 
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eagles2k3

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Excited for this one. Le win is tough but AC has faced a much tougher schedule. Toss up imo.
 
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Cat Box

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Ogre5530 said:
Lena by 2 scores.
Click to expand...

CalPreps has Lena by 2 scores also. And CalPreps is scary accurate (usually).

Except for last week...

CalPreps did not project Aurora Christian winning a 41 point margin shutout. Not even close. The truth is, Aurora Christian has a much better run defense than anyone gives them credit for.

Lena is larger and stronger than Princeville so I see them racking up more yards and first downs. This game is going to be about finishing drives vs red zone defense and limiting turnovers.

In the end I think AC offense is simply too dynamic for Lena. I’m sure AC film gave Lena coaches and players fits. They are very difficult to prep for.
 
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Cat Box

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AC 3 and out to start from their 17
Punt to LW 47.
LE 3 and out
Punt to AC 25

LW sack and fumble. LW recovers on AC 25.
A first down then run left by 88 in for TD.
8-0 Panthers.
 
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Cat Box

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Another LW grinding TD on the ground. Benefiting from good starting field position after 15 yard personal foul on AC extra point.

LW up 15-7

AC return to 40 yard line.

AC 3 and out. Punt to 29. Lena takes over as 1st Q ends.
 
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Cat Box

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Lean Oline dominating. Another TD running left each time by #88.

22-7 LW
8 minutes to play in half
 
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Cat Box

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AC back on track with the passing game. Big plays and a TD.

14-22 Lena
7 minutes to halftime.
 
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Cat Box

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LW big run Gaines. Covers 80 yards in one minute.

29-14 Lena.

That’s 4 TD in their last 4 possessions.
 
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Cat Box

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Big INT by Lena almost returned for TD.
AC holds on 4th and 1.

Eagles driving with under 3 minutes in half.

4th and 1 AC on 31. AC converts.
1 minute to half. AC at 15 first and 10.

Lena holds. AC field goal attempt no good.

29-14 halftime score.
 
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Cat Box

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LW scores on opening drive.
36-14 Lena.

If AC doesn’t score here it could really fall apart.
 
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Cat Box

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AC nice drive but intercepted on Lena 15.

Lena driving. Distributing the ball to three really good backs with speed and size. Excellent blocking up front.

Lena again. Extra point blocked.
43-14

Lena looks like a 4A squad. They remind me a lot of Bishop McNamara. LW is the best team in 1A. Easily.
 
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Cat Box

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AC Oline not effective blocking. QB no time in the pocket. Fails to convert on 4th. LW takes over in AC territory.

LW scores fast.
50-14
 
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Cat Box

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AC drops TD in end zone then fails to score.
Clock running. This one is over.

Congratulations to Lena-Winslow and their quality football team. They played mistake free football today.
 
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Ogre5530

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Not surprised they won, but over 500 rushing! Wow! Looks like that bigger school schedule made no difference! 1A football runs through NW illinois. Nuic will have a state representation for the 15th time out of the last 16 years,
 
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