I8 playoff predictions and week one matchups

[Wilmatucky]

Congrats to all I8 teams making the playoffs! I wish success to all the conference teams as they try to advance each week and hopefully other fans among the conference feel the same way. Let's show them how tough our unified conference will be next year!

Overall Playoff Outlooks

Lisle- Fairly tough quarter of the north. North Boone could prove to be tough in the second round, but I do expect to see the Lions and Tigers (Byron) in a fight of the felines in the quarters. In the end I think that the striped cats win that one. Should be a great game and to be honest if it's at Lisle then I may sway my vote to the home team a little. Although it would be awesome to see Wilmo and Lisle advance to the Semis against each other I just don't think it's in the cards.

Herscher- Second round game against Hall will be a test for Herscher. Wilmington thumped them earlier in the year, so at best Herscher makes it to the Quarters.

Wilmington- I think they have a shot to go to the Semis, or lose first round. Which Wilmo team shows up? I also can't draw a conclusion on Monmouth or Eureka. If they end up with Hall in the Quarters how will that play out? Could be a fun postseason for the cats or a very frustrating one. I would love to see them play Hall, Lisle, or Byron again. All of those matchups would be really fun to watch. I'll say another all feline frenzy in the Semis with Byron winning.

Plano- Their quarter is stacked. First round matchup with richmond-burton isn't exactly what they wanted to see. Then Genoa-kingston if they advance on. Then more than likely Coal City. The reapers future looks bleek.

Coal City- Same as Plano's quarter. Pretty brutal. I truly think that CC is the best team in the quarter but it won't be easy to get there. Toughest game could be the first round. I think they have a chance at a Semi against IC but could see them out in the quarters against RB, or GK.

Looks like if all goes well we could have 4 teams in the quarters! Maybe just maybe 2 in the Semis......

First Round Predictions

Dwight@Lisle- Two old conference foes rekindle their romance. Lisle is the clear favorite especially at home. They play better competition and have been more successful so far. I'll say Lisle by three scores.

Herscher@Chicago Dunbar- Always hard to judge a CPL team and they put up some big points in some of their wins. Makes me nervous that Herscher is on the road, but I still think they I8 prevails due to the competition they play. Herscher by 7.

Wilmington@Monmouth-Roseville- Still not sure about MR and I truly think that this is an even matchup. Overall the schools out in west and central IL don't usually impress me, but their conference has a few decent teams. Wilmington is rolling as of late and I won't pick against them. Wilmo by 10.

Plano@Richmond-Burton- RB is solid. Plano is a decent team but I just don't see them winning. Still got to qualify though so good job Plano. Best of luck to you in your future football endeavors. It's been fun and you grabbed us a few state titles to add to our Resume. RB by 17.

Wheaton Academy@Coal City- Wheaton has lost to some really good teams. However the teams they beat don't appear to be too tough. Coalers are hot and have rolled all season despite injuries. Hopefully they are all healthy and ready to go. I will say CC by 21.

 

[Doctor_D]

Round 1

Coal City will be fine unless their offense goes stagnant like it was for a stretch there mid-season. I think they are healthy now though.

Lisle had an impressive record but not many impressive scores. They still should get by Dwight with no trouble.

Herscher should win handily. Any CPS team not named Simeon or Phillips shouldn’t be too tall a task.

Plano is in trouble, especially if their backfield injuries from week 9 are still out.

Wilmington started off the first half of the season having people wonder if they would make the playoffs, but have really turned it around. Long road trip against a team from a historically pretty decent conference. Should be a tight game. I’ll go with Wilmington by a score.

 

[Coalertown44]

Best of luck to the I8 teams this weekend. Good chance to advance most if not all.

Lisle should bounce back after the one sided loss last week to CC. Like them to win easily at home to Dwight, then get North Boone who is normally a good team. I like them to win that and run in to Byron in the quarters. That is most likely where they will end the season. Lisle 42 Dwight 14

At 5-4, Herscher got a favorable draw in Round 1. Agree with doctor d , any CPS school that is not Phillips or Simeon is winnable for an I8 playoff team. I do not see Hall having an issue with Clark so a Herscher/Hall Round 2 game will be interesting. Herscher 34 Dunbar 13

Wilmington is on a 4 game win streak and has played extremely well when some folks, me included thought they were dead in the water. They have averaged 41 points per game during this run so the offense is definitely clicking. Monmouth has beaten 3 playoff teams and has scored some points in doing so. I think this will be a very tight high scoring game but give the slight edge to Coach Reents and his experience in the playoffs. They will get a very good Eureka team in Round 2. Wilminton 41 Monmouth 34

Plano will face 8-1 Richmond Burton who is a classic tough 4A playoff team. RB has beaten some tough 5A and 6A playoff qualifiers. They will be a tough out. Hearing that their very good running back Coker is injured and haven't heard the status of their QB either. This is a tough game for them even if they are healthy but I expect both to play. Plano puts up a good fight but cokes up short. RB 28 Plano 14

Coal City finally had their offense clicking on all cylinders in the thumping they gave Lisle last week. They definitely need the same thing this Friday. Wheaton Academy is definitely nit your average 5-4 15 seed. Big, tall and athletic on both sides of the ball. Coalers have not faced anyone that throws the ball this much. Coalers do have a very good defense, only giving up 56 points this season. Need to keep the ball out of Wheatons hands and control the clock. I see home field playing a big part in this and the Coalers using the run game to pull out a close win. CC 26 WA 17

 

[PanthersWildcats86]

4A North......

Round 1...Wheaton Academy @ Coal City...The Warriors come out of one of the most vicious small school conferences in the state, the Metro Suburban Blue...Hammered by IC & Mac, decent loss to St. Francis, one point loss to Aurora Christian, beat Metro Red 5-4 champ St. Edward...Since I have CC in the semis, obviously the Coalers win this game, their defense shuts down the Warriors - CC may not be the offensive monster of IC & Mac, but they have the defense...

Plano @ Richmond-Burton...Both of these schools lost to Kishwaukee River Conference champion Marengo at home...Plano lost 31-15, RB lost 14-13...I have to figure the Reapers are done harvesting, RB wins fairly big...

3A North...
Top bracket...

Round 1...Dwight @ Lisle...Congrats to the Trojans for their first playoff trip in years...They visit their former conference foe in the Lions...No common opponents, but Lisle did shut out Herscher who beat SVC champ Clifton Central 17-8...Lions will recover from the drubbing by CC to slay the Trojans easily...

Botttom Bracket...

Herscher @ Dunbar...Never know how good public league teams are, but remember RC beat a 6-3 5A Chicago Brooks 46-12...Have to figure the Tigers can rumble over Dunbar like they did the Panthers last week...

Wilmington @ Monmouth-Roseville...The Three Rivers Conference had a three way tie for the championship at 5-1, MR had the best overall record at 7-2...MR was 2-1 against 2A schools...shut out by co-champ Princeton week 8...Wildcats were 4-1 against 4A schools, and have been on a roll last month...I think they just keep rumbling for a while...

 

[cocacoaler]

Congratulations and best of luck to all of our I8 teams in the playoffs. Very difficult opening round draw for the Coalers. Very much looking forward to Friday night.