ICCP, Best Ever...

[Cat Box]

There are three teams that were far and away better than the class 3A field. These teams have been discussed as "the best ever" in class 3A. According to CalPreps, the 2016 version of ICCP is the best ever. Check out these matchups...

2012 Aurora Christian beats 2015 Bishop Mac 35-31
2012 Aurora Christian loses to 2016 ICCP 27-31
2015 Bishop Mac loses to 2016 ICCP 28-35

Would love to have seen ICCP play a CCL schedule this year.

 

[godfthr53]

I would have loved to see Driscoll vs ICCP.

 

[ClownBaby]

There are three teams that were far and away better than the class 3A field. These teams have been discussed as "the best ever" in class 3A. According to CalPreps, the 2016 version of ICCP is the best ever. Check out these matchups...

2012 Aurora Christian beats 2015 Bishop Mac 35-31
2012 Aurora Christian loses to 2016 ICCP 27-31
2015 Bishop Mac loses to 2016 ICCP 28-35

Would love to have seen ICCP play a CCL schedule this year.

For best ever 3A teams what about the Kaneland squads of the late 90's or the Hickey Thompson lead Bellville Altoff team in the early 90's?

 

[zbotl21]

Mac 15 vs ICCP 16 would be evenly played out IMO. Mac D did enough to slow Rowell twice in 2015, but Ricobene improved play in '16 vastly improved the offense of ICCP.
Looking back, can't believe how mac beat Plainfield north during that 2015, considering the year they had in 2016.

 

[crusader_of_90]

For best ever 3A teams what about the Kaneland squads of the late 90's or the Hickey Thompson lead Bellville Altoff team in the early 90's?

Since you brought it up ... in addition to Hickey and Darond (played in the MLB and was Althoff's best ever athlete), we had two linemen go to Nebraska, another to Notre Dame, one to Mizzou and a tight end wound up playing center at Wash U, as well as eventual D3 D player of the year at linebacker.

 

[Cat Box]

For best ever 3A teams what about the Kaneland squads of the late 90's or the Hickey Thompson lead Bellville Altoff team in the early 90's?

What year did the IHSA go from 6 to 8 classes?
Were those 3A squads under the old 6 class system?

 

[crusader_of_90]

What year did the IHSA go from 6 to 8 classes?
Were those 3A squads under the old 6 class system?

1999-2000 School year.
http://www.ihsa.org/SportsActivities/BoysFootball/RecordsHistory.aspx?url=/data/fb/records/index.htm

 

[CCL65]

IC's point differential was 721 - 94. Is that like some kind of record?

 

[eagles2k3]

The only other 3a team that I could compare was 1999 Byron. Sean considine at rb.

 

[Wassup13_rivals219252]

The 3A Driscoll state title teams (although most were in 4A) were better than this years ICCP team and Driscoll had more talent across the board. DC played in a tougher conference.

I would say the AC team with Mayes, Chad Beebe and that RB now at NIU was a better team than ICCP also.

Wassup

 

[CCL65]

Driscoll had more talent across the board

Well, not at QB, RB LB or DB, IC also had more speed. Driscoll was huge on both lines, much like this years St.Laurence.

 

[eagles2k3]

Well, not at QB, RB LB or DB, IC also had more speed. Driscoll was huge on both lines, much like this years St.Laurence.

I would say Driscoll's best team was 2005 or 2007 in 4a. Both years would've been tough against this year's IC. Their 3a team, which had a lot of close games, IC would beat handily. They almost lost to Wilmington and were thoroughly outplayed that game minus the scoreboard.

 

[Doctor_D]

I would say Driscoll's best team was 2005 or 2007 in 4a. Both years would've been tough against this year's IC. Their 3a team, which had a lot of close games, IC would beat handily. They almost lost to Wilmington and were thoroughly outplayed that game minus the scoreboard.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Driscoll 2004 snuck into 3A barely (thanks Manteno). Wilmington nearly (and probably should have) beat them. Losing Mr Vercelli late in the 2nd quarter was a big blow.
At any rate, this year's version of ICCP would have beat either of this two teams by at least a couple scores. Just too many big play weapons, big agile line, big fast defense....
ICCP is the gold standard of 3A for sure in the 8 class era.

 

[Robert Maszak]

From a public school side, the '04 Wilmington team tends to go unnoticed because they lost to Driscoll 14-11 in the quarters. Wilmo had two crucial fumbles, one returned for a TD, in a game they let slip away. Probably the most physical HS football game I've seen in person. There were just some spectacular athletes all over the field on both sides. Wilmo's '05 graduating class was unreal. Cool read if you're bored:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...92_1_state-baseball-title-rob-murphy-athletes

 

[Robert Maszak]

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Driscoll 2004 snuck into 3A barely (thanks Manteno). Wilmington nearly (and probably should have) beat them. Losing Mr Vercelli late in the 2nd quarter was a big blow.
At any rate, this year's version of ICCP would have beat either of this two teams by at least a couple scores. Just too many big play weapons, big agile line, big fast defense....
ICCP is the gold standard of 3A for sure in the 8 class era.

No doubt losing Vercelli was huge. Ankle if I remember correctly. I think it was Tranchitella (sp?) who returned the fumble that was the nail in the coffin.

 

[Doctor_D]

The 3A Driscoll state title teams (although most were in 4A) were better than this years ICCP team and Driscoll had more talent across the board. DC played in a tougher conference.

I would say the AC team with Mayes, Chad Beebe and that RB now at NIU was a better team than ICCP also.

Wassup

Disagree.
Maybe if that AC team also had Maddie then we can talk. Maddie graduated the year before.

 

[Doctor_D]

No doubt losing Vercelli was huge. Ankle if I remember correctly. I think it was Tranchitella (sp?) who returned the fumble that was the nail in the coffin.

Yes. Fumble return for like a 65 yd TD and another fumble recovery inside Wilmo 5. Wilmington had to wait another 10 years for their state title.

 

[CCL65]

But because of the enrollment differences, IC and Driscoll would not have been in the same class, then or now. It is like arguing how Driscoll would have done against some of the better 5A champs, or maybe how they would fare with Rochester or Phillibs in today's 4A.

 

[Wassup13_rivals219252]

We will have to agree to disagree, As a team I will take the DC teams over IC.

 

[CCL65]

Different classes, different opposition, so it's hard to quantify. IC's 14 game point differential is the new state record at any level, and that's counts for something. I think they running clocked every playoff game. Scored 49 points on Wilmington in only 18 plays from scrimmage. Took on 6A semi St. Laurence before their injuries and suspensions and scored 63! However, if there was a trophy for best private champ that did it with local neighborhood talent, Driscoll wins hands down at any level. Can't argue that.

 

[Robert Maszak]

Different classes, different opposition, so it's hard to quantify. IC's 14 game point differential is the new state record at any level, and that's counts for something. I think they running clocked every playoff game. Scored 49 points on Wilmington in only 18 plays from scrimmage. Took on 6A semi St. Laurence before their injuries and suspensions and scored 63! However, if there was a trophy for best private champ that did it with local neighborhood talent, Driscoll wins hands down at any level. Can't argue that.

They didn't clock Wilmo

 

[Cat Box]

Took on 6A semi St. Laurence before their injuries and suspensions and scored 63!

This seals the deal for me...
The 2012 Aurora Christian team hammered St. Francis 41-14 and Marmion 38-14, but neither of those teams were as potent as the St. Laurence team IC beat this year.

AC nearly defeated Montini that year - Bronco came from behind and won in the last 2 minutes of the game 31-27. Had AC beaten Bronco that night I may have argued for 2012 AC being better than 2016 ICCP, but that did not happen.

 

[BretEpic]

I just found out yesterday Matt Bowen coaches at ICCP. I freaking love Matt Bown. Dude sweats footballs.

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

This seals the deal for me...
The 2012 Aurora Christian team hammered St. Francis 41-14 and Marmion 38-14, but neither of those teams were as potent as the St. Laurence team IC beat this year.

I don't think it's a particuarly meaningful deal you are sealing with a 4-loss Larry as ICCP's signature win.

 

[Cat Box]

I don't think it's a particuarly meaningful deal you are sealing with a 4-loss Larry as ICCP's signature win.

How far did Larry go in the 6A playoffs? Oh yea..... they went to the semi-finals.
Larry beat Benet.... who went to the 7A semi-finals.
Larry finished top 10 in the Tribune poll.
When Larry was healthy, they were very good. And IC hung 63 points on them.
If the IC win over Larry was not their signature win, what was?

 

[CCL65]

Then, by default, I guess it goes to IC. The Driscoll comparisons were interesting until we found out it would always be 3A vs.4A. So who's left? We could jump to a new thread on Driscoll vs. '15 Phillips, as that's a bit off topic for this one.

 

[CCL65]

one last bit on this. My IC antagonist at work says that what we saw in Champagne was a dummied down offense as their QB was practically immobile with a bum knee. Yeah, whatever. Then he led me to this high lite clip. This is crazy good and worth watching for entertainment value alone

 

[JLPlayer73]

There are at least 2 former SCC teams now in the CL Green that have open pre-season dates available...whatdya say? Time to get the band back together for a couple of shows?

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

How far did Larry go in the 6A playoffs? Oh yea..... they went to the semi-finals.
Larry beat Benet.... who went to the 7A semi-finals.
Larry finished top 10 in the Tribune poll.
When Larry was healthy, they were very good. And IC hung 63 points on them.
If the IC win over Larry was not their signature win, what was?

Larry squeaked through the first three rounds by a total of 11 pts. They then lost by 12 in the semis against a team that lost by 31 in the finals.

As for Larry beating Benet, a shutout victim in the 7A semis, that was a nice win. Too bad they couldn't have had nice wins against Marmion and Iggy.

Not suggesting that Larry isn't ICCP'S signature win. I AM saying that Larry finished at 9-4. How many losses would they have to have for you to assign less meaning to that particular W for ICCP?

Happy as heck that ICCP won 3A. I'm just not hopping on the bandwagon that has the Knights as better than one half of the 8A playoff field, much less better than all but four teams statewide.

Remember, I'm the guy that would have them being in classes where they are competitive with the majority of schools in that class. If that ever came to be, where all schools were so classified, then I could easily see that particular team playing up substantially higher than 3A. But definitely not 7A or 8A.

 

[Cat Box]

Larry squeaked through the first three rounds by a total of 11 pts. They then lost by 12 in the semis against a team that lost by 31 in the finals.

As for Larry beating Benet, a shutout victim in the 7A semis, that was a nice win. Too bad they couldn't have had nice wins against Marmion and Iggy.

Not suggesting that Larry isn't ICCP'S signature win. I AM saying that Larry finished at 9-4. How many losses would they have to have for you to assign less meaning to that particular W for ICCP?

Happy as heck that ICCP won 3A. I'm just not hopping on the bandwagon that has the Knights as better than one half of the 8A playoff field, much less better than all but four teams statewide.

Remember, I'm the guy that would have them being in classes where they are competitive with the majority of schools in that class. If that ever came to be, where all schools were so classified, then I could easily see that particular team playing up substantially higher than 3A. But definitely not 7A or 8A.

Can't argue with anything you laid out above.
When at 3A team handles a quality 6A team like Larry, it's a statement win.

Back in 2012 Aurora Christian laid wood to 5A St. Francis 41-14 and 6A Marmion 38-14 but those wins were (perhaps) not as impressive as ICCP beating Larry because Francis and Marmion were not semi-final qualifiers.

Too bad 2012 AC did not hang on to defeat Montini who won 5A that year. Then this topic would be moot.

 

[Wassup13_rivals219252]

Driscoll never took their ball and went home to join a much weaker conference which broke up a very strong SCC conference because the 3 M's were beating up on them.

Time to put the band back together and for IC to join the CCL.

 

[eagles2k3]

Driscoll never took their ball and went home to join a much weaker conference which broke up a very strong SCC conference because the 3 M's were beating up on them.

Time to put the band back together and for IC to join the CCL.

Let's all do what Driscoll did...where are they now??Lol

In al honesty I agree with you but when the scc broke up montini, Francis and marmion were at higher level than the other schools. I didn't agree with the move by IC then but I understand what they were trying to do. I'd say the time is right for a move to the ccl.

 

[Doctor_D]

IC played very vanilla in the title game after taking the 15-0 lead.
Wilmington was not ready for how good of a runner Ricobene was, and then he went 65yd TD on the first play.
Already had to worry about all these fast skill kids and then they throw that at you. Last time I saw a Wilmington team get taken apart like that was PJ Fleck and Kaneland.
Ricobene didn't run much the semis or the finals. Not that they needed him.
As far as signature win... the big school guys here have a cloudy judgement IMO when it comes to small ball, but a 3A team beating a 6A semifinalist is kind of rare.

 

[CCL65]

Time to put the band back together and for IC to join the CCL

They got 300 students. Where do they fit on the schedule?

 

[chirocal44]

ICCP played their scheduled opponents and did a solid job. DC had a solid 7 year run. Ic has a lot of work to get back to back titles. The kids played their butts off and did what was asked of them. Powers to be will put the band back together soon. All of the scc people will very excited to that weekly competition back. ICCP has loads of work to do before they have the depth (300 kids) to compete in the ccl green. That process has begun. They are only as good as their next game. Great season is different than a great program. Let's see what happens.

 

[JLPlayer73]

ICCP played their scheduled opponents and did a solid job. DC had a solid 7 year run. Ic has a lot of work to get back to back titles. The kids played their butts off and did what was asked of them. Powers to be will put the band back together soon. All of the scc people will very excited to that weekly competition back. ICCP has loads of work to do before they have the depth (300 kids) to compete in the ccl green. That process has begun. They are only as good as their next game. Great season is different than a great program. Let's see what happens.

Cal,

Refreshing, but I'm not surprised because it's coming from you.

Frankly, I don't see the old SCC, as we knew it, coming back together. The manner in which the "SCCexit" was conducted was less than honorable. Principals and athletic directors were completely caught off guard. Attempts were made to undermine the credibility of coaches. Professional relationships were hamstrung. Machiavelli would have been proud.

Fortunately the Chicago Catholic League and ESCC were flexible enough to take on many of the old SCC schools. I would be surprised if MCC leaves the ESCC. I'd be shocked if MCHS leaves the Catholic League, and surprised if MA leaves as well. MCHS has proven on the field that it can compete with CCL Blue & Green teams. If you consider their schedule over the past decades, Montini desires to compete against the best programs in Illinois (Palatine, Main South, Lake Zurich, Mount Carmel, East St. Louis, Sacred Heart Griffin, Joliet Catholic etc).

A new SCC would be tantamount to a comparison of the Knights Hospitaller to the current Knights of Malta.

73

 

[Cat Box]

ICCP played their scheduled opponents and did a solid job. DC had a solid 7 year run. Ic has a lot of work to get back to back titles. The kids played their butts off and did what was asked of them. Powers to be will put the band back together soon. All of the scc people will very excited to that weekly competition back. ICCP has loads of work to do before they have the depth (300 kids) to compete in the ccl green. That process has begun. They are only as good as their next game. Great season is different than a great program. Let's see what happens.

ICCP needs to join the CCL.
AC needs to be convinced to stay in the CCL.
Move Iggy and Larry up to Green.
Combine the remaining White/Red divisions as follows...

B-Mac
ICCP
Aurora Christian
Leo
DePaul
St. Joes

Crossovers with Green teams only - no Blue teams.
Get agreement with Metro Suburban Conference teams for out of conference games.

 

[UlbKA91]

Whats going on with AChris? And are AuCentCath and St.Eds in as dire a straits as Guerin? (Although I can see why you woudnt want to saddle Mac, ICCP, and AChris with 2 more games against perceived lesser opposition)

 

[Cat Box]

Whats going on with AChris? And are AuCentCath and St.Eds in as dire a straits as Guerin? (Although I can see why you woudnt want to saddle Mac, ICCP, and AChris with 2 more games against perceived lesser opposition)

With enrollment of only 255 kids (420 multiplied), playing in the CCL White is a disaster. They have to play a CCL Blue and Green crossover, plus division games vs. Ignatius (1387) and Laurence (1597). That leaves little room for error when a 5-4 record is needed to get to the playoffs. A school with 255 kids has no business playing 4 games against 6A, 7A, 8A teams.

The only solution is for the CCL to recruit other 3A-4A teams into the fold (read ACC, St. Ed's, ICCP, Guerin, Chicago Christian) and eliminate futile cross-over games. The CCL needs to cultivate a better environment. Otherwise, small CCL schools will seek alternate conference options where the playing field is more level.

I hope the CCL figures it out, expands the conference and creates a truly competitive environment. The current structure is broken.

 

[eagles2k3]

With enrollment of only 255 kids (420 multiplied), playing in the CCL White is a disaster. They have to play a CCL Blue and Green crossover, plus division games vs. Ignatius (1387) and Laurence (1597). That leaves little room for error when a 5-4 record is needed to get to the playoffs. A school with 255 kids has no business playing 4 games against 6A, 7A, 8A teams.

The only solution is for the CCL to recruit other 3A-4A teams into the fold (read ACC, St. Ed's, ICCP, Guerin, Chicago Christian) and eliminate futile cross-over games. The CCL needs to cultivate a better environment. Otherwise, small CCL schools will seek alternate conference options where the playing field is more level.

I hope the CCL figures it out, expands the conference and creates a truly competitive environment. The current structure is broken.

It wasn't long ago the AC was competing with those big schools. I remember you or someone else from AC proclaiming the school was in the same realm as a montini. IC went through that for years playing in the SCC, lots of good teams that didn't make the playoffs. It's tough but it also shows character when you break out every few years and make the playoffs by beating those schools. I don't think those things you're asking for are anywhere near happening btw.