If the PLAYOFFS started today (10/19).......

[Catch--22]

~~~~~ 8A ~~~~~

Upper Bracket
#32 Bartlett Hawks at #1 Loyola Ramblers
#17 Evanston Wildkits at #16 Neuqua Valley Wildcats
#25 Plainfield South Cougars at #8 Naperville Central Redhawks
#24 Belleville East Lancers at #9 Barrington Broncos

#29 Glenbard East Rams at #4 Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings
#20 Stevenson Patriots at #13 Curie Condors
#28 West Aurora Blackhawks at #5 Oak Park Huskies
#21 Warren Blue Devils at #12 South Elgin Storm

Lower Bracket
#31 O'Fallon Panthers at #2 Huntley Red Raiders
#18 Sandburg Eagles at #15 Conant Cougars
#26 Fremd Vikings at #7 Brother Rice Crusaders
#23 Lyons Lions at #10 New Trier Trevians

#30 Lake Park Lancers at #3 Edwardsville Tigers
#19 Oswego Panthers at #14 Palatine Pirates
#27 Waubonsie Valley Warriors at #6 Hinsdale Central Red Devils
#22 Marist RedHawks at #11 Notre Dame Dons

--- 2nd smallest school - Edwardsville 2355
--- Smallest school - Conant 2351


~~~~~ 7A ~~~~~

--- Largest school - Maine South 2338
--- 2nd largest school - Simeon 2311

Upper Bracket
#32 Belleville West Maroons at #1 Glenbard West Hilltoppers
#17 Glenbard North Panthers at #16 Eisenhower Cardinals
#25 Oswego East Wolves at #8 Reavis Rams
#24 Rolling Meadows Mustangs at #9 Auburn Knights

#29 Schaumburg Saxons at #4 Batavia Bulldogs
#20 Simeon Wolverines at #13 Lincoln Park Lions
#28 Hoffman Estates Hawks at #5 Normal Ironmen
#21 St. Charles North Northstars at #12 Benet Redwings

Lower Bracket
#31 Addison Trail Blazers at #2 Whitney Young Dolphins
#18 Harlem Huskies at #15 Plainfield North Tigers
#26 Willowbrook Warriors at #7 Geneva Vikings
#23 Hononegah Indians at #10 Glenbrook North Spartans

#30 Pekin Dragons at #3 Libertyville Wildcats
#19 Jacobs Golden Eagles at #14 Lincoln-Way East Griffins
#27 Lincoln-Way Central Knights at #6 Mount Carmel Caravan
#22 Bradley-Bourbannais Boilermakers at #11 Maine South Hawks

--- 2nd smallest school - Eisenhower 1837
--- Smallest school - Reavis 1831



~~~~~ 6A ~~~~~

--- Largest school - TF South 1814
--- 2nd largest school - Cary-Grove 1803

Upper Bracket
#16 Wauconda Bulldogs at #1 Montini Broncos
#9 Grayslake North Knights #8 Lakes Eagles
#13 Deerfield Warriors at #4 Prairie Ridge Wolves
#12 Hampshire Whip Purs at #5 DeKalb Barbs

#15 St. Ignatius Wolfpack at #2 Cary-Grove Trojans
#10 Crystal Lake South Gators at #7 Belvidere North Blue Thunder
#14 De La Salle Meteors at #3 Riverside-Brookfield Bulldogs
#11 Lake Forest Scouts at #6 Kenwood Broncos

Lower Bracket
#16 TF South Rebels at #1 Lincoln-Way North Phoenix
#9 Normal West Wildcats at #8 Richards Bulldogs
#13 Hubbard Greyhounds at #4 Lemont Indians
#12 Glenwood Titans at #5 Thornton Wildcats

#15 Centenniel Chargers at #2 Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones
#10 Rock Island Rocks at #7 Morgan Park Mustangs
#14 Hinsdale South Hornets at #3 Crete-Monee Warriors
#11 Quincy Blue Devils at #6 Oak Forest Bengals

--- 2nd smallest school - Wauconda 1347
--- Smallest school - Morgan Park 1334


~~~~~ 5A ~~~~~

--- Largest school - Kaneland 1329
--- 2nd largest school - Peoria Notre Dame 1295

Upper Bracket
#16 Vernon Hills Cougars at #1 Westinghouse Warriors
#9 Rich Central Olympians #8 Tinley Park Titans
#13 Glenbard South Raiders at #4 King Jaguars
#12 Solorio Sun Warriors at #5 St, Laurence Vikings

#15 Belvidere Bucs at #2 Joliet Catholic Hilltoppers
#10 DuSable Panthers at #7 Nazareth Roadrunners
#14 Kaneland Knights at #3 Sterling Golden Warriors
#11 Sycamore Spartans at #6 Marian Central Hurricanes

Lower Bracket
#16 Mattoon Green Wave at #1 Washington Panthers
#9 Metamora Redbirds at #8 Centralia Orphans
#13 Marion Wildcats at #4 Peoria Notre Dame Irish
#12 Limestone Rockets at #5 Peoria Lions

#15 Jacksonville Crimson at #2 Triad Knights
#10 University Pioneers at #7 Highland Bulldogs
#14 Eisenhower Panthers at #3 Lincoln-Way West Warriors
#11 Dunlap Eagles at #6 Champaign Central Maroons

--- 2nd smallest school - Jacksonville 953
--- Smallest school - Centralia 923


~~~~~ 4A ~~~~~

--- Largest school - Lindblom 908
--- 2nd largest school - Payton 899

Upper Bracket
#16 Wheaton Academy Warriors at #1 Phillips Wildcats
#9 Payton Grizzlies #8 Plano Reapers
#13 Dixon Dukes at #4 Rockford Lutheran Crusaders
#12 Ridgewood Rebels at #5 Geneseo Maple Leafs

#15 Genoa-Kingston Cogs at #2 Manteno Panthers
#10 Agricultural Science Cyclones at #7 Richmond-Burton Rockets
#14 St. Edward Green Wave at #3 Marengo Indians
#11 Johnsburg Skyhawks at #6 Lindblom Eagles

Lower Bracket
#16 Prairie Central Hawks at #1 Althoff Catholic Crusaders
#9 Civic Memorial Eagles at #8 Mater Dei Knights
#13 Richland County Tigers at #4 Taylorville Tornadoes
#12 Mount Zion Braves at #5 Murphysboro Red Devils

#15 Herscher Tigers at #2 Rochester Rockets
#10 Pontiac Indians at #7 Quincy Notre Dame Raiders
#14 Marquette Explorers at #3 Columbia Eagles
#11 Harrisburg Bulldogs at #6 Herrin Tigers

--- 2nd smallest school - Murphysboro 567
--- Smallest school - Phillips 559

~~~~~ 3A ~~~~~

--- Largest school - Breese Central 550
--- 2nd largest school - Carterville 549

Upper Bracket
#16 Monmouth-Roseville Titans at #1 Wilmington Widcats
#9 DePaul Rams #8 Lisle Lions
#13 Erie- Prophetstown Panthers at #4 Bishop McNamara Fightin' Irish
#12 ROWVA Cougars at #5 Elmwood-Brimfield Trojans

#15 Winnebago Indians at #2 Princeton Tigers
#10 Clark Eagles at #7 Byron Tigers
#14 St. Bede Bruins at #3 Immaculate Conception Knights
#11 Farmington Farmers at #6 Raby Raiders

Lower Bracket
#16 Fairfield Mules at #1 St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans
#9 Roxana Shells at #8 Carlinville Cavaliers
#13 Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins at #4 Paxton-Buckley-Loda Panthers
#12 Breese Central Cougars at #5 Bloomington Central Catholic Saints

#15 Pleasant Plains Cardinals at #2 North Mac Panthers
#10 DuQuoin Indians at #7 Marshall Lions
#14 Carterville Lions at #3 Newton Eagles
#11 Unity Rockets at #6 Monticello Sages

--- 2nd smallest school - Elmwood-Brimfield 414
--- Smallest school - Farmington 411



~~~~~ 2A ~~~~~

--- Largest school - Wesclin 409
--- 2nd largest school - Mercer County 408

Upper Bracket
#16 Momence Redskins at #1 Kewanee-Wethersfield Titans
#9 Rushville-Industry Rockets #8 Westville Tigers
#13 West Carroll Thunder at #4 Mendon-Unity Mustangs
#12 Rockridge Rockets at #5 Fieldcrest Knights

#15 Mercer County Golden Eagles at #2 Bismarck-Henning Blue Devils
#10 West Hancock Titans at #7 United Red Storm
#14 El Paso-Gridley Titans at #3 Newman Central Catholic Comets
#11 Christian Life Eagles at #6 Hall Red Devils

Lower Bracket
#16 Carlyle Indians at #1 Pana Panthers
#9 New Berlin Pretzels at #8 Shelbyville Rams
#13 Auburn Trojans at #4 Chester Yellow Jackets
#12 Wesclin Warriors at #5 Lawrenceville Indians

#15 Sparta Bulldogs at #2 Eldorado Eagles
#10 Maroa-Forsyth Trojans at #7 Nashville Hornets
#14 Johnston City Indians at #3 Villa Grove-Heritage Blue Devils
#11 Cerro Gordo-Bement Broncos at #6 Niantic-Sangamon Valley Storm

--- 2nd smallest school - Johnston City 326
--- Smallest school - Bismarck-Henning 326


~~~~~ 1A ~~~~~

--- Largest school - Tri-Valley 325
--- 2nd largest school - Knoxville 322

Upper Bracket
#16 Alden-Hebron Giants at #1 Stark County Rebels
#9 Forreston Cardinals #8 Galena Pirates
#13 Princeville Princes at #4 Polo Marcos
#12 Stockton Blackhawks at #5 Dakota Indians

#15 Warren Warriors at #2 Marquette Crusaders
#10 Deer Creek-Mackinaw Chiefs at #7 Orion Chargers
#14 Knoxville Blue Bullets at #3 Lena-Winslow Panthers
#11 Westminster Christian Warriors at #6 Hope Academy Eagles

Lower Bracket
#16 Triopia Trojans at #1 Tuscola Warriors
#9 St. Teresa Bulldogs at #8 Greenfield-Northwestern Tigers
#13 West Central Cougars at #4 Arcola Purple Riders
#12 Mount Olive Widcats at #5 Tri-Valley Vikings

#15 Decatur Lutheran Lions at #2 Brown County Hornets
#10 Leroy Panthers at #7 Pawnee Indians
#14 Salt Fork Storm at #3 Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Falcons
#11 Georgetown-Ridge Farm Buffaloes at #6 Carrollton Hawks

 

[Catch--22]

I had to split up my post because the nicknames put me over the limit of 100,000 characters.

The cut-off this week was 4-4, 38 pp.... 7 teams have this record. Only 1 of the 7 made the playoffs on the IHSA Outlook (Addison Trail)

I pulled Schurz (7A), Hyde Park (4A), South Shore (4A), Orr (3A), Phoenix Military (3A) and Douglass (1A) out of the playoffs because of the CPS "Chicago" conference rule. It appears that the IHSA already eliminated Steinmetz, Mather, and Foreman because they can't catch second place in their conference. This leaves us with 250 teams.

To choose the final 6 teams this week was easy. I simply take the remaining 6 teams at 4-4/38. They are Alden-Hebron (1A), Triopia (1A), Winnebago (3A), Monmouth-Roseville (3A), Wauconda (6A), and Belleville West (7A). 256 teams, no additional tie-breakers!

The "first team out" is Williamsville at 4-4/37 and 12 victories by their defeated opponents. Milledgeville 7, North Boone 8, Coal City 6, Mahomet-Seymour 6, Galesburg 11, Joliet West, and Bolingbrook 6 are the other teams at 4-4/37.

To balance the classes at 32 each was easy this week too. I had to make only 6 moves overall.

______________________________________________________________________

COMMENTS
The classes got much bigger in enrollment this week, regaining the 100 or so enrollment in each class. Phillips is the smallest team in 4A.... Cary-Grove in 6A. Maine South and Simeon are 7A. GW has several teams between them and 8A.

In 8A, this draw sends H-F back to Stevenson in Round 2. Although this isn't the Stevenson of the last two years, they know H-F and wouldn't be intimidated. ND's reward for a great season is playing the only team they lost to in Marist, with HC waiting in Round 2. Brutal.

After a few weeks of rolling my eyes at 7A, it rounded into shape very nicely. Glenbard West @ Glenbard North in Round 2. We also could see LWE @ Libertyville and Maine South @ Mt Carmel in Round 2.... and they are all in the same quad! However, the WY quad features no traditional powers or elite programs to even challenge Geneva. In my estimation, this draw gives them 3 lay-ups. And while those six juggernauts listed above are destroying each other in Round 2, other matchups could be Reavis @ Roll Mdws and Plain N @ AT.

Cary-Grove is suddenly in Montini's path in 6A. If they stay there, things could be more difficult than expected for the Broncos. That's a battle-tested, big team. Beyond that, 6A remains a head-scratcher for me. Richards @ LWN and Thornton @ Lemont Round 2.

The quads in Upper 5A are very unbalanced. JCA, Naz, and MCC all together, while the opposite quad has zero powerhouse teams. One of the following schools would make the semi's: Westinghouse, King, St. Laurence, Tinley, Rich Central, Glenbard South, Solorio, Vern on Hills.

In 4A, Herscher is now in the lower bracket and avoids the first-round matchup with Phillips.... They get Rochester instead.

128 first-round games, and none of them feature 2 teams with the same nickname. The closest we get is Wildkits at Wildcats.

ENJOY!!!

 

[Bwm57]

Even with 1-32 it seems the higher seeds have very different paths.
I know it will probably all change between now and next Saturday night, but, how would you like to have a great year like Libertyville and be looking at LWE, Mt Carmel and Maine South in your group of 8?
Admittedly those 3 schools may not have their best teams, but they know how to win come playoff time.

 

[Dino brown]

It gets real in the second round for 8a and 7a

 

[capnbillhitters]

Thanks Catch. made my day thinking about having to travel to Glenbard North in week 2, but at least we wouldn't have LVille's draw

 

[NazDad]

It would be disappointing to see a Nazareth-JCA rematch in the second round, and the winner of that game would most likely have to travel to Marian Central for round 3. (Check the long range forecast.)

Thanks for the hard work in putting this together.

 

[Dino brown]

It would be disappointing to see a Nazareth-JCA rematch in the second round, and the winner of that game would most likely have to travel to Marian Central for round 3. (Check the long range forecast.)

Thanks for the hard work in putting this together.

Exactly the Same path Montini had to go threw last year,but the winner of that game will be going to state IMO.

 

[jwarigaku]

Accuweather calling for rain and Snow showers in Woodstock on 11/13-11/14.

It would be disappointing to see a Nazareth-JCA rematch in the second round, and the winner of that game would most likely have to travel to Marian Central for round 3. (Check the long range forecast.)

Thanks for the hard work in putting this together.

 

[JFelice]

It would be disappointing to see a Nazareth-JCA rematch in the second round, and the winner of that game would most likely have to travel to Marian Central for round 3. (Check the long range forecast.)

Thanks for the hard work in putting this together.

Not a sure thing MCC gets through Sycamore and then Kaneland-Sterling in this scenario. Actually I'd take the field.

 

[warriorknight]

Not a sure thing MCC gets through Sycamore and then Kaneland-Sterling in this scenario. Actually I'd take the field.

I haven't seen Sterling play, but I have looked at their results to date. I have seen Kaneland and Sycamore. I would focus on the Sycamore game, as I think that will by far be the tougher of the two potential games. Kaneland plays hard, but doesn't have the horses like what we have become accustomed to.

 

[cmdynasty]

The Warriors of Crete Monee have been looking very good since the lost to Brother Rice. They are very young, but man can they play! 6A should be very exciting!

 

[Wild_Mustang]

The Warriors of Crete Monee have been looking very good since the lost to Brother Rice. They are very young, but man can they play! 6A should be very exciting!

I agree, it would be a shame if Crete-Monee & Hinsdale South met in the 1st round. Save that game for a 2nd round and beyond match up. Both teams are a scary match up.

For some reason 6A looks a lot more loaded than it did 3-4 weeks ago. A lot of good teams, it'll be a dog fight for sure.

 

[cmdynasty]

I agree, it would be a shame if Crete-Monee & Hinsdale South met in the 1st round. Save that game for a 2nd round and beyond match up. Both teams are a scary match up.

For some reason 6A looks a lot more loaded than it did 3-4 weeks ago. A lot of good teams, it'll be a dog fight for sure.

I agree totally! That game would be a great 2nd round game! Crete has to travel to Crystal Lake Friday to play Prairie Ridge. That seems like a playoff game for both squads. North vs. South

 

[hornetnation7]

I agree totally! That game would be a great 2nd round game! Crete has to travel to Crystal Lake Friday to play Prairie Ridge. That seems like a playoff game for both squads. North vs. South

Unfortunately, as a consequence of losing the Willowbrook game (or not closing out a very winnable HC game last weekend) HS will likely end up in the 12 -14 seed range. The results in facing the 3-5 seed (likely CM, Thornton, or LWN). I suspect all school involved would prefer a different 1st round matchup. But it is, what it is. Should be an interesting 1st round in 6A south bracket.

 

[DeanOfSelection]

If that were the bracket, I had assumed all year JC was winning 5A and Montini 6A. But Montini would have to beat PR and Cary back to back and then a LWN perhaps in title or SHG again. JC would have to beat Naz again in round 2 and LWW in final who has some kids on the line.

 

[Wild_Mustang]

Unfortunately, as a consequence of losing the Willowbrook game (or not closing out a very winnable HC game last weekend) HS will likely end up in the 12 -14 seed range. The results in facing the 3-5 seed (likely CM, Thornton, or LWN). I suspect all school involved would prefer a different 1st round matchup. But it is, what it is. Should be an interesting 1st round in 6A south bracket.

I know, that Willowbrook game absolutely killed them, I mean they could have gone 9-0 if you think about it but they didn't and that's all that matters. Maybe they get lucky and play Kenwood in the 1st round, how sweet would that be. I just have a feeling it's going to be Lemont or Oak Forest in the 1st round. I just know it is.

 

[hornetnation7]

I know, that Willowbrook game absolutely killed them, I mean they could have gone 9-0 if you think about it but they didn't and that's all that matters. Maybe they get lucky and play Kenwood in the 1st round, how sweet would that be. I just have a feeling it's going to be Lemont or Oak Forest in the 1st round. I just know it is.

Correction, I think either CM, Thornton, or Lemont in 1st round for HS.. Not sure why I think about LWN.

 

[Dino brown]

I know, that Willowbrook game absolutely killed them, I mean they could have gone 9-0 if you think about it but they didn't and that's all that matters. Maybe they get lucky and play Kenwood in the 1st round, how sweet would that be. I just have a feeling it's going to be Lemont or Oak Forest in the 1st round. I just know it is.

HS will be fine and should have a good run in the playoffs

 

[cmdynasty]

Not if they have to face any of those teams mention above. Those are all outstanding teams we're talking about.

 

[cmdynasty]

The LWN vs. LWW game should be a big one this weekend. It could switch a lot of things around.

 

[Wild_Mustang]

HS will be fine and should have a good run in the playoffs

For sure, been saying it all along. I was just saying that the loss to Willowbrook killed them in reference to an easier 1st round game. 7-2 is a big difference than 6-3, which I'm sure you know.

HornetNation and I have been saying it all year that South can beat anyone and everyone, I've had to tell him to pump the breaks a few times but we have both agreed that they are and always have been legit. In fact, we've taken a lot of flack for it.

 

[Hinterland]

The south bracket of 6A, as others have indicated, looks to be loaded. I see the top teams in this group as Lemont, Crete-Monee, Hinsdale South, Lincoln Way North and Harvey Thornton (if they remain in 6A). I do not have SHG in this first group because I believe the teams I have mentioned had a much tougher regular season schedule than the Cyclones, so I am not that convinced that their current record of 8-0 indicates who they really are (Sorry, Coach Parcells!!). I may move them up a bit if they look overpowering in this Friday's game against Rochester.

 

[Wild_Mustang]

I do not have SHG in this first group because I believe the teams I have mentioned had a much tougher regular season schedule than the Cyclones, so I am not that convinced that their current record of 8-0 indicates who they really are (Sorry, Coach Parcells!!). I may move them up a bit if they look overpowering in this Friday's game against Rochester.

Uh ohhhhh, get ready to take some heat for that. I'll sit back and wait for the comments.

 

[badfrog68]

The LWN vs. LWW game should be a big one this weekend. It could switch a lot of things around.

Can't wait until Friday night for this one! Could knock LWN out of a # 1. I will be there and hope it lives up to it's billing (even though it did not make the top ten games in Edgy's pick em game).

 

[cmdynasty]

Lol! So true.

 

[Hinterland]

Uh ohhhhh, get ready to take some heat for that. I'll sit back and wait for the comments.

You could be right, Mustang, but I have been much tougher on them on other boards in the past. After all, I did say I'd probably move them up to the favorites if they shine against Rochester. I do not think I'll get many comments however. Didn't you know that there isn't any football below I-80, at least according to some.

 

[CCLB sucks]

Any chance Br. Rice and Marist match up in the first round? We know how IHSA likes pinning catholic schools against each other in first couple rounds and this would a perfect scenario especially with the two programs not being able to agree on a deal to play earlier this season. Just seems like with Rice having an excellent season and Marist probably going finish 5-4 this would be the best chance for these two to face in the playoffs. Thoughts?

 

[JFelice]

Why do people not understand how the ihsa "seeds"? You can make a bias argument about North and South locations to an extent but actual seeding is a transparent numbers game.