Let's look at facts - you lost at home to a team that played without arguably one of their best plays.
Johnsburg played the same team on their home field with that best player in uniform. Gave up more yards but.....last time I researched this kinda thing, gave up fewer points. Which, in the end, is all that matters.
Your theories about how Manteno did this hadn't how many yards per play did that mean nothing. You're whining that Herscher is better also means nothing.
You had a chance to prove it and failed. Your team was not good enough. Phillips was better that night Johnsburg was better last night. Now they will play for a state title - not some mythical calculation that you wanna use to somehow make yourself feel better.
Deal with it. We won't ever know if Herscher was better because they weren't good enough to get to where Johnsburg is.
My sensibilities aren't offended - my amazement at you somehow wanting spin this into a positive for Herscher just makes me laugh.