Morris vs. Wilmington thread

[4Afan]

Where are all my ICE guys at? What's the consensus on Wilmo this year? Do they have a lot coming back?

Not sure what to make of this one. I see Morris winning by at least 2 scores. It may be close early, but Morris is pretty big on both lines and will wear the Wildcats down. Reents will have his team more than prepared, but I think this game is too much for them. I think Wilmington will score on their opening drive before Morris figures it out, but not sure if their defense will be able to stop the Morris offense.

What does Wilmington's pass defense look like this year? Did they scrimmage anyone last week?

Morris 38
Wilmington 17

 

[Doctor D]

Yeah, this will be a very tough test for Wilmo. They have a decent amount starters returning, but Morris has size and depth and skill that will make for a difficult challenge.

Wilmo did not play a scrimmage game this past weekend.

Morris looked impressive from what I saw of their scrimmage vs DeKalb.

Wilmo is probably a top 5 3A team, but Morris is probably a top 5 5A team. The Cats will have to bring their A game for sure. They will probably need to get a special teams or defensive score, and maybe even get a little creative with a trick play or something, although the game plan will certainly be to average 3.4 ypc and burn the entire play clock every possible possession.

Should be fun. Will be the first Morris game I’ve been to in quite a while.

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

Reents always has his kids ready to play, so Wilmo will show up. However, based on what I've heard in and around the I-80 area all summer, the Skins are too big, too fast, and too deep. I will be shocked if this one is still close in the second half.

Playoff Outlook: If the Cats land in the 2A, they have a legit chance to win it all. If they land in 3A, it's a much tougher road especially if they're 7-2. The Coal City game week 9 is huge.

 

[4Afan]

Yeah, this will be a very tough test for Wilmo. They have a decent amount starters returning, but Morris has size and depth and skill that will make for a difficult challenge.

Wilmo did not play a scrimmage game this past weekend.

Morris looked impressive from what I saw of their scrimmage vs DeKalb.

Wilmo is probably a top 5 3A team, but Morris is probably a top 5 5A team. The Cats will have to bring their A game for sure. They will probably need to get a special teams or defensive score, and maybe even get a little creative with a trick play or something, although the game plan will certainly be to average 3.4 ypc and burn the entire play clock every possible possession.

Should be fun. Will be the first Morris game I’ve been to in quite a while.

Agree with your breakdown. Either way it will be a great gameday atmosphere. No doubt Wilmington will fill the visitors side and then some.

 

[crusader_of_90]

Where are all my ICE guys at?

If you REALLY wanna know where ICE guys are ... https://deportationtracker.live/

 

[4Afan]

If you REALLY wanna know where ICE guys are ... https://deportationtracker.live/

 

[CCIce10]

Wildcats lost a few good ones from last year. If they can replace them and with a little luck, could give Morris a problem. I'll ignorantly venture a wild guess of 21-7 Morris having seen nothing of either team.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

As an outsider I think Morris wins easily. Might not be 42-0 but they have full control of the game.

 

[Roamin' Catholic]

As an outsider I think Morris wins easily. Might not be 42-0 but they have full control of the game.

Unless Wilmo is just way down this year, I don't think they'll get skunked that bad. I'll put it at 35-21, my uneducated guess... Morris are absolutely the favorite though.

 

[4Afan]

Unless Wilmo is just way down this year, I don't think they'll get skunked that bad. I'll put it at 35-21, my uneducated guess... Morris are absolutely the favorite though.

As long as Reents is there Wilmington will never be way down. I would not be surprised if this is a one score game at half. I just think Morris has too much for them to handle and will pull away in the 2nd half.

 

[Doctor D]

I think it will be all about if Wilmo can sustain some drives. If yes, they will burn clock and keep the Morris offense off the field. If no, it will be a long night for the Cats.
Morris defense looked big and fast to the ball vs DeKalb.
Wilmo is no stranger to going against teams that outweigh them, but as stated numerous times, Morris might be a different animal and is the clear favorite at home here.

 

[cornerrat#1]

All.... Fwiw Wilmington at 406.00 this year with the old two year enrollment average eliminated and new rules with multiplier waivers appear on the 2A large/3A small cut line. (postseason placement) A possible bubble team . Won't know though till late in the season. Let the games begin.... Ratsy

 

[4Afan]

All.... Fwiw Wilmington at 406.00 this year with the old two year enrollment average eliminated and new rules with multiplier waivers appear on the 2A large/3A small cut line. (postseason placement) A possible bubble team . Won't know though till late in the season. Let the games begin.... Ratsy

We'll see, but in his preseason playoff projection Soucie had them firmly in 3A.

 

[Siu477]

All.... Fwiw Wilmington at 406.00 this year with the old two year enrollment average eliminated and new rules with multiplier waivers appear on the 2A large/3A small cut line. (postseason placement) A possible bubble team . Won't know though till late in the season. Let the games begin.... Ratsy

Wilmington is 432 this year.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Wilmington is 432 this year.

They are using 2024-2025 to determine this years classifications, so 406.

The figure listed under "Enrollment" is the school's enrollment provided by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for the 2024-25 school year, adjusted by the IHSA according to Policy 17. This figure is used to determine classification for most sports and activities during the 2025-26 school year.​

 

[STIX815]

They are using 2024-2025 to determine this years classifications, so 406.

The figure listed under "Enrollment" is the school's enrollment provided by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for the 2024-25 school year, adjusted by the IHSA according to Policy 17. This figure is used to determine classification for most sports and activities during the 2025-26 school year.​

This is correct and Wilmington is at 406 which will most likely put them in 2A. It seems they made some recent changes on the IHSA website because a week ago they were at 432 as Siu477 said above.

 

[Doctor D]

Wilmo at 406 enrollment sounds good.

 

[4Afan]

Wilmo at 406 enrollment sounds good.

AP has them at #2 in 3A so they'll be ranked there all season, but what do they know.

 

[Doctor D]

AP has them at #2 in 3A so they'll be ranked there all season, but what do they know.

Yeah that’s fine. At 406 they are likely on the good side of the bubble, but I guess you never know for sure, especially this early.

 

[Siu477]

IHSA site says otherwise

 

[Siu477]

IHSA School Enrollments (Numeric)

In case you want to check for yourself.

 

[4Afan]

IHSA School Enrollments (Numeric)

In case you want to check for yourself.

Maybe you were lookikg at last year's numbers. Here's a screen grab when I organize by enrollment on the IHSA site.

 

[Doctor D]

 

[Siu477]

Yea. The link I added is 25-26 but I see what you are saying. Thx for the clarity guys.

 

[AlabamaTimberwolf]

Wilmington 35-26... Running the ball and discipline wins games. You could flip it if its raining.

 

[4Afan]

No rain in the forecast, but if Wilmington has it's way and dictates the game, no chance that many points are scored.

How do you flip it if it's raining? So if it's raining Morris' passing attack will succeed???

 

[SiuCubFan8]

IHSA School Enrollments (Numeric)

In case you want to check for yourself.

Your link was from March 2025, not sure why but that is the issue....it is 406 for this school year.

 

[skinsfootball]

Much respect for the Wilmington program. But, bias aside, I watched this Morris team do very well against 7a and 8a schools this Summer (DeKalb/ Minooka). They are fast and physical on both sides of the ball. I don't think Wilmington has the firepower to hang with them. If Morris plays to their potential, and I have no reason to believe they won't, a running clock is very much in play Friday night.

 

[AlabamaTimberwolf]

No rain in the forecast, but if Wilmington has it's way and dictates the game, no chance that many points are scored.

How do you flip it if it's raining? So if it's raining Morris' passing attack will succeed???

Unless Morris has returned to runnin the ball... But since rain will not be an issue I will lean Wilmington. The thing that I want to see is how Morris handles themselves should Wilmington control the clock and bleeds the game away with long drives. Kids today are hyper-emotional and things could implode quickly should things not go as thought. Have you heard many people picking Wilmington over Morris? I have not.

 

[4Afan]

Unless Morris has returned to runnin the ball... But since rain will not be an issue I will lean Wilmington. The thing that I want to see is how Morris handles themselves should Wilmington control the clock and bleeds the game away with long drives. Kids today are hyper-emotional and things could implode quickly should things not go as thought. Have you heard many people picking Wilmington over Morris? I have not.

That's definitely a concern. I see this game being decided early. If Wilmington gets the ball first, does their thing, then Morris gets the ball and their drive stalls, and Wilmington walks down the field again it could be 14-0 with only 4 minutes left in the first half.

On the other hand if Morris gets the ball and puts up a couple of quick scores and gets a stop or two, is Wilmington capable of coming back with their offense.

This game sets up very much like a Notre Dame/Navy game. Morris is the deserving favorite, but if they let Wilmington dictate the pace of play it could get real interesting.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

I think Morris pushes them around all night, maybe I am way off base here.

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

It's good to see the Coalers up there but I don't think I would put them ahead of Morris

Class 4A
Rank School Total Points
1. Lombard (Montini) (8) 88
2. Rochester 70
3. Mount Zion 60
4. Coal City 53
5. Morris (1) 45
6. Springfield (Sacred Heart Griffin) 40
7. Breese (Central) 26
8. Dixon 21
(tie) Metamora 21
10. Highland 13

 

[Roamin' Catholic]

It's good to see the Coalers up there but I don't think I would put them ahead of Morris

Class 4A
Rank School Total Points
1. Lombard (Montini) (8) 88
2. Rochester 70
3. Mount Zion 60
4. Coal City 53
5. Morris (1) 45
6. Springfield (Sacred Heart Griffin) 40
7. Breese (Central) 26
8. Dixon 21
(tie) Metamora 21
10. Highland 13

I saw a poll today that had both Morris AND Rochester behind CC... like one of 'em I get, but both? Not a chance my guy

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

I think Morris pushes them around all night, maybe I am way off base here.

Definitely not off base. I'm a Cats fan, but no way their offense goes in there and puts drives together against the Morris D. Wilmo needs a tremendous effort from their kicking game if they have any hope of flipping the field.

 

[4Afan]

For those that can't make the game.

Boys Varsity Football • Watch Now

Watch live events, past livestreams and recent highlights for Morris Community High School in Morris, IL.

fan.hudl.com

 

[Doctor D]

Wilmo write up for those that subscribe to FND

2025 IHSA football preview: Wilmington reloads for another playoff run, now without all-time rushing leader

Wilmington enters 2025 having graduated Kyle Farrell, their all-time leading rusher, but Ryan Kettman leads a talented senior class back to the gridiron.

www.shawlocal.com

 

[ScottyC37]

We'll see, but in his preseason playoff projection Soucie had them firmly in 3A.

I think that was based on the 432 enrollment..