Park Ridge Maine East
- Thread starter Trickeration
- Start date
Doctors kids and it also has an incredible honors program called Gifted Lyceum. To the point that’s it’s discussed in academic circles ( many educators in our family ). If that’s a focus in ones family, it’s the way to go.
That 6-0 game against GBS (who would wind up 8-1) was an insane game in a driving rainstorm. If I recall, only score was on a GBS fumble that rolled into their endzone and was pounced on by the Demons.
The Maine South game was the most satisfying, as at the time ME and MS were bitter rivals similar to how Palatine and Fremd are out here where I've lived as an adult. The team was annoyed because Maine South was the only team to score in double digits on that defense during the regular season. Really thought they had a chance to go far in the playoffs, but St Laurence was the defending state champs and they ran the triple option which they hadn't seen all season and got shredded by it. It was stunning because, as you can see, they had only given up 46 points all season up to that point.
Interesting fact, the 1978 team was supposed to be even better. Sun Times had them top ranked in Class 5A pre-season preview even. Those seniors had been 9-0, 9-0, and 9-1 as freshman/sophs/junior year on varsity. But I guess the press went to their heads...they lost 33-0 to Waukegan West week one, dropped a terrible 9-6 game to Maine South for a homecoming loss, and would lose to GBS (who went 9-0 that season after the 8-1 in '77) and wound up 6-3 and out of the playoffs.
But "yes Virginia, there once was a successful football program at Maine East High School.."
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In 1978? To be honest I don't recall the score. I was wondering where you got that list of scores for 1977 actually? I have old yearbooks with the scores in them, but they're up in boxes in the barn up at my in-laws in Sturtevant. My memory was a couple points off in some of those, I thought Waukegan West was 26-0, Waukegan East was 53-0, and Maine West was 13-8.
I know in 1978 as sophomores we beat GBS 24-18. I can tell you all the scores for the 1979 and 1980 varsity teams because I was on them....but there weren't that many "W"s on those lists as that's when the downturn as Maine East started unfortunately...
That is true, and I have heard a good thing or two about that coach. What would be your reason for not liking the hire?
I understand statistically the defense was not great, but I believe the scheme was solid. Plus, hiring a young coach for a program in need of a rebuild might seem to be a step in the right direction.
I agree and applaud them for thinking outside the box. However, I'm a firm believer in putting individuals in positions of leadership that reflect the demographics of the school. That is one way to get that program finally pointed in the right direction.
Tell me where to find a coach that is
White (36.6%)
Black (4.7%)
Hispanic (22.7%)
Asian (32.2%)
American Indian (0.3%)
Two or More Races (3.4%)
Pacific Islander (0.1%)
I know for a FACT that they interviewed qualified coaches of color. Again, the philosophy is just my humble opinion based on years of coaching and being a minority as well.
As a junior on the 77" playoff team it saddens me to see the state of Maine East football and watch the rise of the other side of town. My graduating class of 79' was a combined 31-6 in four years and that with a disappointing senior record of 6-3 (back then that wouldn't get you in the playoffs). As far as Al Eck is concerned, I revered him as a coach when I played for him, however having spent my career coaching at one of the states best programs I can tell you that he had shortcomings in dealing with personnel (bless his soul). He didn't promote his players and get you to your best by believing in you and making sure you knew that as a player. In retrospect, that was probably not atypical of that generation of "old school" coaches. Hats off to my teammates and the other guys that played from 74-79 as that was good football and some great players in blue and white.
I sure do! He actually went to Maine East initially. Helluva quarterback. Too good for the Demons so he transferred to South. I had a gym class with him and we would connect on passes all day. Coach O tried to talk me into playing but I was way too skinny and thought I would get killed out there. Who knows what could have been!!!