Trying to get a handle on the teams out that way. What was the deal with East beating Boylan for first time in 28 years? That was very surprising. Also, it seemed like Auburn was the favorite out there before the season and should finish 8-1 but what happened in loss to Boylan? Was that a going vs. the old HC thing?
Question for Rockford Folk
- Thread starter DeanOfSelection
- Start date
I'm in the suburbs now, but still follow along with scores Friday night. And read an online publication throughout the week that has a decent amount of coverage. Here's my thoughts from what I've picked up and heard from a couple coaches I'm in touch with.
Boylan - This is a good Boylan team. Better than last year. But not as good as the teams that won conference 6 years in a row (was it that many years)? Loss against East was a bit of a blip on the radar, had 5 TO's. Will probably make the 2nd round of the playoffs depending on their match up in 6A. Got a couple new assistants on defense, looks like it has helped. I think this is roughly what they will be the next few years.
Auburn - Played really bad against Boylan from what I could gather. More mistakes, sloppy play, than Boylan beating them. QB has been out the last few weeks, and I think done for the year. But, they have gotten hot the last few weeks and are playing well. Big on the lines, fast at the skills. 5th year for Appino. Depending on match-ups my guess is another quarter final run in 6A. Not sure they can throw it now, but they can block it and run it. And, Appino can coach. Could be down the next couple of years, lose alot from this SR class.
Harlem - Can't stop anyone, can score points. Don't see them advancing out of the 1st round in 7A. Not sure they are as big as they have been in the past. The team that almost beat St. Rita a few years back was pretty good, they have been a little down since. Coach has been there 10+ years, does a good job. Good program.
Hononegah - QB is hurt? Out? They have had some coaching turnover. Don't see them advancing out of the 1st round in 7A. Not sure they are as strong up-front as they have been in the past. Could just be a blip, could be up in the next few years. I don't have much info.
Harlem and Hononegah seem down from years past, IMO.
Guilford - All of a sudden they are really bad. May not win a game. Not sure, not much info.
East/Jefferson - Signs of life. Year 2 for both coaches. From what I've read they have gotten the kids involved in the off-season, which wasn't the case in the past. Finish with 3-4 wins most likely. There's some talent in the halls at both schools. East had a kid transfer in from Lutheran, Jefferson had a kid transfer over from Auburn. East does some weird stuff scheme wise running the ball, but the kids appeared to have bought in, which is what matters.
Freeport - Shrinking enrollment. Program is struggling.
Belvidere - Only 60-70 guys in the program? 30 on varsity? Good QB, 2 good WR's, not much else. Depending on their match-up for the playoffs either get bounced early in 5A.
Belvidere North - Should have beat Harlem, were non-competitive against Hono and Auburn. Played better last few weeks. Could get to 5-4 if they beat East and Boylan. Most likely will finish 4-5. Double the kids from Belvidere in the program. Would be a bad match-up for a 6A first round game since they run the triple option. Can score, not much D.
Rockford Lutheran - Playing better recently. Should go 7-2 and could make a run. Life goes on after James Robinson.
Byron and Genoa-Kingston are the top small schools this year.
Boylan led 14-6 after 2 possessions and then fell apart with 5 turnovers. A roughing the kicker call on a missed East fg attempt led to a East TD. Too many mistakes. Cacciatore is 4-1 against Appino. Boylan was able to keep Auburns big play ability in check with some solid defense. I was surprised how well we were able to run the ball against Auburns huge D line. Auburn is playing really well right now. Could be a tough 6A draw with all the size and speed.
Belvidere is going to shock 5A I'm not saying they are going to make a deep run they could make a short run this year. Numbers don't mean anything. Only 11 can play at a time. The offense can run and pass over any defense. Only team to destroy this team was Auburn and that's because they have college size lineman on both sides of the ball. They compete against higher level teams which will help them. Should be 5-2. Got screwed out of a win Vs Harlem and ran out of time Vs Hononegah. Belvidere is a team to keep a eye on in the playoffs.
All depends on the matchup.
1. Do you start with a CPS school?
2. Do you start with Sterling?
I know what I would want....
This is just all gold. It's everyone else's fault that they have losses. You forgot to mention that all their wins are against teams with losing records.
5A is breathing a big sigh of relief knowing the 31 defensive coordinators in 5A won't have to figure out how to stop the vaunted Belvidere offense.
I was shocked when getting updated on that Bucs score. Also, Jefferson beating Harlem?? All nic-10 teams might be out 1st round unless they get an extremely favorable matchup. I'd like to see one of them make a run, but I'm not sure that will happen. I'd say Boylan/auburn have the best shot, just depends on what team shows up that night.
I agree completely. I would not be shocked if we lose every 1st round game. East and Jefferson are much better with their new coaches. Guilford is in need of a change- they were really bad at all levels.
Freeport was 7-1-1 on the freshman level and 6-3 on the sophomore level. They have some talent there, but will be young next year as the jr class is low on numbers. They have a McShane that is a JR and is very explosive. 2018 is probably the year they will be looking at to make it back to the playoffs. Enrollment is holding steady around 1200, but is still well behind the others in the league with schools in the high thousands and some 2000's.
They played Auburn very well on Friday. To be honest they should have won. I don't know if that says more about them being better than their record or Auburn not being as good. I wouldn't be surprised if all the NIC-10 teams lost in the first round. The top teams have seem to come down a bit and the bottom teams have gotten better. Quite the parody throughout the leauge. I would say Belvidere North underachieved quite a bit. I thought they would contend for the league title and they finished 4-5.
They played Auburn very well on Friday. To be honest they should have won. I don't know if that says more about them being better than their record or Auburn not being as good. I wouldn't be surprised if all the NIC-10 teams lost in the first round. The top teams have seem to come down a bit and the bottom teams have gotten better. Quite the parody throughout the leauge. I would say Belvidere North underachieved quite a bit. I thought they would contend for the league title and they finished 4-5.
North really did. Was supposed to be a veteran group, QB back, FB back, big on the o-line with some returners. 4-5 and weren't competitive with Hono or Auburn, blew lead against Harlem in the 4th. Boylan pulled away late and lost to South. I think they were young on defense. Will be interesting to see how they do in 17. Also, does Belvidere get more kids out in 17?
I expect 2 Nic-10 wins 1st round, wouldn't be surprised if no one won. Also, Rita is good and Viator is pretty tough as well. Some really, really tough draws.
I think the top end of the conference is down, the bottom is the same, but the middle has risen up, with all the upsets this year. Boylan looks to be 08/09 good, not 06/07 good, and not anywhere close to 11/12 good.
From what I've gathered on the board. East and Jefferson should probably be thought of as 4-6 win teams from here on out. Guilford is having some real issues. Freeport has some hope the next few years. And Boylan is back. Harlem and Hono have appeared to settled down after a good 6-7 year run.
Is east's enrollment way up? I saw 1900 the other day, didn't they used to be around 1400 kids?
RPS used to be open zones so I assume their enrollment was way down because everyone used to go to Guilford. The addition of zones some 7-10 years ago has evened out the talent somewhat. Auburn has their loopholes through the gifted academy and ROTC to get whomever they want, but for the most part everyone is balanced out.
Thats roughly what I was assuming. I think Auburn's deal is the CAPA program though (Creative and Performing Arts). From what I've heard, the Gifted program and ROTC are on the up and up, CAPA not so much.
I have always wondered if Guilford, Jefferson or East coaches have ever questioned or complained about those special programs. It would be interesting to know how many students, who live outside of the boundaries participate in athletics at Auburn. I guess it would only be a big deal if Auburn coaches were using these loopholes as an advantage.
I guess kids can find an easy excuse to transfer, like say, if a school offers an elective class that the original school doesn't. They can use the cirriculum as an excuse to transfer.
I know East, Guilford's, and Jefferson's basketball coaches are irate with RPS 205. Have complained numerous times to the District AD and upper Admin. Auburn has had several kids transfer in from Jefferson and East over the last 3-4 years and gotten a few kids from Winnebago.
Boylan will be without Caleb Henderson (knee injury) as he is out for the rest of the season. I think the key will be forcing St. Viator to pass. Their QB has a strong arm but has thrown some picks. Cole Kmet will be a problem on both sides of the ball. Definitely a tough matchup as the Lions are battle tested.