Should JCA be worried about the Redbirds?

pjjp

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I'm not sure how any team that finished 5-4 can afford to look ahead, especially one that basically got running clocked in three of their losses.

I would expect Metamora to be similar to Benet...big and physical.

Since we are fans and can look ahead, don't overlook Highland. Very high scoring team that was in 4A last year (played Rochester tough) and is undefeated again this year.
 

Hill1729

Freshman
Aug 3, 2017
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I know all about metemora in the past. I tried to find some film on them from this year and couldn’t. I don’t underestimate them. I more look at the schedule of a team. So just more curious if anyone has knowledge of them. Personally and just going over their schedule nothing about it scares me.
 
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Metamora will not be able to stop JCAs running game. The intangible in this game is. JCA’s defense stopping Metamora’s running game. This should be a 38-35 score type game. Is Metamora’s field grass or turf?
 

mc140

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
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Hillcrest QB is out for the year. Don't need to worry about them either.
 

Cat Box

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Sep 23, 2012
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The title of this thread immediately makes me want JCA to lose.

Then I realize the coaching staff and players won’t be foolish enough to approach the game this way. They will give Metamora the respect they deserve.

Should be a great game between two very physical teams.

Metamora by 6.
 

Stable42

Redshirt
Oct 24, 2017
38
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Not just the running game you need to worry about with Metamora. They have a very good QB who can run and throw it. Many think he will be D1 when its all said and done.

Agree with Cat Box above. The entitlement in the name of the thread is laughable.

Outside of the name and past accomplishments should Metamora be worried about JCA? JCA plays a great schedule but who did they beat? Of the top notch teams they played who did they actually even compete with? If the two traded schedules I would think their records would be the same.(5-4 birds/8-1 JCA)

No dog in the fight and could be wrong but I think it will be a great game.
 

pjjp

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Outside of the name and past accomplishments should Metamora be worried about JCA? JCA plays a great schedule but who did they beat? Of the top notch teams they played who did they actually even compete with? If the two traded schedules I would think their records would be the same.(5-4 birds/8-1 JCA)

No dog in the fight and could be wrong but I think it will be a great game.
With the game being in Metamora, the Redbirds are the clear favorite, IMO. I would expect the home field advantage to be significant for many reasons.
 
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LakeCtyNewt

All-Conference
Nov 13, 2002
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With the game being in Metamora, the Redbirds are the clear favorite, IMO. I would expect the home field advantage to be significant for many reasons.

Nothing like a good conspiracy theory. Will this one be played on a grassy knoll?
 

LakeCtyNewt

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Seems as if you inferred a few things from my post that I did not intend. Please expound for the class.

Well you posted that “I would expect home field to be a significant advantage for many reasons.” Other than playing better what “reasons” besides football would their be?
 

pjjp

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Well you posted that “I would expect home field to be a significant advantage for many reasons.” Other than playing better what “reasons” besides football would their be?
1. Game is on grass. First game JC will play on grass.
2. Was at the 1999/2000 championship games. Metamora has one of the largest, most rabid fan bases in the state. The Hilltoppers have never played Metamora at their place. From talking to some of their fans over the years, there is no love lost for Chicago area private schools, especially one who has beaten the Redbirds twice in Championship games. I know that many of their fans are relishing the opportunity to have the game at their place. Because of all of that, I expect the loudest, most partisan environment the Hilltoppers have faced all year. It will be a very difficult road test, and one I'm very much looking forward to seeing firsthand.

Where's the conspiracy?
 
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Jchill-1

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Jul 3, 2018
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They play RPO a lot. They throw a little more then they run. I expect them to come out throwing. No, JCA is not taking them lightly. They know about Metamora wanting revenge. But this JCA team is riding a high after last weeks upset. They are wearing that underdog tag proudly. They know they have a lot to prove still. I expect them to come out angry and mean. They are not looking past this game. They will be ready just like the St Rita game. I expect a hard hitting war in the trenches. Going to be a great game for sure. Can’t wait.
 
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cocacoaler

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Feb 12, 2018
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Looking forward to a great first weekend of playoff football! Coalers on Friday night, and looking forward to going to Metamora Saturday night, for what I think is gonna be a fun game to watch!
 
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pjjp

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Not sure if revenge is much of a factor. The last time these teams played, most of the current players weren't even born.
Did Pat Ryan coach those 1999 and 2000 games? Is it possible he might impart some of the history on the players? Is it possible it might provide some additional motivation? Is it possible some of the players or their families have a connection to those prior games? Is it possible that might be communicated to current players?

Look, not saying the history will matter much to the current players, but having some history with a team will impact the game environment, IMO.
 
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4hhsbulldog

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Oct 21, 2017
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Either way I’m sure the Metamora kids have heard about old championship games and it will give them some sort of extra inspiration. IMO
 

Voodoo Tatum 21

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Should JCA be worried about the Redbirds?

Should Metamora be worried about the Hilltoppers?

I would say yes to both questions. This is the playoffs. If you overlook what might be perceived as an outmatched opponent - you will then get “Waubonsied” and a 30/31 seed knocks off a 2/3 seed.
 
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Cat Box

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Not sure if revenge is much of a factor. The last time these teams played, most of the current players weren't even born.

It won't matter much to the Metamora players - but it will matter a lot to the Metamora fans, of which there will be many and quite loud. They will inspire the players. That's how it works.

[2018] Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, IL) 35, [2018] Metamora (IL) 31

I still say Metamora by 6...
 
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I think JCA will win the line of scrimage and the running back won’t do much, that said I do want Meta to win though so I hope they can pass the ball,
 

Penlight

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
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For kicks I listened to the Peoria Journal Star "Sports Writers" podcast on the playoffs for Central Illinois teams.
My takeaways from their views on the Hilltoppers vs. Metamora game was:
  • All three-(3) writers picked Metamora to win
  • One writer's opinion was that "this is not your father's JCA team"
  • It is really a shame that they are meeting in the 1st round because it feels like it should be a Quarter-Final or Semi-Final match up
  • Since Metamora did not make the playoffs last year and because of the program's history with JCA, "the atmosphere will be electric"
  • They have cancelled Saturday night's Barn Dance because of this game ........ no, that is just me trying to pull a few legs
  • One writer stated: "To win, Metamora must 1.) Run the ball; 2.) Control the clock; 3.) Minimize mistakes; 4.) Protect the ball ... and if they do those things they should be alright" (the 4 leaf clover of football) -- then one writer seemed to say that formula would give them a 60/40 chance
  • Thomas Hall (QB) sat out the last game and coach Pat Ryan is being coy on the severity of his shoulder injury, which has locals on the edge of their seats

Seems like a reasonable prognostication from my perspective. I am looking forward to an entertaining and spirited game and experience.

Good luck to both teams and hopes for an injury free contest.
 
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pjjp

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Good stuff, penlight.

I expect an "electric atmosphere" as well. You just can't beat a small town playoff football setting, especially a football-crazed community like Metamora.
 

Cat Box

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For kicks I listened to the Peoria Journal Star "Sports Writers" podcast on the playoffs for Central Illinois teams.
My takeaways from their views on the Hilltoppers vs. Metamora game was:
  • All three-(3) writers picked Metamora to win
  • One writer's opinion was that "this is not your father's JCA team"
  • It is really a shame that they are meeting in the 1st round because it feels like it should be a Quarter-Final or Semi-Final match up
  • Since Metamora did not make the playoffs last year and because of the program's history with JCA, "the atmosphere will be electric"
  • They have cancelled Saturday night's Barn Dance because of this game ........ no, that is just me trying to pull a few legs
  • One writer stated: "To win, Metamora must 1.) Run the ball; 2.) Control the clock; 3.) Minimize mistakes; 4.) Protect the ball ... and if they do those things they should be alright" (the 4 leaf clover of football) -- then one writer seemed to say that formula would give them a 60/40 chance
  • Thomas Hall (QB) sat out the last game and coach Pat Ryan is being coy on the severity of his shoulder injury, which has locals on the edge of their seats

Seems like a reasonable prognostication from my perspective. I am looking forward to an entertaining and spirited game and experience.

Good luck to both teams and hopes for an injury free contest.

Nice recap, Penlight.

Ironically, I've been to one Barn Dance in my life and it was in Joliet. No joke. My fraternity at NIU hosted a date dance at a barn just outside Joliet. We got a ride there and back in two school buses. DJ and dancing in the barn. Massive bon fire outside the barn. There were 4 guys out of about 60 of our members who were JCA alumni. I think one of them set up the event. This would have been about 1988-1989. Good times!
 
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USD24

All-American
May 29, 2001
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Nice recap, Penlight.

Ironically, I've been to one Barn Dance in my life and it was in Joliet. No joke. My fraternity at NIU hosted a date dance at a barn just outside Joliet. We got a ride there and back in two school buses. DJ and dancing in the barn. Massive bon fire outside the barn. There were 4 guys out of about 60 of our members who were JCA alumni. I think one of them set up the event. This would have been about 1988-1989. Good times!
If it was 1988-89, they would have been JCHS, not JCA alums. ;)
 
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