The other 8A semifinal thread
- Thread starter MS4EVER
- Start date
I'd be very worried about MS with the experience the coaching staff. Palatine made a run last year but after watching them on TV against St. Charles East their offense really struggled. I'd predict MS will win 21-7.
Without Oles I think Maine South should pull it out. In fairness I haven't seen Palatine play but MS is on a roll.
To win offensively Palatine needs to be able to challenge MS vertically and stay committed to the run. I would think without Oles they probably run more and I believe you can run on MS a little bit.
Defensively Palatine needs to slow down 41, don't think you can really stop him but if he is able to break a few long TDs it could be tough for Palatine as I have to think they don't want to get in a shootout. Other keys are to keep #4 in the pocket. Identify when #9 is in the slot. They also need to have their speed option rules down as MS was able to get some nice plays off of it. Though the under center speed option was just a GREAT call.
To win offensively Palatine needs to be able to challenge MS vertically and stay committed to the run. I would think without Oles they probably run more and I believe you can run on MS a little bit.
Defensively Palatine needs to slow down 41, don't think you can really stop him but if he is able to break a few long TDs it could be tough for Palatine as I have to think they don't want to get in a shootout. Other keys are to keep #4 in the pocket. Identify when #9 is in the slot. They also need to have their speed option rules down as MS was able to get some nice plays off of it. Though the under center speed option was just a GREAT call.
So, in Palatine's defense..St Charles East's defense had given up 115 pts in 11 games before Saturday..an average of 10.4 per game..an exceptionally good defense. So them scoring 10 was right about as could be expected.
On the other hand, St. Charles East's offense had scored 436 points in 11 games prior, for an average of 39.6. On Saturday they scored 6. They had 88 yards offense and 8 first downs and their only score on the first drive of the game...they had 5 first downs the rest of the game.
Palatine's defense has surrendered a total of 170 pts thru 12 games, but I was looking back at a number the "comfortable" games when the second string defense played significant time, and actually their first string defense has given up 124 points...which is an average, also, of 10 points a game. And what's the mantra about with side of the ball wins championships?
Palatine is playing without it's all-state QB and their top wideout has a cast half way up his arm, so that has limited them. That said, they've seen two r-e-a-l-l-y top notch defenses in the last two weeks in Lyons and St Charles East and found a way. I think they'll have an easier time with Maine South's defense actually.
So it's all gonna come down to how well Palatine contains that QB and RB, and doesn't let them go over the top to that 6'6" receiver when they're in need. One of those TD passes seemed awfully lucky and I couldn't believe LWE left that RB uncovered on that 4th and 1. They have to stop the big plays, which historically they've been very good at doing.
Common opponents:
Palatine 34, Glenbrook South 13
Maine South 34, Glenbrook South 21
Palatine 41, New Treir 21
New Treir 27, Maine South 21
I like their chances for something like a 28-21 Palatine victory.
OK I'll simplify everything:
Can Palatine's backup QB throw the ball or not? If he can't MS wins comfortably. If he can this will be a game.
Not having watched any film, I think Palatine has been building to this game for three years and they want this game as vindication for last year's close call.
I think MS is glad to be here with a team that learned some hard lessons along the way.
If MS plays loose in the "glad to be here" kinda way, They could put Pal on their heels playing catch up. That is not the game I would want to play.
Toughest call of this game will belong to Pal HC if he wins the toss. Sure it is easy to start on defense and get the ball to start 2nd half, but if MS hits a home run on that first drive...that ball will be a little tighter in the hands of the backup QB. I love Pal but think MS could run a hide if they get up a couple of scores. Again, no film, just outside impression.
I think MS is glad to be here with a team that learned some hard lessons along the way.
If MS plays loose in the "glad to be here" kinda way, They could put Pal on their heels playing catch up. That is not the game I would want to play.
Toughest call of this game will belong to Pal HC if he wins the toss. Sure it is easy to start on defense and get the ball to start 2nd half, but if MS hits a home run on that first drive...that ball will be a little tighter in the hands of the backup QB. I love Pal but think MS could run a hide if they get up a couple of scores. Again, no film, just outside impression.
I do my best sir.
As for the actual play I bet LWE had QB sneak in mind. It might have been an ad-lib by the QB seeing there was no one in Frankfort that could stop the Greek Freak.
Sorta my early feel....but those damn Palatiners just won't quit. Like a Monty Python movie
Absolutely none. Keeping my mouth shut on this one, other than to wish both teams well. May the best team win.
Here's my take on what happened. In the MS Barrington game(tape that LWE had) MS went under center 3 or so times. Each time they ran QB sneak. LWE saw under center 4th and 1 figured QB sneak. Doubt it was an adlibbed think it was specifically planned that if they got 4th and short that was going to be a play call
SCE had a 10 min TD drive to start the game Saturday. That backup QB marched down the field and scored the next possession. I don't like playing the transitive property game, but he seemed comfortable in the situation.
Great point. I just wonder if MS has proven that they can score gobs of points on high quality teams...more so than SCE. I have a ton of respect for Pal and know they have a ton of senior leadership on defense. I just wonder if MS has better play makers than SCE
Well, I will say this, St Charles East was fairly one dimensional...triple option. When Palatine stymied that, they really didn't have much of a passing game. Maine South is definitely not one dimensional.
After that first series, Palatine's defense adjusted and SCE didn't do much the rest of the game except for the QB breaking one 40 yard run. They've seen good diversified offenses in Barrington, New Treir, Stevenson, Fremd..and it's often taken them a half to make adjustments, but they always seem to do successfully.
Examples:
Stevenson lead 20-14 at half, lost 28-20..zero second half points
Barrington game Palatine led 28-21 at half in a back and forth game. By 2 minutes into the 4th quarter it was 49-21 before Barrington got a safety and a very late TD.
So I'd say if it's a close score at halftime, it's in Palatine's favor. I'm just a fan and have no "in" to the team and what they plan to do, but I'd imagine they'd throw the kitchen sink at MS to stop them. They had O'Shea and Grochowski as extra DBs against Lyons, I can see them doing that again to combat the 6'6" guy; and last year against Oak Park and Brother Rice Courtland Cornelius played some absolutely lock down corner and I could see him doing that again or being tasked to track down that RB wherever he goes...Trust me, he's fast enough and quick twitch enough to track that guy.
BTW, @PHS_Football just tweeted ...looks like time for game is officially 2pm now..
@PHS_Football
Come watch the Pirates take on the Hawks at Maine South this Saturday at 2:00 pm. #GoPirates
And free bus and ticket for students...I guess that's how you get kids to travel on a Saturday afternoon
http://[IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2kho5k.jpg[/IMG]
@PHS_Football
Come watch the Pirates take on the Hawks at Maine South this Saturday at 2:00 pm. #GoPirates
And free bus and ticket for students...I guess that's how you get kids to travel on a Saturday afternoon
http://[IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2kho5k.jpg[/IMG]
Two things:
1 - One dimensional offenses are easy to adjust to when you have a good D coach. I would expect Pal to learn enough on that first drive to dissect on the bench and make the half time adjustments.
2 - Those comebacks were engineered by Oles. I don't know the backup well and realize he now has game experience, but semi final games are a different bird. I have seen good QBs freeze up on that stage and if MS gets up and is holding a lead at half, it will be tough sledding. I would imagine MS coaches are smart enough to recognize that adjustments will be made by Pal and be ready to flip the script in the 2nd half. This ain't there first rodeo.
I have a soft spot for Pal after the 2014 game. It isn't that I'm not a fan. I just wish I could see this play out.
BTW, @PHS_Football just tweeted ...looks like time for game is officially 2pm now..
@PHS_Football
Come watch the Pirates take on the Hawks at Maine South this Saturday at 2:00 pm. #GoPirates
And free bus and ticket for students...I guess that's how you get kids to travel on a Saturday afternoon
http://[IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2kho5k.jpg[/IMG]
Bus and ticket are FREE? Is that what it takes your kids to travel to games?
I remember that game very well..it was my son's last game there. Tied 7-7 with a couple minutes left until half and then our QB fumbles deep in our territory. I said to myself "if they can hold them off here and go into half at 7-7 they'll be OK, but if GBW scores I think it's all downhill from there"..Brodner bounces off tackle for ~25 yds and the TD and a 14-7 halftime lead. From that point on...well..absolutely stunning. I haven't been following, did he red shirt up at Wisconsin or has he seen playing time this year?
Brods took a redshirt as two seniors ready to move on. Had a great camp and is getting stronger and faster. We expect him to be ready for a fun year next year.
I have seen both...great amount of respect for both programs, but have to give MS the nod.
Without Oles it will be tough for Palatine to keep up with the MS offense.
Should be a great game...24-20 MS on top.
Without Oles it will be tough for Palatine to keep up with the MS offense.
Should be a great game...24-20 MS on top.
Actually, in regard to #2..Only Stevenson was a comeback, and of all the teams Palatine played I see them being the most like Maine South. Oles actually had just an OK game there, but it was the defense that won that game. In the 3rd quarter they had a short drive for a TD after a pick on a screen pass that bounced off the RB and to Palatine's DE. Then later Stevenson drove to Palatine's 10 yard line but the drive stalled and they were denied on 4th down; Palatine took over and Josh Turner busted off a 90 yard TD run on the next play for what would be the final score of the game. In the 4th quarter Stevenson drove numerous times but in the end got nothing.
DJ's a cool cucumber, they just need him to play within himself and not try to do to much. Oles got hurt on the second offensive possession in the 1st quarter of the 1st playoff game and it's DJ and a defense that's given up only 23 points in three playoff games that's gotten them back to the semifinals..so I think he deserves major props regardless of what happens next Saturday.
Looks like Herion is out for the rest of the season for Loyola too..now we really need a Palatine - Loyola final...would be two 13-0 teams playing backup QBs...what are the odds??
Would make a great story but I hope you understand if I seek a different outcome.
With Oles, I think MS would be in serious trouble...
But regardless, their D doesn't appear to be anything like Palatine faced against LT or SCE. So Palatine will be able to score some points and their defense is better than people seem to think. I'll say Palatine 24-20.
But regardless, their D doesn't appear to be anything like Palatine faced against LT or SCE. So Palatine will be able to score some points and their defense is better than people seem to think. I'll say Palatine 24-20.
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I may be mistaken but MS ran that same option play against Barrington for a TD (short one 2-3 yards)? I'm not sure though if QB was under center or in shotgun.
Quite possibly LA's 4th string QB (Forsyth) who took his first varsity snaps last week.Looks like Herion is out for the rest of the season for Loyola too..now we really need a Palatine - Loyola final...would be two 13-0 teams playing backup QBs...what are the odds??
QB2 is out and Marwede is technically #3 running the wildcat, mainly. LA's D found their mojo again. They'll be fine.
You must be mistaken because I don't think anyone goes to the basketball games. Lol j/k
I'm pretty sure you will have a good experience. Plenty of parking,ok food and extra seating will be there to accommodate the Palatine fans.
I've been to a decent number of bball games though admittedly known last season. What have you heard as the negative? Can't think of anything really off the top of my head. It's usually a good time just going there and watching the MS head coach stomp around the sidelines.
Considering the sources, this would have probably been 10 or so years ago. Actually I think around 2003-2005 maybe - when Scheyer was playing at Glenbrook North. Described as the worst sportsmanship these guys had ever witnessed (and they are both high school multi-sport fanatics), and involved heckling/taunting of visiting players and fans.
Swagger High has gotten better with sportsmanship then worse then better then worse and now we are much better hosts! You should have no worries.
The head coach comment got me thinking..back when I was a sophomore at Maine East, Maine South went 32-1 in B-Ball and won the Class AA state championship in 1979. Their coach was Quitman Sullins...who left MS a few years later and then ran into a few "problems"...