Thornton and SWSR week 9

[badfrog68]

In Edgy's latest Chicagoland top 30 poll, he states regarding the week 9 matchup of Thornton and LWC:

The Wildcats get a great Week 9 test at home against LW Central and nothing gets the Wildcats blood boiling more than LWC

As a SWSR fan, LW central (while 4 - 4 and with a win could make the playoffs) is not good. They have been blown out by the (4) quality opponents they have played (Huntley, Bradley, LWW and LWN). This is not a great week 9 home test for Thornton.

As someone who someone who has followed Thornton (by default as I went to HS in the SICA conference which Thornton was member of at that time and now they are in the SWSR which I follow weekly - not a Thornton fan), I do not feel Thornton/LWC has ever been a great rivalry game so to state that this game gets their blood boiling seems odd (Thornton fans please tell me if I am wrong).

I am hoping EDGY was saying this in jest with the sarcasm that makes him entertaining to follow. Personally, I think something more positive should have been said about Thornton as they are really good and have the team speed to match up with anybody. They will be a tough out in the 7A playoffs.

If Edgy wanted to be more spot on, you need to insert Phoenix (LWN) for Wildcats and Warriors (LWW) for LWC. That is the game of the week in the SWSR Conference and blood will be boiling for that game!

 

[hornetnation7]

In Edgy's latest Chicagoland top 30 poll, he states regarding the week 9 matchup of Thornton and LWC:

The Wildcats get a great Week 9 test at home against LW Central and nothing gets the Wildcats blood boiling more than LWC

As a SWSR fan, LW central (while 4 - 4 and with a win could make the playoffs) is not good. They have been blown out by the (4) quality opponents they have played (Huntley, Bradley, LWW and LWN). This is not a great week 9 home test for Thornton.

As someone who someone who has followed Thornton (by default as I went to HS in the SICA conference which Thornton was member of at that time and now they are in the SWSR which I follow weekly - not a Thornton fan), I do not feel Thornton/LWC has ever been a great rivalry game so to state that this game gets their blood boiling seems odd (Thornton fans please tell me if I am wrong).

I am hoping EDGY was saying this in jest with the sarcasm that makes him entertaining to follow. Personally, I think something more positive should have been said about Thornton as they are really good and have the team speed to match up with anybody. They will be a tough out in the 7A playoffs.

If Edgy wanted to be more spot on, you need to insert Phoenix (LWN) for Wildcats and Warriors (LWW) for LWC. That is the game of the week in the SWSR Conference and blood will be boiling for that game!

Agree this is game of the week in SWSR and will have significant seeding implications in 6A South bracket. As a Hinsdale South supporter I will certainly be following this game.

 

[North2Mizzou_rivals146311]

LWW and LWN are tied 3-3 in the school's incredibly new rivalry. North won in '09, '10, and '11 won West won the last three. This will be the last matchup barring a rematch in the 6A playoffs, and it's for conference. The difference is that Thornton game. The score against West was close but wasn't it a blowout relatively early in the game? North didn't play their best game against Thornton but it was always close and a two point conversion was the difference.

With that said I think we can throw that out because both teams will come ready to play. The atmosphere in Frankfort this Friday will be nothing short of electric. With conference, top seeds, and ownership of a winning record in the rivalry, we're all in for a treat.

 

[badfrog68]

Agree this is game of the week in SWSR and will have significant seeding implications in 6A South bracket. As a Hinsdale South supporter I will certainly be following this game.

It will be interesting to see what Catch says but the latest IHSA playoff outlook has both LWN and Thornton back down in 6A and LWW back down in 5A. It also has the (2) good Peoria teams going down to 5A. If both Thornton and LWN get put in the South 6A bracket, this makes a very difficult bracket even tougher. HS would not have an easy road in the south bracket. I still think from a geography standpoint they could be put in the north bracket which would help.

 

[Dino brown]

It will be interesting to see what Catch says but the latest IHSA playoff outlook has both LWN and Thornton back down in 6A and LWW back down in 5A. It also has the (2) good Peoria teams going down to 5A. If both Thornton and LWN get put in the South 6A bracket, this makes a very difficult bracket even tougher. HS would not have an easy road in the south bracket. I still think from a geography standpoint they could be put in the north bracket which would help.

Play ball doesn't matter where they are seeded everybody is looking for an easy road to the finals there is no such thing and isn't HS already battle tested so why are you worried about what side of the bracket they are on.

 

[hornetnation7]

Play ball doesn't matter where they are seeded everybody is looking for an easy road to the finals there is no such thing and isn't HS already battle tested so why are you worried about what side of the bracket they are on.

Dino,

I for one am not worried, just stating the likely scenario. I think HS will be ready for the playoffs. You are correct, no easy road to finals. But foolish to think seeding does not matter. I'd prefer to play tougher teams in later rounds. However, with HS record, they will likely be facing a highly seeded team in round 1. I suspect that whichever of the top seeds gets the HS draw in the 1st round will prefer an easier 1st round matchup as well. No matter what, the south bracket is looking like it will provide a tougher road to the finals than the north.

 

[Dino brown]

Dino,

I for one am not worried, just stating the likely scenario. I think HS will be ready for the playoffs. You are correct, no easy road to finals. But foolish to think seeding does not matter. I'd prefer to play tougher teams in later rounds. However, with HS record, they will likely be facing a highly seeded team in round 1. I suspect that whichever of the top seeds gets the HS draw in the 1st round will prefer an easier 1st round matchup as well. No matter what, the south bracket is looking like it will provide a tougher road to the finals than the north.

First rounds are usually favorable for the top seeds yes I agree, and the north side of the bracket the first couple of rounds might look a little easier on paper than the south but at the end of the day you still have to go threw power houses on Both sides of the bracket.

CG/MCH/PR or SHG/LWN/lemont pick your poison I guess.

 

[hornetnation7]

First rounds are usually favorable for the top seeds yes I agree, and the north side of the bracket the first couple of rounds might look a little easier on paper than the south but at the end of the day you still have to go threw power houses on Both sides of the bracket.

CG/MCH/PR or SHG/LWN/lemont pick your poison I guess.

Dino,

You are correct. however, wouldn't you want to see an orderly build-up to those games? I'd rather play a SHG or LWN in the quarter finals, rather than in the 1st round. That is just common sense. At the end of the day, I like our chances either way, but do have a preference. That's all I am saying.

 

[Dino brown]

Dino,

You are correct. however, wouldn't you want to see an orderly build-up to those games? I'd rather play a SHG or LWN in the quarter finals, rather than in the 1st round. That is just common sense. At the end of the day, I like our chances either way, but do have a preference. That's all I am saying.

100 percent with you on that and listen I know what your saying and I totally agree with you that on the north side of the bracket HS will have a better run on that side In my opinion.

 

[badfrog68]

Dino,

You are correct. however, wouldn't you want to see an orderly build-up to those games? I'd rather play a SHG or LWN in the quarter finals, rather than in the 1st round. That is just common sense. At the end of the day, I like our chances either way, but do have a preference. That's all I am saying.

Hornet,

What a difference a week makes. According to Catch's projections, With Cary-Grove, Thornton and LWN falling to 6A, both sides of the brackets got more difficult. HS would get a team that I have seen play and is really good in Crete. 6A really needs to go 1 - 32 with the amount of quality teams now projected to be in that division.

LWW, on the other hand was pushed down to the south bracket of 5A which would improve their chances for a deep run greatly.

Always fun to look into this but all will change drastically again after the week 9 games are done.

 

[Dino brown]

Hornet,

What a difference a week makes. According to Catch's projections, With Cary-Grove, Thornton and LWN falling to 6A, both sides of the brackets got more difficult. HS would get a team that I have seen play and is really good in Crete. 6A really needs to go 1 - 32 with the amount of quality teams now projected to be in that division.

LWW, on the other hand was pushed down to the south bracket of 5A which would improve their chances for a deep run greatly.

Always fun to look into this but all will change drastically again after the week 9 games are done.

My question is how accurate are all these predictions becuase I have no idea wth hell is going on when it comes to this.

 

[badfrog68]

My question is how accurate are all these predictions becuase I have no idea wth hell is going on when it comes to this.

While these predictions are probably very accurate if the season ended last week but since it didn't and week 9 games still have to be played, these predictions are more for fun and discussion purposes and not for accuracy. The only bracket that really counts will be given out Saturday night.

 

[hornetnation7]

Hornet,

What a difference a week makes. According to Catch's projections, With Cary-Grove, Thornton and LWN falling to 6A, both sides of the brackets got more difficult. HS would get a team that I have seen play and is really good in Crete. 6A really needs to go 1 - 32 with the amount of quality teams now projected to be in that division.

LWW, on the other hand was pushed down to the south bracket of 5A which would improve their chances for a deep run greatly.

Always fun to look into this but all will change drastically again after the week 9 games are done.

Bad,

what is your thoughts on the Crete Praire Ridge Game? This game will have impact on HS opponent in Rd1. If Crete loses, then they drop out of top 5 seeds and Lemont likey to move into 3rd seed spot.

Other key games that will impact HS seeding is

• Quincy vs Quincy ND
• Rock Island vs YPsilanti (MI)
• Glenwood vs Jacksonville

A loss by Quincy, RI, or Glenwood will likely move HS up 1 spot for each loss. I am thinking at least 1 will loose and we HS end up at 13 seed. In this scenario HS will play 4 seed, which is likely to be Lemont )if Crete wins) or Thornton (if Crete looses).

Wow, any of these potential 1st round games for HS will be a brawl.

But this is what happens when you loose to Willowbrook unexpectedly and go 6-3 instead of 7-2. I know HC and HS are big rivals, but IMO this is why the HC game was s big game for HS. If they could have pulled off the upset, they could have been in position to go 7-2, and a much better seed.

 

[hornetnation7]

While these predictions are probably very accurate if the season ended last week but since it didn't and week 9 games still have to be played, these predictions are more for fun and discussion purposes and not for accuracy. The only bracket that really counts will be given out Saturday night.

Bad, you can use this to narrow things down quite a bit. Catch did a ton of work to get things this far. So pick your favorite team and run "what-if" scenarios. I think you can get pretty close to final outcome with a few reasonable assumptions. Of course, the final bracket will tell the real story. But until then, this is all we have. For example, I am fairly confident that HS will be playing either Crete, Lemont, or Thornton in 1st round.

 

[Dino brown]

Bad, you can use this to narrow things down quite a bit. Catch did a ton of work to get things this far. So pick your favorite team and run "what-if" scenarios. I think you can get pretty close to final outcome with a few reasonable assumptions. Of course, the final bracket will tell the real story. But until then, this is all we have. For example, I am fairly confident that HS will be playing either Crete, Lemont, or Thornton in 1st round.

Ouch!!!! But hey regardless of whoever they play tuff or not I'm pretty sure it's all in or go home mentality the minute that whistle bows and may the best team win.cant wait!!!!!

 

[hornetnation7]

Ouch!!!! But hey regardless of whoever they play tuff or not I'm pretty sure it's all in or go home mentality the minute that whistle bows and may the best team win.cant wait!!!!!

This is the name of the game, win or go home. Some very good teams will be at home come week 2.

 

[badfrog68]

Bad, you can use this to narrow things down quite a bit. Catch did a ton of work to get things this far. So pick your favorite team and run "what-if" scenarios. I think you can get pretty close to final outcome with a few reasonable assumptions. Of course, the final bracket will tell the real story. But until then, this is all we have. For example, I am fairly confident that HS will be playing either Crete, Lemont, or Thornton in 1st round.

Hornet,

I did not have any intention of belittling Catch (or Soucie) for the work that they have done with their playoff prediction brackets. They do put in hard work and Catch's post is one I look forward to every week. If that is how I came across, I apologize.

That being said, Of the teams that I follow, my favorite is LWW. In the last 4 weeks, they have been projected 6A twice and 5A twice. If they are in 6A, they will be in the tough south bracket. If they are in 5A, they are borderline with JCA and have been projected in both the North and South brackets. If they beat LWN and are 8 - 1, they could be a # 1 in the north bracket but a # 3 or # 4 in the 5A south. They have been shown as low as a # 7 in the 6A south even with an 8 - 1 record. If they lose, even more variables occur. So my point is that if you are at HS and can expect to win your final game and go 6 - 3 with very little question that you will be in 6A, you may be able to narrow down expected playoff opponents. If you are LWW and may be put in (3) possible brackets with your final record questionable, it is very difficult to predict a playoff opponent. You can only look at Catch's current bracket and hope that is the same as is shown on TV Saturday. It gives them a better chance at going farther into the playoffs than being in the 6A south bracket.

As for Dino,

The put on your boots and play the game mentality is for the players themselves. They are worried about week 9 and not about what class they are in or who they face. They will worry about that at next Monday's practice. It is the fans that get all wrapped up in rankings and predictions. It gives us something to talk about while we are waiting for the next game.

 

[badfrog68]

what is your thoughts on the Crete Praire Ridge Game? This game will have impact on HS opponent in Rd1. If Crete loses, then they drop out of top 5 seeds and Lemont likey to move into 3rd seed spot.

Crete seemed like an athletic, well rounded team. Could run or pass and played the run well. The one time they played a really good passing team in BR, they lost. Sycamores QB Bemis looked ok too when I saw LWW/Sycamore and Crete beat Sycamore in OT so I think (could be wrong) that the key to beating Crete is a good passing game.

The only info I have on Prarie Ridge is from the piece they had on them on Friday Night Lights last week. That indicated that Prarie Ridge was a great option team and very deep with their running game as the 2nd string continues to succeed when the first string is pulled. If that is the case, I think Crete has a good chance to beat them but should be a very competitive game.

As for Thornton, Crete and Lemont in the first round, all would be bad draws. I have seen Thornton as well and if they don't self destruct, they are the best of the (3). They had (4 TD's brought back from penalty against LWW keeping them in the game and lost due to (4) turnovers against LWN. Talent and team speed are phenomenal though. I have not seen Lemont this year but they were in the State finals a year ago so they have a quality program.

 

[badfrog68]

With that said I think we can throw that out because both teams will come ready to play. The atmosphere in Frankfort this Friday will be nothing short of electric. With conference, top seeds, and ownership of a winning record in the rivalry, we're all in for a treat

I agree with this statement completely. I will be there and hope it lives up to it's billing.

 

[hornetnation7]

Hornet,

I did not have any intention of belittling Catch (or Soucie) for the work that they have done with their playoff prediction brackets. They do put in hard work and Catch's post is one I look forward to every week. If that is how I came across, I apologize.

That being said, Of the teams that I follow, my favorite is LWW. In the last 4 weeks, they have been projected 6A twice and 5A twice. If they are in 6A, they will be in the tough south bracket. If they are in 5A, they are borderline with JCA and have been projected in both the North and South brackets. If they beat LWN and are 8 - 1, they could be a # 1 in the north bracket but a # 3 or # 4 in the 5A south. They have been shown as low as a # 7 in the 6A south even with an 8 - 1 record. If they lose, even more variables occur. So my point is that if you are at HS and can expect to win your final game and go 6 - 3 with very little question that you will be in 6A, you may be able to narrow down expected playoff opponents. If you are LWW and may be put in (3) possible brackets with your final record questionable, it is very difficult to predict a playoff opponent. You can only look at Catch's current bracket and hope that is the same as is shown on TV Saturday. It gives them a better chance at going farther into the playoffs than being in the 6A south bracket.

As for Dino,

The put on your boots and play the game mentality is for the players themselves. They are worried about week 9 and not about what class they are in or who they face. They will worry about that at next Monday's practice. It is the fans that get all wrapped up in rankings and predictions. It gives us something to talk about while we are waiting for the next game.

Bad,
I do understand your point. As the weeks have progressed,the predictions become closer to reality as variables are dropped. As you indicated, for HS, there is a maneable number of variables at this point. May not be true for everyone.

For what it is worth, the way I see it is that LWW is likely to end up in 5A. This will require 4/19 bubble teams above LWW to get in (based on GEPreps cut line post). As I look thru those games, seem likely to occur. With that, If LWW win vs LWN, they are likely to remain 3 seed and could move up to 2 seed with Triad loss to Altoff Cath (both 8-0, so looks like a 50/50 game). This leaves LWW looking at a pool of potential opponets that include Jacksonvill, Eisenhower and Marion. If LWW loses to LWN, they will not drop down any further than 5 seed (based on points and 7-2 record, which is beter than 6 seed Marian Central not matter what). Also, since Peoria ND (4 seed) is playing Peoria (5 seed) and both 7-1, one will remain higher (at 8-1) than LWW and one lower (based on points). So in the end LWW will still likely be a 3 or 4 seed. As a 4 seed, may need to inclide Limestone in potential pool.

So, likely opponents for LWW include Jacksonvill, Eisenhower, Marion and maybe Limestone.

We shall see how close this is to reality on Sat.

 

[North2Mizzou_rivals146311]

Does anyone know the criteria for LWN to move up to 7A? I believe the IHSA site had them in 7A a couple of weeks ago but it's looking like it'll be 6A. I'd really like them to be in 7A

 

[Bwm57]

Very simple.
Top 256 qualify, 32 largest are 8A next 32 largest are 7A and so on.
Plus factoring in all of the other intangibles like schools who petitioned up (ESL only? Moot point it seems) or got bumped up by Success Factor rule (Montini and SHG only?) and the Chicago conference rules and probably a few other things I'm forgetting...

 

[North2Mizzou_rivals146311]

Very simple.
Top 256 qualify, 32 largest are 8A next 32 largest are 7A and so on.
Plus factoring in all of the other intangibles like schools who petitioned up (ESL only? Moot point it seems) or got bumped up by Success Factor rule (Montini and SHG only?) and the Chicago conference rules and probably a few other things I'm forgetting...

Well North was 7A last year and Thornton was 6A. Was there a big change in enrollment or something cause Thornton has more students?

 

[Bwm57]

IHSA has Thornton at 1797 and LWN at 1718 this year.

 

[Bwm57]

Check out GEPreps cutlines post.