I think it only gets tough with ESL. Those teams prior are good, but LZ is off the chain.
Thoughts on 7a playoff bracket
- Thread starter ODERTY1
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I think it only gets tough with ESL. Those teams prior are good, but LZ is off the chain.
Have been watching LZ for 15yrs, just about every game. This may be the best team in that time/ever at LZ, and there have been a few very good ones. Warren and Montini may have been the only teams to score against the first team defense.
All that being said, they need to take it one game at a time. Schaumburg gave Barrington some trouble in the first half, so they’ve gotta respect each opponent.
All that being said, they need to take it one game at a time. Schaumburg gave Barrington some trouble in the first half, so they’ve gotta respect each opponent.
Batavia hadn't given up more that 10 points all year until Friday when SCN scored 35.
High school football is all about matchups.
A 6-3 Warren who lost to a 4-5 ZB may not think so highly of LZ. It's all about the matchups. This is why I love High School football.
Warren always was the team that LZ had to beat for the conf and who I thought would give them their toughest test. It was all that I expected. Smh re ZB. Stevie and The Cats just don’t have it this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a running clock in the ESL / Lib game.
This w/e the weather (cold and rainy) is going to make things interesting in the LZ game.
This w/e the weather (cold and rainy) is going to make things interesting in the LZ game.
Would love to hear more about that game. It is a complete outlier. Was it matchups? Down night for LZ? Overconfidence?
I have a ton of faith in this team after seeing them suffocate a pretty good Montini offense, but that game is a head scratcher.
here goes bones the diplomat....7a looks soft compared to years past. no way around it.
I watched the game and spoke with some people. LZ was a little banged up, but frankly, I saw some match up problem warren posed. I'm certain that every team LZ faces will have that tape on A side and B side.
Guaranteed. Getting yards against them for the Broncos was like searching for the Holy Grail. Not sure tape would have helped, but maybe someone can crack the code. I say unlikely.
Not a lot of flashy offensives but some real tough defensives in 7A. Personally I enjoy watching great defense. That last Bears game was awesome. 7A is going to beat the crap out of one another. 8A is a turnstile for the most part.
Typically in 7A and 8A playoffs bring about some interesting outcomes over the years. No one thought PN would make it to the finals (or semis) nor did anyone think MS would win. That is the beauty of it.
MC, I gotta give some credit to the Warren coaches. They shut down Stutzman which I think caused Mertens and Co to re-think things. It was the first time he was so limited... no lanes anywhere for him. IMO LZ was ready for the change (plan B) but they had to hit the clutch to change gears. In the end it turned out to be long ball game with Jones from Warren and Powell for LZ. I've heard that LZ didn't think they played all that well, but from the stands it didn't look that bad....just a really good game.
Re being banged up, I recall one of the injuries to a key def player the week before, which may have caused other shifts (possibly on both sides of the line / 2-way for a 1-way player) and there was also less speed pressure on the Warren QB.
I will say that Warren may have brought out the best in LZ in that LZ found a lot of things they could do better than anyone expected, rather than just something to add a little bit of variety.
For me, they've shown balance and talent in all phases, so as far as the matchups, they're able to take whatever is given to them.
Re being banged up, I recall one of the injuries to a key def player the week before, which may have caused other shifts (possibly on both sides of the line / 2-way for a 1-way player) and there was also less speed pressure on the Warren QB.
I will say that Warren may have brought out the best in LZ in that LZ found a lot of things they could do better than anyone expected, rather than just something to add a little bit of variety.
For me, they've shown balance and talent in all phases, so as far as the matchups, they're able to take whatever is given to them.
How did Warren move the ball against LZ? Are they a spread passing offense or a run first offense?
I disagree. To me a class is judged by the sheer # of competitive schools in it. Competitive with each other that is, not the next class up. So for example when Montini, SHG, and JCA were guaranteed to win 5A the class was awful. Unwatchable even. Now that 5A looks to have some parity it looks fantastic to me (I don't buy into the Phillips hype, 3A sure). With Montini, Naz, PC, SHG in 6A with P-Ridge, Crete, Richards, Normal 6A is looking great (I dont buy PR running away with it again).
Same with 7A. It was terrible when I knew the final 4 would consist of WWS, Rita, LZ, GBW, ESL, and LWE. And 8A wasnt as fun when I knew LA's half of the bracket was already won. This playoffs is going to be great.
I totally agree bones. but, this must mean that everything that the ihsa has done over the last few years is actually working. and improving each class.
we will still see some perennial powers and some mismatches. but for the most part I think this years fields are overall well matched.
we will always get some Cinderella teams make it in and then bounced big. but, I think that each class has some great matchups and should be exciting playoffs.
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I agree with what you said completely. Problem with this board is:
1. They focus on CCL teams
2. They focus on only big name/power programs
7A this year is getting ripped on by the board (Voodoo said it is a dumpster fire). Disagree. Yes ESL is a clear favorite with LZ right after that and most other focus will go to MC and SR since they are CCL teams but there are other quality teams in 7A that just aren't as well known.
I think a possible Hersey/LWC game in round two would be a great game.
Same goes for Batavia/Wheaton North (or Fenwick)
I think SR/Simeon, LWW/Jacobs and WN/Fenwick are quality 1st round games
8A has the big names. 8A is loaded. Doesn't mean 7A (and lower brackets) can't provide exciting/quality/competitive football. It just means people don't know what teams will provide that good football and the unknown scares the board. They prefer to quantify the unknown as "bad football" instead of embrace it as possibly highly competitive, good football.
That 2001 Prospect team was MUCH BETTER than the 2001 Providence. That's one thing I know.
I gotta hockey game 7p, but i will be up there 8ish for dogz game.
ya for sure. come on out. should be a fun one.
Every year teams that are very good have a bad game or two but find the way to win. I seen several 7A teams this year and LZ was by far the best. Mt. Carmel may give them a game but LZ's defense is very very good and their offense is not shabby at all. If LZ's defense can keep their opponents off the field their offense will get the job done.
In the LZ game I'd call it opportunistic (took whatever they could get, second & third reads and HB safety valve. Spread mostly but they moved Micah Jones around which you had to respect the entire game. He may have even been an End in some formations. While they had the receiver strength, they still came out running. Not a lot was working so the real threat was the "big plays" and in the end a 50 yd "Hail Mary" w/ 5 seconds is what took it to OT.
In the ZB game, just have the newspaper account, but Jones was held to 3 receptions and 2 yards. Warren QB had 5 picks.
I get your point. I guess I tried to lump the respect for Highland's program into the general feeling made by some posters that the Bulldogs could present a challenge to Rochester should they meet. I repeat: a good outcome for Highland would be if they could finish within 20 points of the Rockets. I also stated that this is in no way a slap against Highland. It's just the fact that Rochester is that good and better than anyone Highland has faced this year - WAY BETTER!!
To be fair - I said “NEAR dumpster fire levels” that means it’s not quite there
And maybe I was a touch too harsh.
I think a lot of games will be competitive but how I view the classes is when I see a near automatic path to the quarterfinals for multiple teams - somethings not right. Need more cow bell!! (or a Glenbard West and Edwardsville) to spice up the 7A chili!!!
ESL was better than MS last year.
As I said, only focusing on Big Name Programs and assuming that makes a bracket/class better!
You say you see near automatic paths for teams in 7A to the quarters. Who would that be?
ESL probably but only beat BW by 6 in 1st meeting
LZ has to get through PN (2016 State Runner up to ESL - yes controversial state runner up)
No easy path for these 3:
SCN (Just gave Batavia their 1st loss)
SR (only losses to good LA and PC teams - played tough schedule)
Simeon (Lost 3 games by 20 points to OPRF, Phillips and good team from Detroit)
Batavia maybe but WN no pushover
Don't think MC is that heavy a favorite over Moline and a good Normal Community team
LWW, Alton, Jacobs - Pick em
LWC (8 - 1) or Hersey (8 - 1)
Benet (6 - 3), MW (7 - 2) or RH (9 - 0)
See a lot of good football possibilities but not sure about clear paths to the quarters.
Just a point about MC. While I do think a Normal/MC matchup would be close one, I just think MC is going to beat Moline handily: MC 42, Moline 14.
Here is what I see (my perception might be different than yours)
* Benet a very very favorable draw for a walk to the Quarters depending on what your view of Honne is. You swap Wheaton and Benet and I will bet big money Wheaton walks to the quarters in that part of the bracket.
* LWC - a walk to the quarters. Hershey is in “the other division” and the one team they played and lost to (Hoffman Estates) got PASTED by both Palatine and Barrington. Don’t think Hershey is going to put up much of a fight (but I could be wrong)
* ESL - would be shocked if they are not in the quarters.
* LZ - same thing.
Well that’s 5 of the 8. See what I mean? Add a little more hot sauce to 7A and there would be more pitfalls for teams to traverse and that’s what I like in the playoffs.
I agree with you on the other parts of the brackets - there are some real quagmires in there. WN/Glenbard/Batavia. - Bad draw for all 3. Also Saint Charles and that group - very murky and some good games waiting.
Voodoo,
Two things before I reply
1. You said "well that's 5 of 8" but only listed 4 teams - Benet, ESL, LZ and LWC
2. LWC would play Hersey not Hershey (you must need chocolate
)The main difference I think between us is what does "clear path" mean and thus why is 7A a "near" dumpster fire?
If Benet, LWC, LZ and ESL all make the quarters as you predict but in the process
- BW plays ESL to another game within a TD
- PN shows more playoff magic and plays LZ tough all the way through
- Hersey plays LWC tight but lose by 14 in the 4Q
- MW and RH (don't know anything about them) surprise Benet with tough games
Is that still a clear path and is the bracket still a dumpster fire? In my opinion the answer is NO because the favorites are favorites for a reason but if they get to the quarters without winning each game by at least 3 TD's, then I don't consider it a "clear path" or a "dumpster fire". I would call it good football with the favorites doing what they are supposed to do - win!
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Agree with you on both points. Moline only beat a bad Stagg team by 1 and lost easily to good DeKalb and Fenwick teams so MC no problem with them but Voodoo said they have a "clear path" to the quarter finals and if Normal plays them tough as you agree with, my point is then the path is not so clear.
PN has lost two games to two 8A home playoff teams, each by 1 point. PN also beat a solid 8-1 Oswego team. I would not be surprised if they play LZ tougher than most expect.
Voodoo,
Two things before I reply
1. You said "well that's 5 of 8" but only listed 4 teams - Benet, ESL, LZ and LWC
2. LWC would play Hersey not Hershey (you must need chocolate
The main difference I think between us is what does "clear path" mean and thus why is 7A a "near" dumpster fire?
If Benet, LWC, LZ and ESL all make the quarters as you predict but in the process
- BW plays ESL to another game within a TD
- PN shows more playoff magic and plays LZ tough all the way through
- Hersey plays LWC tight but lose by 14 in the 4Q
- MW and RH (don't know anything about them) surprise Benet with tough games
Is that still a clear path and is the bracket still a dumpster fire? In my opinion the answer is NO because the favorites are favorites for a reason but if they get to the quarters without winning each game by at least 3 TD's, then I don't consider it a "clear path" or a "dumpster fire". I would call it good football with the favorites doing what they are supposed to do - win!
Sorry I can’t count today (damn 6am flights kill me!) and yes I need chocolate and sugar! (Or a nap).
Nope. Never said Normal or MC had a clear path to the quarters. But I do believe it will be one of them (not sure which one). That part of the bracket is interesting also along with the other two I mentioned earlier.
Mount Carmel will win 7A without a doubt. Another title for the best coach in the state: Coach Lenti.