What did we learn week 5!?!?!

[LakeCtyNewt]

So a lot on and off the field this week.

1 - That Providence missed its coach or Naz is that good - discuss
2 - That St Ignatius is a thing.
3 - That we aren’t talking about Conant or Wheaton North. Maybe we should.
4 - That there is a major scheduling problem in the smaller classes
5 - That the Zion thing was cute and all but……
6 - That this whole playoff expansion thing is turning out to be a real bad idea
7 - That one day, a long time ago, Rockford Boylan was good.
8 - That something happened to Prairie Ridge
9 - That 5 years ago they didn’t have a varsity team and now Riverdale is 5-0
10 - That the state said yes and ESL will play up.

That’s all for this week - Bear down

 

[PowerI66]

For number 3, look at their schedules.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

#7 ya yikes

 

[oldfan123]

#6. I disagree

 

[Swansa01]

#11 That the WB6 continues to be a head scratcher of a conference.

 

[oldsica99]

So a lot on and off the field this week.

1 - That Providence missed its coach or Naz is that good - discuss
2 - That St Ignatius is a thing.
3 - That we aren’t talking about Conant or Wheaton North. Maybe we should.
4 - That there is a major scheduling problem in the smaller classes
5 - That the Zion thing was cute and all but……
6 - That this whole playoff expansion thing is turning out to be a real bad idea
7 - That one day, a long time ago, Rockford Boylan was good.
8 - That something happened to Prairie Ridge
9 - That 5 years ago they didn’t have a varsity team and now Riverdale is 5-0
10 - That the state said yes and ESL will play up.

That’s all for this week - Bear down

1. I think Naz wins regardless
6. Playoff expansion will only help the private schools even more. On top of that, you can have potential player injuries. Some of these matchups will not be good.
7. Rockford Boylan’s decline in enrollment has hit hard over the past few years 10 years ago they were probably double enrollment
9. Cool to see programs grow like Riverdale, coaching matters and they are doing it right.

 

[KingMJ]

That St. Charles East is quietly turning its program around after many lean years.

 

[AlabamaTimberwolf]

So a lot on and off the field this week.

1 - That Providence missed its coach or Naz is that good - discuss
2 - That St Ignatius is a thing.
3 - That we aren’t talking about Conant or Wheaton North. Maybe we should.
4 - That there is a major scheduling problem in the smaller classes
5 - That the Zion thing was cute and all but……
6 - That this whole playoff expansion thing is turning out to be a real bad idea
7 - That one day, a long time ago, Rockford Boylan was good.
8 - That something happened to Prairie Ridge
9 - That 5 years ago they didn’t have a varsity team and now Riverdale is 5-0
10 - That the state said yes and ESL will play up.

That’s all for this week - Bear down

4... This season... Yep!!! Hopefully there are enough smart people in Illinois to end this joke of a participation playoff they have this season!!!

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

6 - That this whole playoff expansion thing is turning out to be a real bad idea

Really bad idea. They have turned playoff qualification into a participation trophy. Hello 3-6 t-shirts!

 

[oldfan123]

Really bad idea. They have turned playoff qualification into a participation trophy. Hello 3-6 t-shirts!

When the 3-6 teams running clock the 8-1 & 9-0 cookie cutters will those schools wear t shirts bragging on their record?

 

[Doctor_D]

When the 3-6 teams running clock the 8-1 & 9-0 cookie cutters will those schools wear t shirts bragging on their record?

You think there will be 8-1/9-0 teams getting running clocked by 3-6??
That maybe might happen but I doubt it’s more than a once or twice across all the classes. Probably zero.

 

[PowerI66]

You think there will be 8-1/9-0 teams getting running clocked by 3-6??
That maybe might happen but I doubt it’s more than a once or twice across all the classes. Probably zero.

It is very matchup dependent, so we will have to see where everyone winds up seed wise. However, I think it will happen more than you think.

Edit: just noticed the running clock part. Victories yes, running clocks probably minimal.

 

[colbert]

Boylan Titans are down to 487 students. When they won their last state title, it was in 7A with a football enrollment of 1,955. Now, they are losing regularly in football and basketball in a conference the used to dominate.

 

[Wassup13_rivals219252]

6. Playoff expansion will only help the private schools even more. On top of that, you can have potential player injuries. Some of these matchups will not be good.

Playoff expansion helps teams that have depth the most.

If you lose a star player playing these extra playoff games being played for no reason, the teams with depth have the best chance to cover up for a star player who may get injured and out a while.

 

[William Foster]

Playoff expansion helps teams that have depth the most.

If you lose a star player playing these extra playoff games being played for no reason, the teams with depth have the best chance to cover up for a star player who may get injured and out a while.

 

[Louie1999]

Boylan Titans are down to 487 students. When they won their last state title, it was in 7A with a football enrollment of 1,955. Now, they are losing regularly in football and basketball in a conference the used to dominate.

That’s sad to hear. Does anyone know why the Marian Central football program has been bad recently? Is that also just down to a decline in enrollment?

 

[oldfan123]

You think there will be 8-1/9-0 teams getting running clocked by 3-6??
That maybe might happen but I doubt it’s more than a once or twice across all the classes. Probably zero.

Why? Did CPS decide to stop sending teams to the playoffs? I think back to 2024. Iggy finished 3-6 regular season. Won 2 prep bowl playoff game so 5-6. Whitney Young 9-0 regular season. Got to the 2nd round of the state playoffs only bc the beat Kenwood another CPS team in round 1. Got running clocked by Bradley in round 2. Won 2 city playoff games so 12-1 & finished 12-2 after getting running clocked 47-8 by Iggy in the Prep Bowl. So 3-6 running clocked 9-0 team. You’ll see a lot of that in the playoffs. St Laurence might finish 1-8 but as good as Oak Lawn is & they deserve the credit but Vikings would running clock them round 1.

 

[oldfan123]

Why? Did CPS decide to stop sending teams to the playoffs? I think back to 2024. Iggy finished 3-6 regular season. Won 2 prep bowl playoff game so 5-6. Whitney Young 9-0 regular season. Got to the 2nd round of the state playoffs only bc the beat Kenwood another CPS team in round 1. Got running clocked by Bradley in round 2. Won 2 city playoff games so 12-1 & finished 12-2 after getting running clocked 47-8 by Iggy in the Prep Bowl. So 3-6 running clocked 9-0 team. You’ll see a lot of that in the playoffs. St Laurence might finish 1-8 but as good as Oak Lawn is & they deserve the credit but Vikings would running clock them round 1.

St Francis or St Laurence might win 2 or 3 but I bet would running clock Kennedy in the playoffs. Kennedy having a great year happy for the kids hats off to them. When Rice & Rita were having down years going 2-7 or 3-6 I bet would running clock most 7-2,8-1 or 9-0 suburban teams!!

 

[oldfan123]

Iggy 2-7 regular season smoked 6-3 Morgan Park in the Prep Bowl last year. Iggy finished 5-7 & MP 9-5

 

[Doctor_D]

Why? Did CPS decide to stop sending teams to the playoffs? I think back to 2024. Iggy finished 3-6 regular season. Won 2 prep bowl playoff game so 5-6. Whitney Young 9-0 regular season. Got to the 2nd round of the state playoffs only bc the beat Kenwood another CPS team in round 1. Got running clocked by Bradley in round 2. Won 2 city playoff games so 12-1 & finished 12-2 after getting running clocked 47-8 by Iggy in the Prep Bowl. So 3-6 running clocked 9-0 team. You’ll see a lot of that in the playoffs. St Laurence might finish 1-8 but as good as Oak Lawn is & they deserve the credit but Vikings would running clock them round 1.

I think the only way you’ll see a 9-0 get clocked by a 3-6 would be a CCL vs CPS or maybe Upstate 8, and while that might happen, it certainly won’t be frequent. I don’t think that scenario will happen all that often.

 

[Alexander33]

You think there will be 8-1/9-0 teams getting running clocked by 3-6??
That maybe might happen but I doubt it’s more than a once or twice across all the classes. Probably zero.

I took a look at the 2025 playoffs out of curiosity. It only happened twice that an 8-1/9-0 team was running clocked in the opening round. So, your statement seems to be fairly accurate.

It was no surprise that both times it happened, it happened to a Chicago Public League team. Curie (8-1) lost its opening-round game 56-8, and Agricultural Science lost its opening-round game 46-6.

Under the new format this year, any 2-7/3-6 team that makes it to the round of 32 would have to be a decent team since they would have already won a playoff game when seeds 17 through 48 played each other.

Regardless of the circumstances, with only two categories of exceptions, any Chicago Public League team in the playoffs is likely to be running clocked. The first exception is if two Chicago Public League teams play each other. The second exception is if the Chicago Public League team is one of the following four teams: (Morgan Park, Kenwood, King, and Simeon).

 

[Edgytim]

#11 That the WB6 continues to be a head scratcher of a conference.

Is that code for bad???

 

[AMDG]

Iggy 2-7 regular season smoked 6-3 Morgan Park in the Prep Bowl last year. Iggy finished 5-7 & MP 9-5

for perspective, SICP lost their starting QB in a pre season scrimmage. It was a problem all year with them being down to 4th string at times. The starter came back for the post season and it was a different team.

 

[Swansa01]

Is that code for bad???

Honestly, I dont know.

Sterling-Looked to have things figured out...and then Galesburg hangs 56 on them. Luckily the offense was up to scoring 63.
Moline - Pre-season favorites. Losses it's first three games (Yes, I know those are good teams) and then beats two unbeaten teams.
Geneseo - Three and O start, and then the wheels fall off against Moline and UT.
Quincy - Was humming along splendidly until Moline remembered it could run the ball.
UT - Honestly have no clue if this team is good or meh.
Galesburg - Apparently, their offense can be terrifying when working. Too bad their D is terrifyingly bad.
Rock Island - Still a dumpster fire.

Sterling is at the top of the standings, but it seems anyone can possibly beat anyone this season. Maybe the evenness is a good thing for the conference? If Rocky beats Moline this Friday, I might just start flipping a coin instead.

 

[Colin2299]

#12 Batavia is a contender and their performance vs Rochester is an all time head scratcher

 

[ODERTY1]

#12 Batavia is a contender and their performance vs Rochester is an all time head scratcher

Nawl not is you follow Rochester. Their staff are experts at overly exploiting a team's weaknesses

 

[oldfan123]

That Westmont isn’t interested in making the playoffs. Had 5 or 6 similar sized schools with openings last 2 weeks & Westmont didn’t care to play

 

[PowerI66]

Nawl not is you follow Rochester. Their staff are experts at overly exploiting a team's weaknesses

It was a perfect storm. Batavia played awfully, and Rochester was firing on all cylinders. Not to take anything away from Rochester, as they could still be the better team, but the outcome, IMO, would be much more competitive.

 

[cigaros]

#12 Batavia is a contender and their performance vs Rochester is an all time head scratcher

Rochester DBs are very, very good.The Batavia QB is elusive. But his receivers were locked up.

 

[hawksfan619]

1. I think Naz wins regardless
6. Playoff expansion will only help the private schools even more. On top of that, you can have potential player injuries. Some of these matchups will not be good.
7. Rockford Boylan’s decline in enrollment has hit hard over the past few years 10 years ago they were probably double enrollment
9. Cool to see programs grow like Riverdale, coaching matters and they are doing it right.

Couldn't agree with your number 6 point more. Only teams who will actually benefit are private schools who get 3-4 wins. The public schools at 3-4 wins generally suck

 

[CSLfan]

Couldn't agree with your number 6 point more. Only teams who will actually benefit are private schools who get 3-4 wins. The public schools at 3-4 wins generally suck

It depends what you mean by helping. Some programs will see their numbers go up by making the playoffs. They can sell to the general student in their hallways that they are playing meaningful games. It is hard to recruit the hallways for some of these 3-6 and 4-5 teams when they are not making the playoffs and the kids have significantly more options to train for their other sports. And playing in the playoffs can help those kids actually join. Also some teams that win 5-6-7 games and make the playoffs generally suck. There are 3-6 and 4-5 public school teams that would beat 5-6-7 win teams from other conferences.

I still don't understand why this playoff expansion is getting such a negative reaction. What extra problems has it caused that makes it a "real bad idea"?

 

[SiuCubFan8]

It depends what you mean by helping. Some programs will see their numbers go up by making the playoffs. They can sell to the general student in their hallways that they are playing meaningful games. It is hard to recruit the hallways for some of these 3-6 and 4-5 teams when they are not making the playoffs and the kids have significantly more options to train for their other sports. And playing in the playoffs can help those kids actually join. Also some teams that win 5-6-7 games and make the playoffs generally suck. There are 3-6 and 4-5 public school teams that would beat 5-6-7 win teams from other conferences.

I still don't understand why this playoff expansion is getting such a negative reaction. What extra problems has it caused that makes it a "real bad idea"?

Some suburban 3-6 teams making the playoffs and losing is really going to help recruit the halls? I understand your point but I am not sure that is truly going to happen, JMO.

 

[Louie1999]

Some suburban 3-6 teams making the playoffs and losing is really going to help recruit the halls? I understand your point but I am not sure that is truly going to happen, JMO.

Exactly. No one is going to get excited to go play football at a school from the West Suburban Gold just bc their team beat 3 other terrible teams. Making the playoffs after winning 3 games would honestly demoralize me.

 

[Roamin' Catholic]

Nawl not is you follow Rochester. Their staff are experts at overly exploiting a team's weaknesses

Well, except Loyola's... and MacArthurs that one time. And SHG's a few times... and a few northern bracket reps at State maybe... but yeah, ultimately you right... no other notes.

 

[Still Missing34]

Well, except Loyola's... and MacArthurs that one time. And SHG's a few times... and a few northern bracket reps at State maybe... but yeah, ultimately you right... no other notes.

Says a lot when you can put all their losses in a short sentence.

 

[Roamin' Catholic]

Says a lot when you can put all their losses in a short sentence.

Sure does, I've seen 'em in person, often... my eyes don't lie, they're good at what they do and what they do is win football games. My poor Raiders gonna get taken to the shed, whooped, then dragged back out into the dead of night to get eaten by the wolves this year. And then the Rockets will show the rest the state the same come week 10... lol