WSS Wk 2

[kitty_bintingot]

DGS @ York: Huge win last week for the Dukes. Sounds like it was a bit rocky, but that's week 1 for ya. Still hard for me to divine where these teams are at. Seems like the Dukes running game is gonna come together. DGS played Wheaton North tough in a game they could've won. Wheaton North is a no nonsense team. So this one should be good. Thinking conservatively, this is a must win for the Dukes, with GW, OP, Willobrook, HC all left on the schedule. Anything can happen, but you don't want to bank your playoff hopes on wins against any of those teams. Total shot in the dark, but I think York finishes the drives it couldn't last week, the line really coming into form here, and they get a win in front of the home crowd: DGS 14 York 21

Addison Trail @ DGN: DGN avenged itself in Buffalo Grove last week, though not quite in the fashion I thought they might. AT seems to be a bit weaker this year after getting clocked by Conant, but can't forget who's in charge up there. So maybe AT isn't that weak. At any rate, I still think DGN gets a W in its first game in Downers this fall: AT 7 DGN 35

Morton @ HC: Morton didn't look bad in their wk 1 loss to RB. They have some solid, well sized athletes who are not afraid to hit, some playing both ways. There was a huge DE/OLB flying around and a tall lean QB plus some shifty guys in the skill positions: all that stuck out to me. But barring a serious hangover from last week HC should roll in this one. I think the HC pass game comes together here and the o-coordinators let the ball fly. If HC really deserves that #5 spot in Edgy's 8A poll, this should be a running clock. Here's to sipping homerade: Morton 14 HC 49

Leyden @ GW: Mean hogs clearing fields for a stable of thoroughbreds. Then darkness setting in all around: Leyden 7 GW 49

Willobrook @ OPRF: Boy am I glad those Warriors from the mean streets of VP are headed to Oak Park and not Hinsdale for this year's crossover game. I haven't seen any footage from the Provi game but I'm sure the Warriors are mean as ever (btw: can any of the Willobrook or Provi guys provide a scoop of that game? I haven't seen one). I believe this will be OP's first time playing Willobrook since Hildreth and co has brought them back, and boy are they in for a dog fight: Willobrook 27 OPRF 14

Proviso East @ Lyons: Hartman should get his first W as HC of LT: PE 6 LT 28

Hinsdale South @ Proviso West: South got smacked by Kaneland last week and that has me worried about this group this fall. I think they still beat West but maybe it'll be closer than one would've thought: South 31 West 15

(btw: I'll post everyone's records every 2 weeks)

All thoughts comments questions welcome.

 

[SilverHelmet]

DGS
DGN
HC
GW
WB
LT
HS

 

[chuck998]

Kitty, thanks for doing this every week

The ones I'm sure of, or at least as sure as I can be in HS sports:
GW
HC
DGN.

The one I'm just kinda sure of:
LT.

The one I'm hoping for:
PW.

The ones to watch:
If OPRF goes 0-2, they finish the season with 4 wins at best.
If York goes 1-1, they finish the season with 5 wins at best.
Both teams have to pick up the pace to justify the enthusiasm in their programs.

Ya gotta love HS football!

 

[Grepos]

Thank you for the write ups!

DGS played a close game. Dukes played a close game. I think WN was the better opponent.

DGS 14-10

DGN 42-6
HC 35-21
GW 47-14

WB had a dogfight last week against a bigger Providence line bur it was close. Wb runs better this week, and comes back strong.

WB 31-22
Lyons 18-6
HS 38-13

 

[Magnum Opus]

Kitty...ur an animal! Thanks as always. We gotta have a Dukes Special together sometime soon!

DGS @ York:

Jenny from Forest Gump plays nearly the EXACT same opponent as last week. The Cubs of High School Football will prevail in a game that they lead wire-to-wire. DGS is a well Coached team with good skill and many returning players. With that, DGS is a bit undersized relative to York (who isn't). Watch the D-Line in this game for our lovable losers (cubs reference only). No more 28 straight plays to the right...no throwing...and Jenny comes out on top.

York 26 - DGS 14

Addison Trail @ DGN:

Cassens 42 - AT 14

Morton @ HC: wow...do I ever want to pick Morton in this game. About 25 years ago, i picked SIU to beat Duke in the 1st round of the NCAA Tourney. SIU lost by 40...genious! Kitty is 100% spot-on with this game, but doesn't want to pick SIU.

HC 21 - SIU 14


Leyden @ GW:

Respectfully...
GW JV 56 - Leyden 0

Willobrook @ OPRF:

Upset pick of the week! OPRF figured out who they are after losing to a very good WV team (btw...Paul Murphy was one of my coaches in 1984 and i am that old...51 today)

OPRF 34 - W-Brook 28

Proviso East @ Lyons: I cant wait to call the HUGE LT upset coming soon. This is a very good team!

LT 48 - PE 0

Hinsdale South @ Proviso West:

Closer game than anyone expects

HS 20 - PW 13

 

[Duck of Death]

The only two games I see being questionable are York-DGS and OPRF-Willowbrook.
The rest of the conference seems to have pretty obvious outcomes IMO.

DGN easily over AT

HC over Morton in what should be a running clock

GW over Leyden in another potential running clock

Lyons with their easiest win of the season against PE

Hinsdale South easily over Proviso West

Next two could go either way...

I think York pulls out a hard fought, close game. York kicker makes his extra points, and hits a game winning FG to win. (no Cody Parkey chants from the student section this week)

Willowbrook @ OPRF ....I can see this one going either way. OPRF really needs this one to have a realistic path to the playoffs, but Willowbrook will be fired up after a season opening loss.
Willowbrook pulls out a close one 26-24

 

[MustangFB]

York
DGN Running Clock
HC Running Clock
GW Running Clock
WB
Lyons
HS

 

[WBWarriorWatcher]

WB-Provi was a good example of a week one game for two good programs meeting up. Tough play and ragged execution on both sides. WB interception at the 5 yard line with 1:30 left sealed the day. Provi will be a tough out all year. WB will be hard nosed and hungry all year. Their staffs will tighten it up and the next 8 weeks will be fun to watch.

DGS - this team is being under rated.
DGN
HC
GW
LT
HS

Willowbrook should clean up their running game and amp up their D line play this week. OPRF desperately needs the W and will have their secondary ready to play. This will be a dog fight opening whistle to the end. 24-21 WB

 

[OPRF Illini 96]

WB/OPRF easily the best of this week's West Suburban crossovers. Both the Huskies and Warriors need a win, and I anticipate a very tight game. These teams seem evenly matched; whenever that's the case, I usually go with the home team, and I'll go with the Huskies here. OPRF 28, WB 21

Other predictions:

GW over Leyden (quite possibly a running clock here)
HC over Morton (though it might be a little closer than people think)
York over DGS
DGN over AT (another likely running clock)
LT over PE
HS over PW

 

[kitty_bintingot]

Morton (though it might be a little closer than people think)

Morton has some tough athletic kids. I hope HC shows up ready to go and doesn’t disappoint.

 

[OPRF Illini 96]

Morton has some tough athletic kids. I hope HC shows up ready to go and doesn’t disappoint.

HC can't have an emotional hangover from last week's huge win. If they do, the Red Devils may be in for a tougher than anticipated game. Realistically thought, they should win

 

[Cross Bones]

DGS
DGN
HC
GBW
OPRF
Lyons
HS

 

[Magnum Opus]

Was at the York/DGS game. Im going to fianlly just come out and say it:

Yorks Head Coach is a complete FRAUD! Horrible game plan, horrible leadership, horrible oversight of your coaches, no wisdom and complete arrogance as to who he thinks he is. He throws with a 5'9 qb who basically gave DGS the game in the 1st half rather than playing his strength. They pulled him and put in the kid that should have been playing all along who is absolute lightening. This is a team that is made to RUN with 1400lbs of experienced linemen and passing should be limited to play action passing...PERIOD!!!! Instead, i think he thinks hes playing Madden 2019 and might have thrown the ball 40+ times. His playbook is more important than his players.

Further, their D Coordinator shouldnt be coaching and I've said this for 3 years. You run MAN coverage on 3/15 on their 30 yd line? Guess what happened...guess? DGN TD...70 yd pass. HORRIBLE!!!!

There are some of the best coaches on Yorks Sideline absent these to so-called coaches
These kids at York and the Elmhurst Community deserve so much better than what these idiots did tonight

HORRIBLE and i feel for these kids.

 

[Magnum Opus]

One.last thing
..credit to DGS on a great win! Absolute class group of players, coaches and fans! This is a well coached team with talent. Just get your kicker kicking!

 

[SMC34]

Who was the York QB in the 2nd half?

 

[Magnum Opus]

Who was the York QB in the 2nd half?

Kote

 

[Cross Bones]

Good win for the Mustangs. Looks like they may get back into the post season.

 

[OPRF Illini 96]

I was greatly impressed with Willowbrook QB Sam Tumilty, that kid is a pure gamer. He never came off the field against OPRF and was very effective on both sides of the ball. As a QB, he made some nice throws and is a shifty runner. I can see how Willowbrook has gotten to the state quarterfinals the past three seasons - they have terrific two-way athletes and are well-coached. The Warriors should easily win the Gold Division and make another deep postseason run.

As for OPRF, I don't know what has happened with the offense, particularly Jaden McGill. I suspect opposing defenses are heavily keyed on him, forcing him to try and beat them with the pass. I thought he had improved his arm strength, but most of his passes are screens or quick-hitters. At some point, you have to test teams downfield. McGill finished with -10 yards rushing on 13 carries last night - I must also give credit to the Willowbrook defense; the Warriors are simply solid and disciplined across the board.

I interviewed John Hoerster after the game, and he's not happy at all with his Huskies. He's not making any excuses for his team's youth and feels the issues are more mental than physical.

What I thought was a lock game at LT next week certainly isn't any more. And you know the Lions want revenge for last year's 49-0 drubbing at OPRF.

 

[Nape]

@kitty_bintingot .....it looks like Central and the Hitters are the class of the WSS. Who do you have winning it?

Watching The vs Cincy today I noticed Alec Pierce. I remember him from the first round GBW/NV in 2017. That was a semi-final matchup in the first round and he was far and away the best player on the field. Stud. Luke Fickell has built a good program on Price Hill and Alec is 100% a Fickell player. It’s always great to see local kids do well.

 

[tmjgrady]

Was at the York/DGS game. Im going to fianlly just come out and say it:

Yorks Head Coach is a complete FRAUD! Horrible game plan, horrible leadership, horrible oversight of your coaches, no wisdom and complete arrogance as to who he thinks he is. He throws with a 5'9 qb who basically gave DGS the game in the 1st half rather than playing his strength. They pulled him and put in the kid that should have been playing all along who is absolute lightening. This is a team that is made to RUN with 1400lbs of experienced linemen and passing should be limited to play action passing...PERIOD!!!! Instead, i think he thinks hes playing Madden 2019 and might have thrown the ball 40+ times. His playbook is more important than his players.

Further, their D Coordinator shouldnt be coaching and I've said this for 3 years. You run MAN coverage on 3/15 on their 30 yd line? Guess what happened...guess? DGN TD...70 yd pass. HORRIBLE!!!!

There are some of the best coaches on Yorks Sideline absent these to so-called coaches
These kids at York and the Elmhurst Community deserve so much better than what these idiots did tonight

HORRIBLE and i feel for these kids.

While I disagree with the harshness of this post, I too was left scratching my head on several fronts. Not sure why the York D played the final 3rd and 9 play like it was a goal-line stand - they could have backed off their small but athletic LB's a bit and allowed DGS a few yards and forced a punt - once the RB was though the line of scrimmage, it was an easy 10 yards and game over. I think there was a very short 4th down with 9 minutes remaining and us down 2 scores-- and a punt? The Dukes did have a nice 4th and long conversion with a double hook n' lateral. Not all Max's fault - they did play a lot better with a sense of urgency as do most teams. The D also got suckered a couple times with passes by DGS when their 3 back set. Kids played hard!

 

[Magnum Opus]

While I disagree with the harshness of this post, I too was left scratching my head on several fronts. Not sure why the York D played the final 3rd and 9 play like it was a goal-line stand - they could have backed off their small but athletic LB's a bit and allowed DGS a few yards and forced a punt - once the RB was though the line of scrimmage, it was an easy 10 yards and game over. I think there was a very short 4th down with 9 minutes remaining and us down 2 scores-- and a punt? The Dukes did have a nice 4th and long conversion with a double hook n' lateral. Not all Max's fault - they did play a lot better with a sense of urgency as do most teams. The D also got suckered a couple times with passes by DGS when their 3 back set. Kids played hard!

But we're both pissed...you are alliwed to say it. I don't blame that kid btw and im sorry of it seemed like i did. His father has influenced this prgram and especially the Head Coach to a point where they all are pitting him in a terrible position. I feel for that kid. There is absolutely a role he needs to play, but NOT 40 passes a game with this team. Play your strength 1st...throw when needed.

 

[kitty_bintingot]

@kitty_bintingot .....it looks like Central and the Hitters are the class of the WSS. Who do you have winning it?

At this point it's still hard to tell. But here's some relevant info and my intuitions: HC may have lost their middle backer last night and so the defense is going to have to do some soul searching to maintain its identity if they are to go forward without him. For those in the know of the sensitive details, the potential loss of this kid is worth grieving over. Everyone in the HC football community is shaken about it and prays for good MRI results. If not, it will be a serious mental challenge for some of the kids not to play alongside him. But I think they'll find resolve in any case. The would be next man to step up isn't a kid who hasn't taken the program seriously and who has good size and is athletic. So I think the HC defense will keep them competitive just about come what may, including versus GW.

HC offense still has not found itself. QB1's timing with the WR corp is not yet in tune, but I am not so worried about this. He has a serious arm and the WRs are no nonsense guys who have good size/speed and don't drop what they shouldn't. The schedule has really done them good insofar as they took lots of reps vs Morton, and will get many more vs H South next week before the WSS gauntlet begins. More concerning is the run game. The o-coordinators seem not to have settled on what exactly the 'go-to' running scheme is to be. The front 5 o-line is good and well-coached (the new o-line coach from Marist might be the most unsung success story regarding HC football gossip). They move well/are well-sized/scrappy and have gelled. But there are some question marks regarding the horses in the stable and what schemes they're ultimately going to settle on. This is more a concern b/c the passing attack won't reach peak performance no matter what so long as they don't establish a ground game. They've got some time to figure it out, but time is ticking. Such questions and potential changes to the schemes do not exist over at Duchon. They've got the next 5 weeks to hone craft. And as it stands that's a big advantage for them.

That all said it's at least looking like it'll be a competitive game come come week 8. But so much happens in between now and then that's it's still too hard to feel confident about much at all. Hope you found this helpful.

Edit: I may be being too hard on HC O. I should stress that QB1 looks pretty darn good both running and passing (4 pass TDs and 3 run TDs so far). Not sure when the last time was we’ve had this versatile a QB. He’s much, much bigger with stronger legs and stronger arm than when Whitelaw was a junior. Check him out.

 

[chuck998]

Just wanted to share a few comments about the GW O-line. Wow, well done! Very impressed with where these guys are through week 2. There's always room for improvement, but this group is really starting to click.

 

[Magnum Opus]

Kitty....Time for Week 3. Let's all let the pain of week 2 subside.