Expectations and variations are a part of the sports world. There is no denying they constitute preparations, games, and results.
As soon as we thought losing streaks, which twice reached 11 games in a row for the flailing Chicago Cubs, would occur again the for the reconstituted players, the downtrodden, losing expectations turned to a winning streak. The Cubs won seven straight games and moved to respectability. The streak ended with Cincinnati’s 4-3 victory Tuesday evening, however, hope springs eternal for another winning streak.
High school football variations: The Upstate Eight Conference games Friday last week reflected the contrast which exists in football. Four of the five games were lopsided: South Elgin, 58, East Aurora 0; Larkin 56, Fenton, 0; Glenbard East, 37, Elgin, 6; Glenbard South, 56, West Chicago 0. One close game was a close, scoring, bonanza: Bartlett 59, Streamwood, 58, in a District U-46 game.
College football notes: Northern Illinois broke the mold of last season’s 0-6 record in the first of the season, in a late 22-21 victory against Georgia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Variation and expectation were shattered for some observers.
There have been big games in high school football all ready with strong teams playing other strong teams early in the nine-game schedule.:
• Batavia High School moved to 2-0 with a 21-13 victory against host Oswego Friday, after trailing 13-0 at halftime. Batavia will play host, Friday, Sept. 19, to Wheaton North, 2-0, in an opener of a DuKane Conference game.
• Oswego moved to 0-2 after starting against Neuqua Valley of the DuPage Valley Conference in week one. Neuqua Valley won, 37-26. Oswego head coach Brian Cooney said, “We’ve seen consistent progress and improvement throughout the course of the past two weeks. Even though we have taken two losses, there is improvement. I have yet to see this team play anything close to their best.” Oswego will play at Romeoville Friday. Romeoville was forced to cancel it game Friday at West Aurora because of COVID-19. West Aurora picked up a Friday game late Wednesday with Eisenhower.
• Eisenhower prevailed, 35-34. West Aurora head coach Nate Eimer said he is pleased with, “The way our team has handled adversity and continued to play hard no matter the circumstances.” West Aurora will play game three Friday against visiting Plainfield Central, 2-0.
• Expectations? One of the strongest programs the last 15 years, Lincoln-Way East fell to host Naperville Central, 20-17, Friday that will energize the host Redhawks.
• Notes: Geneva is off to a 2-0 start and will play at Glenbard North, 2-0, Friday in the DuKane Conference. Glenbard North defeated Naperville North last week, 36-31. Rivalries Friday will include Plano at Sandwich; Downers Grove North at Downers Grove South; and Lyons at Hinsdale Central.
• Good to see the fruition of the Judson University of Elgin in its initial game in its history Friday against victorious Taylor (Ind.), 42-26, at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville.