The controversy over whether Ohio State was robbed or Clemson was vindicated in the replay of an apparent Ohio State touchdown in the college football playoff semifinal will live on in perpetuity. The honest answer the call comes down to the eye of the beholder. It was that close whether Clemson receiver had possession of the pass in the third quarter, or, whether Ohio State had a fumble recovery and touchdown stolen. Clemson won, 29-23, in a game that Ohio State led, 16-0 in the second quarter. It turned out to be a game for the ages and a game which likely will transcend next season for the partisans.
The larger point in college football playoffs is that there should be eight teams to start the playoffs, not four teams. It will ever be thus for this observer. Some day the college football leaders may be forced into an eight-team playoff. Certainly this year’s No. 5 Georgia fans will say Amen.
• The North Central College excitement in its road to the Division III National championship this season, its first, is testimony to the championship excitement. Although ranked in the top 10 all season, North Central fell to CCIW’s Wheaton College during the regular season. In the format of taking the top four teams, North Central would not have been in the field to pursue a championship. The Division III playoffs provide just as much excitement and build up to the countdown as does the Division I four-team playoff.
There is more genuine athletic pride in Division III than Division I. There is more professionalism in Division I.
• It’s basketball time, college and high school: Given the excitement in D-III football we have to think a focus on D-III basketball is order. In Division I, the Big Ten Conference race is wide open, with more than a few favorites capable of winning the championship and taking a firm grip on a high seed in the 68-team postseason tournament.
• Aurora Christian won the small school, 16-team boys basketball tournament in Bloomington/Normal in the State Farm, 64-team boys and girls tournaments. Aurora Christian won four games in the tournament and defeated Rockford Lutheran, 62-56, in the championship game Monday, Along the way Aurora Christian defeated Stanford Olympia, Quincy Notre Dame, each by more than 25 points, and defeated No. 1 seeded Winnebago, 68-54, in a semifinal game. Danny New scored a game-high 25 points against Winnebago. Aurora Christian improved to a 9-2 record with the championship.
• In State Farm big-school tournament, Wheaton Warrenville South took second place in the 16-team tournament. The Tigers fell to No. 2 seeded Rock Island, 61-43, Monday evening. Wheaton Warrenville defeated Plainfield South, Harlem, and Metamora to gain the championship game. Metamora defeated No. 1 seeded Normal Community, 37-36.
• At East Aurora’s 54th annual tournament: Neuqua Valley defeated Wheaton Academy, 68-52, in the championship game. Downers Grove North defeated Plainfield Central, 62-49, for third place, East Aurora defeated Metea Valley, 48-46, for fifth place, and Joliet Catholic Academy defeated Aurora Central Catholic, 72-54, for seventh place.
• Other tournament champions: Curie over Bloom at Pontiac, Peoria Notre Dame over Burlington Central, 62-46, Chicago King over Kaneland, 57-49, for third place, and Northridge over Yorkville Christian, 71-70 at Plano.