Competitive sports by definition lives by the mantra that many are called and few are chosen. North Central College’s football team will play Friday evening in the Stagg Bowl, in its first D-III football National championship game in school history. The long, winding, road to Shenandoah, Texas actually did not begin this season. It is a culmination of a combined 18 years with the father-son head coaching tandem of John Thorne and Jeff Thorne.
When John Thorne arrived in 2002 the Cardinals won six games, the most in 15 years of frustration. He gave up success in high school as head coach at Wheaton Central, then Wheaton Warrenville High School. Jeff Thorne was a successful high school quarterback who played for his father. When the move was made to North Central College, Steve Thorne brought along Jeff Thorne as the offensive coordinator. Steve Thorne, who taught chemistry in high school, retired after the 2014 season and Jeff Thorne, in his fifth season as the head coach, continued the pace of success in 2015.
“This (championship game) is a culmination of 18 years may father started n 2002. It has been exiting. This growth has been exciting. We see it as a new normal.”
North Central will play Wisconsin Whitewater in the championship game which will be broadcast on ESPNU television. “We have been good on offense and defense. (Quarterback) Broc Rutter has been the leader, however, our offensive line has been special. We have added personnel and continue to improve.”
Thorne gave credit to his defense for the semifinal victory, 45-14, over previously undefeated Muhlenberg (Pa.) College.
North Central was given the championship treatment with a send of by charter buses late Tuesday afternoon to the airport and a trip to Texas. The College marching band was set to leave at 6;30 a.m. Thursday for to perform at the game.
College football fans, including many fans in northern Illinois will be watching on television in championship fever.
• Meanwhile, boys high school basketball picks up steam with upcoming natural rivalries, and first-place showdowns. High school holiday/Christmas tournaments will begin Saturday, Monday, Thursday, Dec. 26.
East Aurora High School head coach Rick Robinson is enthusiastic for a first-pace battle at Glenbard East in the Upstate Eight Conference Friday. Other rivalry games Friday will include Batavia at Geneva, St. Charles North at St. Charles East, and Wheaton North at Wheaton Warrenville.
East Aurora improved to 3-0 in the Upstate Eight and 6-3 overall Monday with a comeback rally to defeat visiting South Elgin, 78-71, in overtime.
“Amarion Savage (a junior guard) had a breakout game,” Robinson said. “He scored 26 points, nine in the fourth quarter and nine in overtime. We were down 47-31 after three quarters and outscored (South Elgin) 32-16, in the fourth quarter.
“Now we are tied for first place with Glenbard East, both undefeated in conference, and we will play there (in Lombard) Friday. We match up pretty well. Neither team has big guys. If we can win, that would put us 4-0 in conference and give us momentum into the holiday tournament.”
East Aurora will be host to its 54 annual tournament Monday Thursday, Dec. 26, Friday, Dec. 27, and Saturday, Dec. 28. Other teams will include Neuqua Valley, Aurora Central Catholic, Downers Grove North, Metea Valley, Joliet Catholic Academy, Plainfield Central, and Wheat Academy.
Tournaments which will begin Saturday include Glenbard West, Jacobs, and Marengo. Other tournament which will begin Monday include Hinsdale Central and Wheeling.
• Waubonsie Valley will enter Friday undefeated and 7-0 overall. Head coach Jason Mead: “We are playing together as a team and have some depth. We have numerous scorers and we play decent defense.” Waubonsie Valley will play in the Jacobs tournament.
• Geneva (5-2 overall and 1-1 in the DuKane head coach Scott Hennig: “(Batavia) is well-coached, plays hard, and has multiple guys who can shoot the three. My guys have been playing hard and continue to shoot well from the field.
• St. Charles North, 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the DuKane, will play at St. Charles East, 5-2 overall and 2-0. The excitment is building.