The Chicago White Sox changes into wait until next year, following their ouster from the Major League Baseball playoffs Tuesday, three games to one, by talented Houston.
The Sox have built a solid group and if they stay together will advance beyond the first round. Every team in the playoffs has quality attached to its name. Only one team wins the World Series.
Certainly Tony LaRussa proved his worth as a manager, even at age 76 and 77. The manager is a member of the Hall of Fame, so it should not have been surprising. He was fit both physically and mentally. He should be back for two more seasons.
• Nonetheless high school sports continues in the Autumn and football teams have their sites set on the playoffs which will begin October 29.
Head coach Bill Ellinghaus of Neuqua Valley sees his first place team in the DuPage Valley Conference, “The team playing as one. The players look out or each other and pick each other up. If we have a bad offensive series the defense or special teams pick us up. The same can be said for the offense if we get into a bad situation with field position our offense has been able to out and change the field. Overall just a bunch of playing hard for one another, some great football players, and guys who love the game.”
Neuqua Valley defeated District 204 rival Waubonsie Valley, 28-0, Friday.
• The DuPage Valley’s final week, October 22, will find the No. 2 team in the standings playing at No. 1, and No. 4 at No. 3, and No. 6 at No. 5. The DuPage Valley is one of the most viewed conferences in The Voice area. If not the DuPage Valley then perhaps the Southwest Prairie West.
• Batavia defeated a resurgent Geneva, 35-0, in a neighborhood game that has become one-sided. Batavia won in the series for the 11th success time and has thrown a shutout the last five times n a row. The offensive line has played well for Batavia just as has the defense. “We believe in a healthy rotation,” said assistant offensive line coach Alvin Cole. “We stress linemen playing all three positions where possible. Senior Spencer Prats has been a great vocal leader. Along with fellow seniors, Macguire Moss (center) and Will Hohmann (tackle), Spencer let’s his actions on the field do the talking for the hard work put in both n and out of the season.” The line has a multitude of sophomores on the offensive line. The offense proved successful with 23 first downs against Geneva.
Oswego will play host to District 308 rival Oswego East Friday in a crosstown battle. Oswego, which de feted West Aurora, 26-7, Friday, 3-0 in the Southwest Prairie West and 5-2 overall. Oswego East is 6-1 and 2-1. Oswego East defeated Yorkville, 14-7, Friday. Oswego head coach Brian Cooney said, “Out strong point this year, lately, has been our ability to run the ball.” Oswego leads the series with Oswego East, 14-1.
• Yorkville head coach Dan McGuire on the defeat at the hands of Oswego East: “The difference was special teams and out penalties on offense.”
• West Aurora head coach Nate Eimer puts it on the line “It is a playoff game this week (against visiting Plainfield North). Win, or, no playoffs.” Against Oswego, Eimer said, “We went up, 7-3, (Oswego) had a big kick return, they score, we fumble, really the difference.”
• Sean Drendel of Naperville North on the comeback victory, 31-28, against Metea Valley: “We came back after being down by 14 points with three minutes to go in the third quarter. It was a 43-yard field goal as time expired. Our players were resilient to keep playing when we struggled early. A couple of defensive adjustments at halftime helped the offense.”